Victoria Joyce Spotted Bull-Azure, age 66, of Wolf Point, MT passed away February 23, 2012 at home with her loved ones. Vicky was born May 8, 1945 in Fort Kipp, MT at the home of Leon and Louisa Spotted Bull. They became her parents by adoption and raised her in Fort Kipp/Brockton communities. Her Sioux name was Honahunpe Win, “Hear her voice.”
Vicky attended school in Brockton Montana and graduated in May, 1964. She attended college at Northern Montana College (now MSU-Havre), Rocky Mountain College, Ohio Institute for Medical Technology and Eastern Montana College (now MSU-Billings). In 1976, Vicky completed her Bachelor of Science degree in Rehabilitative Services with a minor in Psychology.
Vicky married Marvin Azure in 1968 and together they had Paul Andrew, Rena Lyn and Jeffrey Lloyd. Vicky and Marvin later divorced but remained friends until his death in November, 2011. Throughout her life she worked a variety of jobs, starting at Poplar Community Hospital. Vicky also worked at Pierre Boarding School in South Dakota where she loved working with children. She also worked as a Plan meter Operator, measuring aerial photos of farm land for Williams County in Williston, North Dakota. Vicky and her family moved to Billings, Montana in 1971 where she began her career at the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Education Department. In 1987, Vicky and her family relocated to Wolf Point where she became a Social Worker for the State of Montana, later transferring to B.I.A. Social Services Division and worked several years.
While employed with the B.I.A., she returned to school in Cheney Washington and obtained a Masters of Social Work degree in 1996 from Eastern Washington University. She remained employed with the Bureau of Indian Affairs Social Services until 2001 when health issues forced a medical retirement.
In February 1980, Vicky became a born again Christian and dedicated her life to serving Jesus, her Lord and Savior. Throughout her relationship with Christ, she was a strong prayer warrior and loved praying for anyone that needed prayer. She also loved telling people about Jesus and what he did for her. She always said that being a born again Christian was the best thing she ever did with her life and her relationship with Jesus was her greatest accomplishment. Her hobbies included: writing poetry, letters of encouragement to friends and loved ones, listening to praise and worship music, spending time with her children and grandchildren, reading her bible, beading/sewing. Vicky also very proudly co-wrote a song, “My Jesus” with her son Paul. Most of all she loved making people laugh and putting a smile on their faces. Vicky had a genuine, true heart of gold. Everyone that met her loved her because she was so very easy to love.
She is survived by her four children, Paul Andrew, Rena Lyn, Jeffrey Lloyd of Wolf Point and Desiree Rose of Spokane, WA; her beloved grandsons, Lloyd Michael, Andrew Layne, and Griffin Tye of Wolf Point; also grandson, Corey Clark and granddaughter, Dainie Frietag of Spokane; son-in-law, Ray Ostby of the family home; biological sisters, Ethelene White Hawk of Brockton, MT, and Gladys Feather Comes Last of Wolf Point, MT; brother, Casper Demarrias of Fort Totten, ND numerous nieces and nephews.
Vicky’s reciprocal (Indian way) adopted family includes sisters, Janice Moran of Wolf Point, Diane Gates, of Fort Yates, ND, Teema LaDeaux of SD, Liz Romero of Billings, MT and Tomi Michaelsen of Billings; adopted brothers, Leonard “Snow” Rattling Thunder of Brockton and Lamar Rase of Missoula, MT; adopted daughter, Mary Strauser Baker of Missoula, MT; and adopted son, Martel Reum of Wolf Point; as well as beloved sister-in-law, Carol Demarrias of Fort Kipp.
Vicky was preceded in death by her parents, Leon and Louisa Spotted Bull; adopted siblings, Allen Spotted Bull, Fannie Smith, and Mercy Clincher McDonald; biological mother, Jessie McKay Feather Demarrias; biological siblings, Olivia Feather Sherman, Jeannette Feather Kopperdahl, Lillian Feather, Midred Feather, and Abraham Demarrias.
Vicky loved you all so very much and she will truly be missed by all who were blessed to know her. May she forever be at peace with the Lord in heaven. And one day we will all see her again.
A prayer service will be held Tuesday, February 28 at 7 p.m. and her funeral service will be 10 a.m. Wednesday, February 29 with all services at Blue Sky Ministries Church in Wolf Point.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.