Isabelle Florence “Red” Youpee, age 62, of Poplar, MT passed away August 23, 2009 at Frances Mahon Deaconess Hospital in Glasgow, MT.
Florence was born to William “Bill” Youpee, Sr. and Isabel Floretta Weinberger September 25, 1946 in Portland, OR. She attended her early school years in Vancouver, WA and Portland, OR and graduated from Poplar High School, Poplar, MT in 1964 as Salutatorian of her class. She also attended the University of Oregon in Eugene and the University of Montana in Missoula.
Florence worked for a time in Phoenix, AZ, Billings, MT and Washington, DC but devoted most of her life to work on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation. She worked at Montana Legal Services in Wolf Point for many years and, most recently, worked for thirteen years at Spotted Bull Treatment Center in Poplar.
Florence was a lay advocate, involved in “Get Out the Indian Vote,” Montana ACLU and Red Hat Society, and was also a notary public.
Florence was a magnet for those who needed help, advice or guidance. She fought for the rights of anyone who asked and was a lifelong advocate for a tribal government for and of the people. She closely followed the examples set by her parents. Her family meant a lot to her and her proudest moment was watching her daughter, April, graduate from Harvard. Florence collected maps, oil lamps and loved computers and new technology.
Florence is preceded in death by her son, William “Billy” Long; father, William Youpee, Sr.; mother, Isabel Weinberger; grandparents, Helen & Joe Brushhorn and George & Ida Turning Bear Weinberger; and brothers, William Youpee, Jr. and Thomas Daniel Youpee.
She is survived by daughters, April Youpee-Roll of Poplar, and Jonelle Long and Jennifer Long, both of AZ; brothers and sisters, Williamette (Larry) Bussard of Salinas, CA, Helen (George) Ricker and Allen Youpee of Poplar, Dwight Youpee of Santa Barbara, CA, Josi Youpee & Réné Martell, Lori LaFromboise and Gretchen Youpee, all of Poplar, Cary (Linda) Youpee of Helena, MT and Marvin (Ranae) Youpee of Poplar; adopted brother and sister, Albert “Greek” Culbertson and Joan Broomfield both of Poplar; special cousins, Aileen Red Bird Moses and Susan Red Bird Jackson, both of Portland; uncles, Jim Youpee of Brockton, MT and Lloyd Youpee of Poplar; aunts, Loretta Black Dog Bear Cub of Fort Kipp, MT and Winona Weinberger of Poplar; many cousins and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
An Evening Service will be 7:00 p.m. Sunday, August 30, 2009 at Lindsay Memorial Presbyterian Church, Poplar. Funeral Service will be at 10:00 a.m. Monday, August 31, 2009 at Poplar Cultural Center. Inurnment will follow at the Youpee Family Cemetery.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.