Josephine Willett Youngman, “Wamdi Mah’piya Win” was born May 28th 1978 to Curtis Dean Gray and Ilona Jo Youpee in Poplar, MT. She passed away Thursday June 23rd, 2016 after a brief battle with liver disease due to alcohol.
Josephine attended schools in various places, El Reno, Oklahoma, Chubbuc, Idaho, Poplar, MT and Graduating at Harlem High School, Harlem MT. While in Poplar Schools she participated in Choir and Band. She was all state for both choir and band. She marched at the Copper Bowl in Tuscon, MT with the band and attended a Denver Broncos Football game, though her love was the Pittsburgh Steelers and Atlanta Braves baseball. Josephine was honored to carry the American Flag during a home game at Poplar High School. She was very patriotic.
Josephine met and married Frederick Wilkie, Sr in Fort Belknap and to this union were born Frederick “Sonny” Wilkie, Jr, Nathan “Nate” Wilkie, Joey Daelynn WIlkie. She loved her children very deeply. They lived in Killeen, Texas, Baker, MT and Havre, MT.
She worked briefly at Arbys in Elko, Nevada while living with her in-laws, while her husband served in the Army. Josephine loved her rides in the country and loved to dig turnips. She loved her music and Indian music.
Josephine had many friends in her life, her group in Poplar was Tolley Red Eagle, Vernice Chopper, Raven Teboe, Veronica Castro, Amber Buckles from grade school. Josephine is also survived by her special friend and companion Kenda Stuem.
Josephine is survived by her children Frederick Wilkie Jr., Nathan and Joey Daelynn Wilkie all of Belcourt, ND. Her mother Ilona Jo Youpee Mathews of Poplar, MT and Curtis Dean Gray of Rocky Boy, MT.
Sisters Marise Headdress, Carly Sioux Clincher, Charley Red Elk, all of Poplar, MT. Gwen and Gina Youpee. Leilani Jenelle Stewart, Kristy Gray Boy, Alice, Stephanie, Darlene, Caroline Gray Boy of Rocky Boy, MT. Traci Longtree of Poplar, MT. Tanya Mc Namara, Nataria & Regina Mathews of South Australia; Brothers Clifford Country, Vern and Randy Red Elk of Poplar, MT.; Siblings: Chelsea and Oscar Dean Gray Boy; Aunties Georgia Red Eagle, Joanne Browning,of Poplar, Baby Rae of Rocky Boy. Marian and Carol Clincher, Mary Youpee, Pauline Youpee, Burma and Corrinia Youpee of Poplar. Grace, Anna Pipe and Jackie Pipe Chase of Wolf Point; Uncles John Youpee, Terry Youpee, Coma Roy, Merle Boyd Youpee, Oregon. Charles Jr, Wesley, Marvin, Reese GrayBoy, Leland Stewart of Rocky Boy, MT and Herman Red Elk III, of Poplar. Leroy Youpee Jr., Loyde, Allen Shephard, Henry, Bernard, & James Youpee; Grandmothers Florence Eagleman (Wospi), Poplar MT, Hallie Gray of Ft, Belknap, MT. Desma Mathews of Crystal Brook; Grandfathers Mike Youngman, and Lloyd Youpee, of Poplar, MT, Larry Wetsit of Wolf Point, MT. Ken Riding Bird of Rocky Boy, MT.
Preceded in death by Maternal Grandparents Josephine and Leroy Youpee Sr., Great- grandmother Helen Brushorn of Poplar, Paternal Grandparents Charles and Caroline Gray Boy. Aunt Bonnie Red Elk of Poplar, MT who raised her like a daughter. Uncle Lyndon Gray Boy Sr. of Rocky Boy, MT, Uncles Dennis Ray Youpee, and Dale Fritz Youpee of Poplar, MT. Step father Phillip “Pud” Mathews of So. Australia.
Josephine lived in various places and was loved by everyone who met her. She had an infectious smile and laugh. Her humor and wit will never be matched.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Saturday, June 25 at the Cultural Center in Poplar. A funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Sunday, June 26 at the Cultural Center in Poplar. Interment will follow at the Rocky Boy Cemetery on the Rocky Boy reservation. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.