Maurice (Moose) Lambert (Walking Elk), age 54, of Wolf Point, Montana, said good-bye to family and friends on Friday, July 11, 2008 at Trinity Hospital in Wolf Point.
Moose was born on November 7, 1953 in Poplar, Montana, to Bernard (Barney) and Sybil (Bighorn) Lambert. He attended the Barbara Gilligan Elementary School and graduated from Brockton High School in 1972. Moose participated in various sports, but his favorite was basketball. He and his brother, Ernie Joe, played together throughout their grade school and high school years and continued to play on the independent basketball circuit for years. Moose scored over 40 points per game numerous times during his high school career and all-tournament teams. After graduation, he attended Minot State, Northern Montana College and Rocky Mountain College.
Moose and Marshelle Garfield were married on August 11, 1977. Two daughters were born: Danelle Rose on February 3, 1978 and Maurie Kristin on April 22, 1982. His granddaughters Eden, Haley and Erin were his pride and joy—the light of his life.
Moose began his work career as an employee of the Northern Border Pipeline. He was involved in a car accident in 1982 that resulted in his being a paraplegic, but this did not stop Moose. With the support of his wife, Marshelle, family, friends, and lots of prayers, Moose rebounded. He began his career at the Fort Peck Housing Authority in 1985 as a trainee and worked his way up to Executive Director until the time of his death. He was named HUD Housing Authority Executive Director of the Year during his term with FPHA.
Moose was born to hunt—he loved the outdoors, whether or not he brought home any game. His brother, E.J., teased Moose that he shot more “Big Bucks” while in a wheelchair than he did when he walked. He enjoyed hunting with his brothers, E.J. and Big “B”, nephews, Baby John, Charlie, Wilfred and Cory, grandson, Joseph, and brothers-in-law, Sammy and Chuck as well as friends like Bruce (Cubby) Damon, Elmer DeCoteau, Tommy Escarsega, Lawrence Hamilton and Jamie Melton. Moose was never short of hunting partners.
Moose is preceded in death by his father Barney; his sister, Tammy Jo; father-in-law, Dan Garfield, Sr.; brother-in-law, Douglas Garfield; and grandmother, Grace Lambert.
He is survived by his wife, Marshelle Lambert of Wolf Point; daughter, Danelle (Melvin) and granddaughters, Eden and Haley of Rapid City, SD; daughter, Maurie (B.J.) and granddaughter Erin Ricker of Wolf Point, MT; and mother, Sybil Lambert of Brockton, MT. He is also survived by his brothers, Bernard (Desiree) Lambert of Brockton, and Ernie Joe (Tammy Marie) Lambert of Belcourt, ND; his sisters, Bernadine Pease of Billings, MT, Annette Lambert of Brockton, and Susan (Val) Parker of Wolf Point; Uncle Vern and Val Lambert of Ft. Totten, ND; mother-in-law, Agnes Garfield of Wolf Point; brothers-in-law, Dan (Dixie) Garfield of Shephard, MT, Chuck (Janice) Garfield, Larry (Sheena) Garfield, Leon (Ruth) Garfield all of Wolf Point and Vance (Clairanne) Garfield of Kansas; sisters-in-law, Joan Small of Wolf Point, Cleo Shumway of Reno, NV, Cecilia (Hyram) Peters of Billings, Nancy (Randy) Nordwick, and Desiree Garfield both of Wolf Point; Godchildren, Shaylene Garfield, Jarid Lambert, Dionne Zoanni, Chloe Headswift and Joseph Mikkelsen; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.
Moose was a big man with a big, big heart. He loved life and had an incredible sense of humor. Moose said he was prepared for this final journey and quickly left this earthly existence to begin his walk home. Moose loved his family and friends. He worked hard to make life better for those he cared about, including the well-being and living conditions for members of the Fort Peck Tribes.
He will be greatly and truly missed by all who loved and cared for him.
Visitation for Maurice (Moose) Lewis Lambert will be held Monday, July 14, 2008 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point starting at 1:00 p.m. with a Vigil service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday, July 15, 2008 at 10:00 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in Wolf Point with Fr. Steve Zabrocki as Celebrant. Interment will follow at Greenwood 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.