Myrna Greufe

Myrna Archdale Greufe, beloved matriarch of the Archdale family entered into heaven in the early morning hours of January 30th, 2025. She was born on August 2nd, 1930, to James and Rose Fighter Archdale in their log cabin home in Oswego, Montana. Mother and new baby daughter were then taken by wagon to the hospital in Wolf Point to receive care.

On January 20th 1951, she was united in marriage to Harold Francis Greufe of Lustre, Montana. To this union three daughters were born, Judith Lynn, Suzanne Marie, and Feryl Kaye. They enjoyed nearly 62 years of marriage, during which the family were treated to vacations to the mountains and parks of Montana, and the Black Hills of South Dakota, along with camping and picnicking weekends at Fort Peck Lake, and a smattering of pow-wows, until the girls were married and created their own families.

Together, Myrna and Harry enjoyed ministry whenever the opportunity presented itself, leading many to the Lord, ensuring their entry into the pearly gates. After Harry’s passing, she continued to pray for any who asked and often for those less fortunate. It is unknown how many souls are in heaven because of Myrna and Harry. Throughout her life Myrna was a mentor to many and continued in ministry with her niece Kathleen Ventura. Along with Harry, she was a pillar of the Assembly of God Church in Poplar.

Myrna was a loyal employee of the Fort Peck Tribes who witnessed many changes over the years. It is believed that she worked nearly 50 years for the Tribes, but there is no longer anyone who can confirm the exact number. Her role for most of her career was secretary to the Chairman, and using her stenographic skills, recording secretary for council meetings. During one particular legal action in the 1970s, the Tribes’ attorney, Marvin Sonosky, dictated a legal paper to her, which she then transcribed, typed, and formatted perfectly. He was so impressed with her work, that he offered her a job at his practice in Washington, D.C.

Myrna was an excellent baker, she specialized in making apple pies, cinnamon rolls, Swedish tea rings, and cream puffs. She used the method of using her hands as measuring cups for the flour for pie making and taught her niece Linda this method. Two of her daughters and a grandson followed in her footsteps and make excellent pies although they do use measuring cups.

Mom was of the Hudesana clan and a direct descendant of Assinniboine Chief, Got Wolf Tail and Walking Blue Mane, who were parents of twins Chief Red Dog and Black Dog, father of old Jim Black Dog of Ft. Kipp, and her storied great grandmother Kills in the Woods Woman (Susan Old Rock). Her paternal grandparents were Henry Archdale of Ft. Peck and Mary Pipe Woman Blacktail of Ft. Belknap. Maternal grandmothers were Comes Out Fighter and Makes Cloud Fighter. Maternal grandfather was old man Fighter. She was cousin to Wolf Point’s Beebs Adams family, and her relatives are the Flynns, Grandchamps, Corprons, Coxes, the Lottie Boyd family, the George Boyd children, Bear Cubs, Buck Elks, Young Bears, Cantrells, Long Hairs, Loans Arrows, Rattling Thunders, Mails, Cains, Smiths, Spindlers, and Kirns and of course, all of the Archdales in and around the Ft. Peck Reservation.

Myrna leaves behind two daughters, Suzanne (Courtney) Smith, and Feryl Archdale-Greufe. Surviving grandchildren are Orin Alexander, Ryan Alexander, Rose (TJ) Clevenger, Luke Bighorn, John Daniel (Arin) Grainger and Lainie Grainger and granddaughter-in-law Mary Baker. Great-grandchildren Adreanna Pryor, Camryn Azure, Chelsea and Kristina Belle Alexander, Lita, Bayzel, Courtney and Ryan Alexander, Shontel Shaw, Isaiah Alexander, Grace and Sandra Clevenger, Dane Fivecrows-Bighorn, Jackson, Hannah, and Aubrey Grainger, Katelyn and Kenan Chapman, and Gabriel Pedraza. Seven great-great grandchildren also survive. Nephew and nieces are Percy “Butch” Bear, Anita Bauer, Linda Atchico, and Kathleen Ventura and their families and adopted son Lyle Denny. Archdale family nieces are Florence White Eagle, Karen Mcglaughlin, Nadine Adams, Andrea Adams, Marcia “Petesey) Girard, and nephews Rodney “Hoke” Adams, Darin Adams. Only two of her generation of Archdale cousins remain, Julia Archdale, and Annette Linder. She also has many Greufe nieces and nephews she loved.

Preceding her in death are her parents Jim and Rose, husband Harry, daughter Judy Brown, grandsons Royce Baker, Eric Craft, and James Alexander, granddaughter Sherry Baker, great grandchildren Ryan R. Alexander, Natalie R. Alexander, Anthony Baker, and Joslyn Baker. Many Archdale uncles and aunties also passed as well as uncle Jack Fighter. Siblings who preceded her are Percy Archdale, Susan Archdale-Warrior and Evelyn Archdale Redthunder niece, and grandsons Lee Atchico and Dale Bear, and great-granddaughter Ashley Atchico. Her uncles on the Archdale side are Ed “Heavy”, Freddie, Sammy, and others whose names we unfortunately can’t recall. Her cousins Tug and Calvin Archdale, Naomi “Beebs” Adams, Thale Flagen, Barbara Flynn, Beulah Gill, Alice Corpron, Leta Melbourne, and her special nieces and nephews, Mickey Failing, Carol Redthunder, and Larry Greufe, John Mceneanny, and adopted son Glenn Quintero are also in heaven. Myrna best friends, Bernice Cummins and Marie Summers were with the many who were waiting for her in heaven.

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