Michael John Hotomani, age 60, of Frazer, Montana passed away Thursday, September 3, 2015 in Billings, Montana.
Mike was born to Mike Ryder and Ruth Lillian Hotomani on September 18, 1954 on the Assiniboin Reserve, Carry The Kettle First Nation, Sintaluta, Saskatchewan, Canada. Mike was a quiet, loving and gentle person. He never said a wrong word to anyone. Mike loved animals. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, playing pool and keeping track of his favorite football team, the “Saskatchewan Roughriders.” His favorite football teams were the Minnesota Vikings and the Rough Riders. He was very athletic as a young boy and continued to participate in sports until he was middle age. He would look for the family horses and he would run long distances trying to catch the horses. Mike played center field on the Frazer slow-pitch team. He could throw a ball from the home run fence and have the ball reach home plate easily. Mike, his brother Regg and cousin, Laird (Skinny Pete) Isaac played together on the same team for more than 20 years. After quitting playing ball, they all joined and played for the Wolf Point and Glasgow pool leagues.
Mike worked at A & S Industries in Poplar, Montana for a few years. He worked at the Fort Peck Tribal ranch for 11 years and also worked for Joe Day, Flynn Ranch and other area farmers and ranchers.
Mike is preceded in death by his father Mike Ryder, mother Ruth L. Hotomani, sisters Glennis Jack, Rosemary Bull Chief and Frances Jackson, brothers Terry (Buddy) Ryder, Regg Hotomani and Elvis Hotomani, step-son Henry Williams.
Mike is survived by his beloved wife of 33 years, Shirley Flynn, sister Millie Hotomani of Carry The Kettle First Nation, Saskatchewan, twin sister Meryle Montclair of Frazer, Montana and brother Gary (Cindy) Hotomani of Regina, step-daughter Marlene (Yancey) Beston, step-son Torrey Flynn, numerous cousins, nieces and nephews, special nephews Rory Hotomani and Willie Jackson, extra special grandson Kameron Beston and Emmit Jackson, extra special grandsons, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
A traditional Nakota four day feast was held at Frazer Community Hall on Sunday, September 6, 2015. A wake will be held at Frazer Community Hall on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at 4:00 p.m. Funeral will be at Frazer Community Hall on Friday, September 11, 2015 at 2:00 p.m. Burial to follow at the St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery in Frazer. According to our Nakota traditions: No children at the wake. Please respect our ways. Condolences for the family may be left at www.claytonstevensonchapel.com . Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements.