Phyliis Kaye Grey Bear Olson “Mato-Hota Wiya” (Grey Bear Woman), 62, of Poplar, MT left Sunday afternoon, February 29, 2016 surrounded by her loved ones. She was the 7 th child born to Lottie E Oldrock-Martin and Abraham A Grey Bear on July 18, 1953. The last of the Grey Bear children, Phyllis was raised in the Chelsea/Fort Kipp area. She went to school in Poplar and later in Havre, MT. She worked as a CNA at the Poplar Hospital, a dispatcher for the tribal jail, and as head cook at the Senior Citizen site. Phyllis spent her free time at tribal express visiting with friends and family. She also loved to cruise. Phyllis has 5 children, Kelly, Cerese, Mike, Judith, and Jordan, whom she fought tooth and nail for. There was quite a few on the receiving end of her wrath, sometimes her kids got the ear beating, along with her husband Robert Olson, the love her of life. They were together many years before they got married on March 12, 2004. She was also a strong believer in her traditional ways. She also worked in Alaska in the mid-80s.
She leaves behind her loving husband Robert, who was beside her through everything; children, Kelly (Joey) Frederick, Cerise, Mike (Danelle), Judith (James), and Jordan; many nephews, nieces, and grandchildren; and 4 great grandchildren, Gabriella Solan-Clark, Aubrey Martell, Braydan Smith, and Hailee Martell, whom she loved with all her heart, they were her babies; 2 sisters, Judy (Dean) Grey Bear, Ava Marin; 2 aunts, Germaine Brady of New Town, ND and Deliah Johnson of Connelle, Washington; sisters-in-law, Vivian Grey Bear of Copper Center, Alaska, Lorraine Grey Bear of Fort Totten, ND, Julia Young, and Jonelle Menz; brothers-in-law, Kenny Olsen, Keith Olson, Irvin Olson, Levi (Margaret) Olson, Allen Menz, and Lester Menz; adopted daughters, Joanne Steele and Joel Ferguson; adopted sisters, Terry and Claudia Thompson, Pauline Boxer, Marzetta Iron Bear, Gloria Diserly, and Claire Raining Bird; adopted son, Francis Good Track; adopted brother, Arthur Grey Bull Jr.; adopted grandsons, Riley Loegering (RJ), Jake and Jeffery Flynn, and Daniel Horsman; special nieces, Lori Jo Grey Bear, Lizann Grey Bear, and Coretta L. Grey Bear; extended families, Oldrocks, Browns, Pipes, Red Elks, War Clubs, Bears, Jones, Long Hairs, Red Boys, Shields, and Walking Eagles of Brockton.
Phyllis joins her parents, Lottie and Able; brothers, Melvin Sr., Abraham Sr. “Judge”, Oral, and Galen; sisters, Vina Mae and Coretta Rose; and many nieces and nephews.