Nurna Lee Azure “Sister” “White Winter Woman”, age 70, of Wolf Point, Montana died November 4, 2008 at the Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point.
Born on January 7, 1938 in Glasgow, MT to Emma Redd Squires Beauchman and Clifford Squires.
Nurna was married to Alfred Melbourne in August of 1957 together they had three children. Alfred died in August of 1973. She later married Roy Azure, Jr. together they had one child. They were later divorced.
Nurna was a single parent most of her life, raising her four children and taking in foster children, one who she raised as her own. She also helped raise her grandchildren.
She attended schools in Wolf Point and Flandreau, SD, graduating from Wolf Point High School.
Nurna worked as a nurse’s aid at Trinity Hospital for many years. Through the encouragement of Dr. Knapp, she attended nursing school and obtained her LPN license in Sidney, MT in 1973. She returned to work as a nurse at Trinity Hospital for several years. In 1978 she then went to work for the Tribal Health CHR program.
She worked full time and continued her education. She earned her bachelor’s degree in 1984 through NAES College. Through the CHR program she became a certified EMS First Responder providing First Aide Services at the powwows for many years. She retired due to health after about 25 years as a CHR.
She served as committee member on several local powwows including the Wolf Point Omaha powwow and later the Wolf Point Wadopana powwow, Poplar’s Iron Ring powwow and the very first Poplar Indian Days powwow.
Nurna enjoyed working on crossword puzzles, spending time with her family and friends. Her greatest joy was her grandchildren and her great grandchildren, especially watching them dance at the powwows.
Nurna was preceded in death by her parents, brothers Emmett Buckles & Marvin Squires, and baby sister Eloise Buckles, son Emerson Melbourne and son-in-law Jose Martinez.
She is survived by her children Leigh Melbourne, Rynette Martinez, Kelly Azure and Sonia(David) Martell all of Wolf Point; Sisters Margie Squires of Wolf Point, Vonda (Larry) Brewster of Billings, MT; Brother Denzel Squires of Wolf Point; a special adopted sister & brother Terry Thompson of Poplar, MT and Dave Rossi of Glendive, MT.
Nurna had 7 grandsons Paul (Twila), DJ, Nathaniel, Joey, John Henry, Ian, and Leslie, 2 granddaughters Ember (Jeromy) and Kiah; 6 great grandsons Cody, JJ, Cole, Jacy, Jaxon and Tyler; and 1 great granddaughter Jaylee “Sister”, and numerous nieces and nephews.
Viewing will be 1:00 – 7:00 pm Friday, November 7, 2008 with a prayer service starting at 7:00 pm at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel.
Funeral services will be at 10:00 am Saturday, November 8, 2008 at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, officiated by the LDS Church. Burial will be at Chicken Hill Cemetery.