Mrs. Sybil Irene (Crowbelt/Bighorn) Lambert “Shunk’ Ska Wicha Qu Win” (Gives White Horses Woman) of Brockton, Montana, died of natural causes at the Billings Clinic on December 12, 2008 at the age of 82 years. She was born on December 15, 1925 at the family home – Box Elder, MT to Maurice (Crowbelt) and Alda (Lady) Bighorn. Five of their children survived to adulthood, which included four sons and Sybil who was the youngest and only daughter. On December 12, 2008, Mrs. Lambert’s brothers: Alpheus, Sr., Leonard, Sr. and Ernest, Sr. were honored for their basketball talents at MSU Billings. Later that afternoon, she passed on. The immediate and extended families believe that her brothers were there in spirit and later took her with them – home to be with the Lord, her husband, children, parents and all those family members that previously passed away.
Mrs. Lambert attended Brockton Public Schools and later moved with the family to Tacoma, Washington where she worked as a riveter for the Boeing Aircraft Company. She later returned home and married Bernard “Barney” Lambert of Blair, MT on March 17, 1946 at the Presbyterian Church in Fort Kipp, MT. They resided in Brockton and raised their 7 children.
Mrs. Lambert was a homemaker but also helped her husband while he farmed and worked at the Brockton Schools. She and their children also traveled with him to various towns where he worked in bridge construction. She later assisted him in his political career as a Fort Peck Tribal Councilman.
Mrs. Lambert was active throughout her life in the Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church. She and her husband participated in numerous Dakota Presbytery activities. It is through the church ladies group that she took an interest in sewing. Under the guidance of her sister-in-law, Mrs. Mae Bighorn, Mrs. Lambert began her 50 year career as a star quilt maker. Mrs. Lambert was one of the ladies who started the star quilt give-aways for the Brockton boy’s basketball team in 1964. She continued this tradition until 2006. One of her creations traveled throughout the U.S. and is on display with the Smithsonian Museum. Mrs. Lambert also made star quilts for individuals in various countries throughout the world.
In addition to sewing, her interests and talents included playing the piano for the Red Eagle Church for about 30 years. She enjoyed traveling, gardening and participating in various community activities. Mrs. Lambert loved watching her children, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren participate in various sports. She was also an avid Brockton Warrior fan.
Mrs. Lambert enjoyed visiting with family and friends. She especially loved the large family and extended family gatherings.
Mrs. Lambert’s life was centered on her family, which included the numerous nieces and nephews that she and her husband helped raise. Other grandchildren they helped raise include: Toni Enemy Hunter, Libby, MT.; Tina Head Swift, Lame Deer, MT., Lana (Lars) Mikkelsen, Brockton, MT., Jessica Parker and Jenny Lambert of Wolf Point, MT. Their home was also opened to other children who also called her house – home. She loved her children and did whatever she could to help and guide them through life. Her daily prayers sustained her throughout her lifetime.
Mrs. Lambert is survived by her sons, Bernard (Desiree) Lambert, Jr. of Brockton; Ernest (Tammy) Lambert, Belcourt, ND; and daughters Bernardine Pease, Billings, MT.; Annette (Ann) Lambert, Brockton; Susan (Val) Parker of Wolf Point , daughter in-law, Marshelle Lambert of Wolf Point and April (Danny) Lindsay of Wolf Point, who she always called her little sister; brother-in-law Vern (Val) Lambert and family of Ft. Totten, ND.; nieces Lavonne (Simon) Looking Elk of Rapid City, SD and Caroline Baker of Poplar; nephews Leonard Crowbelt, Earnest Bighorn, Jr. and Alpheus Bighorn, Jr., all of Brockton, MT and Enright Bighorn of Sisseton, SD; 21 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 2 great great-grandchildren and all the families of her brothers and husband.
Mrs. Lambert was preceded in death by her parents Mr. and Mrs. Maurice (Crowbelt) Bighorn; brother Clark Bighorn and sister Violet Bighorn, brothers Jacob Crowbelt, Alpheus Bighorn, Sr., Leonard Bighorn, Sr. and Ernest Bighorn, Sr. ; adopted sister, Mrs. Hazel Ashes; her husband, Bernard (Barney) Lambert; daughter, Tammy Jo Lambert Nygard; cousin/sister Mrs. Rita (Red Eagle) Belgarde and within the past year her son, Maurice (Moose) Lambert, her niece Mrs. Angela (Bighorn) Brown and nephew Jacob Bighorn, Jr.
Mrs. Sybil Lambert will be remembered for her kindness, love and compassion, generosity, laughter, quilting and love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Visitation begins at 4:00 p.m. on Friday, December 19, 2008, with an Evening prayer service at 7:00 P.M. at the Brockton Cultural Center. Funeral Services will be Saturday, December 20, 2008 at 10:00 A.M. at the Brockton Cultural Center with the Rev. Simon Looking Elk officiating. Interment will be at Fort Kipp Cemetery in Ft. Kipp, MT. where Mrs. Lambert will be laid to rest next to her husband.
Condolences to the family may be sent to www.stevensonandsons.com. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.