Ida Ruth Thomas Moran, beloved wife, mother, daughter, sister and friend made her move early on December 29, 2021 surrounded by her loved ones.
She was born on June 13, 1964 to Mike Thomas, Sr. and Fonda Crystal Bighorn. She was a little shy, but that didn’t stop her from “apple Ida” mascot for the 1968 Brockton Warriors-the article quoted saying “What’s to worry about when a gal has three big brothers on the Brockton ball club, eh Ida?” Being a social butterfly and having many cousins, brothers and sisters helped Ida develop skills she used throughout her life. She always would get on me if I teased her about being a cheerleader. But of course, she tried it as an elementary student.
She started and finished school in Brockton. In high school she excelled as a Lady Warrior. Many special memories and friends were m de during her school years. She always talked about her classmates and teammates. She talked about their Senior trip and running out of gas coming into Great Falls.
Ida started working and driving at a young age. She talked of driving her Grandpa Bill while feeding cows. Getting cursed at for popping the clutch. She talked of chasing cows with her uncle Clyde, she enjoyed sitting with her cousins Kristen, Keith and Joe, having special bonds with each of them. She worked at the drive-in for Keith Sybil. She always had a special place in her heart for them. She talked of her aunts Jackie and Alda and of a tournament or softball game they took them to, Lame Deer or Billings and stayed with them. She always respected and worried about her uncles, all of them. Babysitting was always Ida’s favorite job, she loved babies. Her little brothers and sisters were like her own children. Especially Michael, Andrew and Chuck. She worked at the pool around the time Chuck was born. She would check on the kids on her breaks. She worked for Tribal health for over 25 years as a CHR and optician. Working with the eyeglasses she knew and met many people from around the Rez and beyond. She retired when her rheumatoid arthritis started to affect her hands. She also wanted to stay home and take care of her children and grandchildren who she loved unconditionally. No matter what, it didn’t matter they all called mom or momma.
Ida accomplished many things in life. The things she was the proudest of, her family and our marriage of 37 years and 363 days, 2 days shy of 38 years.
She is survived by her husband Kent Shane Moran; mother-n-law Shirley Moran; children and grandchildren Shane (Lanie, Dane, Naya), Lane and Casey Moran, Shanni and Dorrance ( Kenzley, Hailee, Kelsyn), J’Lanie and Dwain (Brooklyn, D’Lanie);her mother Fonda Bighorn; sisters Thomasine (Shanae, Lauren Burshia), Iva and Ronnie (Baby Ronnie, Cammi, Tailey), Misty Blue (Ashlin, Amiya, Ayana, Amiria); her paternal uncles Marley, Maynard, Adrian, M. Thomas; aunts Carol, Donetta, Marilyn Thomas, Wanda Thomas, Joyce Thomas, Anna Thomas and Cynthia Thomas; her maternal uncles Ernie and James Bighorn; nephews Michael and Jason Thomas and Scotty Moran; nieces Misty Jade Thomas and Laura Moran, she loved all of her nephews and nieces with all her heart; special aunts Sybil, Jackie and Clinton Small, and Alda; special cousins Keith, Kristen, Maybelle, Champ, Shannon, Melvin, Marie, Davetta, Bonnie, Lisa, David, Cheryl, Shelly, Shaw, Dan, Paul, Leslie and Bill. She had many adopted families, you know who you are.
She is predeceased by her father Michael Thomas, whom she loved dearly; great grandparents Michael and Rosalin Thomas; grandfathers Ernie Bighorn, Sr., Richard (Winifred) Thomas, Sr. and Arthur Thomas; grandmothers Laura Thomas, Christine (Thomas) Alex, Lillian (Thomas) Mudgett, Sylvia Half Red and Mae bighorn; uncle Duane Thomas, Richard (Jinx) Thomas, Jr., Timothy Thomas, Casey Thomas, Milton Thomas; aunts Cheryl Thomas, Keo and Annie Rene Thomas; grandsons who she loved Baby Dwain and Baylor Spotted Bird, Mercy White Bear; brothers Michael and Andrew Thomas and Vincent Chuck Moran who were like her own.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.