Bernadine J. Bear-Shields, age 65 passed away on August 11, 2023 in Billings, Montana. Bernadine was born to Leonard Bear, Sr and Bertha Bluestone Bear on January 26, 1958 in North Hollywood, California.
Bernadine was married to Arlie F. Shields for 37 until he passed away on August 12, 2020. She attended school at Bell Gardens in California, Poplar High School, and Fort Peck Community College. She loved creative writing.
She was a Sunday teacher at the Pentecostal church for the preschool for a few years. She had many jobs throughout the years. She worked at Prime Time video, Tribal Express, Cherry Tree Inn and the Riversage Hill Top Inn in Billings, Montana.
She enjoyed spending time with her youngest grandbaby David Hapa, doing her scratch cards, singing, dancing, and spending time with her son Hunter Shields and her many friends. She loved her friends and her siblings. She raised Hunter since he was a baby, he kept them young. They loved raising him as their own son, Baby Boy.
Bernadine spent the last 9 years of her life in Billings with her family. She missed her husband, the love of her life, Arlie. She spent her last days at her daughter’s home with her son, Hunter and her grandson, David. She spent these days watching Family Feud, ID Investigation channel, cooking her favorite beans in her home, visiting her kids and friends, and laughing, joking around, and having a good time.
She had a lot of faith in the Lord and taught her kids to pray and to say that we love each other. She told us a lot of stories and we shared a lot of good times with her. She was a great mother, the best. Some of her best moments were spent playing with her grandson, David.
We all love and miss you mom, grandma, auntie, sister, friend.
Bernadine is preceded in death by her loving husband of 37 years, Arlie F. Shields; her daughter, Dawn Alexis Delaine Hansen; her parents, Leonard Bear, Sr, and Bertha Bear Bluestone; brothers, Leonard Bear, Jr, Edward Bear, John Bear, Danial Bear, Sr.; and Denise Bear.
Bernadine is survived by her daughters, Debra (Arlin) Hapa, Antoinette (Brandon) Shields Johnson, Jennifer (Robert) Montclair, and Cinthia Haugen; her sons, Karl D. Haugen and children, Hunter Shields and Adam Giesick; sisters, Tanya Bear, Debra Bear, Leslie Ricker, Brenda Baldry, Dela Brown Paulette Pipe, and Connie Price; uncle, Wilfred “Max” Bear; cousins, Sonny Bear, and Keith Bear, Beverly Walking Eagle and family; brother-in-law, Marvyn Shields; sister-in-law, Linda Looking; nieces and nephews, Tanya Hillard and family, Leonard Hillard and family, Ashley Hillard and family, Stacy Standing and family, Shelly Fredericks and family, Aberaham Fredricks, David and Sara Pather-Bear, Danial Bear and family, Jessica Bear and family, Tiffeny Bear and Family, Shana Bear, Cindy Shields, Lacy Jo GreyBull, John, Sherry, Beccie Rick Morales, Joy Man, Roseann Shields, Donuts Looking, Diana Shields, and Lynette Shields, Casie Catchs Grey and family, Patricia Eder and family, Sandra Martin, Johnny Harrington and family; grandkids, Brooke Boyd and family, Travis Bear and family, Robert “Bobby” Montclair and family, Cruse Montclair and family, Selena Losing and family, Payton Montclair, Cayden Knight, Honey Daniels, Marvin and Debra Shields, Arlie and Addy Thurson, David Hapa, Alli Clark, Alicia Jackson, Michael Gabriel Juilo Bear, and Jonathan Eagle; adopted children, Lisa Bigheadman, Diane Birdtail, and many others that she took in as her own; many more grandkids, nieces, and nephews. If we forgot anyone, we are truly sorry.
A memorial service will be held at 6:00 p.m. on Monday, August 21, 2023 at the Pentecostal Church in Poplar, Montana. A potluck will follow the services.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences for the family may be left by using the form below.
Margaret B. says
To Berna’s daughters, sisters, grandchildren and other extended family; I am in shock when I heard of her passing. She is a friend of mine, we had some fun times in high school. She was fun to hang out with and that friendship continued through out the years. Please let me know how I can help. I will be praying for you all now and in the upcoming days. It’s hard to lose a sister, mother and grandmother all at once. RIP my beautiful friend!
Becky Morales says
Sorry to see of aunt Bernadine’s passing. I wasn’t really close, but when I was a kid I thought all the Bear kids were our big cousins ,then Mom explained they were her first cousins ,so they were our Aunts and Uncles. My fondest memory of them all was the way they always said “man”..with that cool California accent. Thoughts and prayers for the family, and aunties Tanya and Debbie and families♥️🙏🏽
Your cousin Gina says
Cousin I’ve been thinking about you alot this past month and Friday I find out from Jen that you passed away. Missing you cuz. My prayers are with my nieces and all who Love you.
Cissy Eagleman says
Auntie Berna, I’ll miss you. I have often wondered how you were doing and where you were. I pray you Journeyed Well. That is my prayer for you, Journey Well Auntie.
Prayers for Auntie Debbie & Auntie Tanya… I love you ladies.
Auntie Please give Grandpa, and the Uncles all biiiig hugs for me and Dawn also…she was definitely your twin.
I’ll forever love you Auntie
Debra M. says
Cinthia, Sorry to hear about your Mom, God bless you my friend ,Condolences to your family.