On Saturday, October 12, 2013 our beloved mother, grandmother, sister, and aunt, Lanelle R. Iron Bear, age 44, of Poplar, MT went to be with her beloved ones and the Lord.
She was born to Virgil Ricker, Sr. and Arlene Ricker on May 16, 1969. She met the love of her life, James K. Iron Bear, Sr., in July 1985. Together they had four children, Jessica, Alisa, Brittany, and James, Jr. She attended school in Poplar, Flandreau, SD, and St. Labre, MT before earning her G.E.D. from Fort Peck Community College in 1994. She then worked at the college as a G.E.D. instructor, A&S Tribal Industries, fame new program, and Poplar School. She loved spending time with her grandbabies, watching her favorite T.V. shows, doing crossword puzzles, bead, and listen to her favorite music and dancing. She also loved to bake. She always had a smile for everyone who knew her. Mom (Auntie Nell) will be greatly missed.
She is survived by the love of her life, Son Iron Bear of Poplar; children, Jess (Joe), Alisa (Ben), Brittany (Lawrence), and James Jr. (Kim) all of Poplar; brother, Virgil “Moosie” Ricker of Poplar; grandkids, Shawn, Jaymin Wise Spirit, Kyleena “Angel” Wise Spirit, Kayla, Jackie, Mary, and Jennifer Iron Bear, all of Poplar; uncles, Edgar; brothers, Cowboy and Wylan Jones of Poplar; aunts, Juanita Jones Vivian Jones of Poplar; cousins, Fritz, Farrah, Lillian, Leland, Edith, and Baby Maynard Jones, DeAnne, Earlene, Marta, Bill, and LaDonna Jones, Annie Lester, Kaylynn, Vernice Chopper, Patty and Sly Youngman, and Tiny (Sam) and Clay, all of Poplar; nephews, Bucky, Lewis, Billy, and Thomas; niece, Thresea Youngman; best friends, Jewel Merculieff, Justine Shields, Dana Lezard, and Deon Fast Horse; brothers and sisters-in-law, Gloria Buckles and family, Linda and Dave Lezard and family, Harry Iron Bear (Hokeshena) and family, Beth and Jake White Bull and family, Lonnie Iron Bear, Myra and Jon Daniels and family, Cheryl and Butch Boyd and family, Charmaine and Butch Iron Bear, Tony and Patricia Iron Bear and family; and extended families include Red Eagles and Eagle Boys.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Virgil and Arlene Ricker; sister, Bronica “Lottie” Uses Arrow; cousin, Earl “Chubbs”; uncles, Richard “Buck” , and Earl, Sr.; aunts, Mary Jane, Rita, Ester, Marie, Veronica, and Mertyle; grandmas, Gladys; and numerous other relatives. She is greatly missed by all that knew and loved her.
If we forgot anyone, we apologize, as we have many family and friends.
A rosary will be held 7 p.m. Friday, October 18 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, October 19 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Interment will follow at the St. Ann’s Cemetery in Poplar. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.