On Sunday, January 29th, our youngest sister, Gretchen Marie Youpee, age 62 passed away at Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point. She was born in Vancouver, Washington on March 22, 1954, the ninth child of William (Bill) and Isabel Wienberger Youpee. She grew up and attended school in Portland, Oregon and Poplar. She also attended college at BYU in Provo, Utah and MSU in Bozeman, MT. While at BYU, she was an active member of the Native American Indian Club. Gretchen was a member and baptized into the Church of Latter Day Saints in Poplar; serving a mission with the Northern Indian Mission Youth Group in South Dakota.
She worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Poplar, MT, Aberdeen, SD, and Palm Springs, CA in the Department of Land Operations. While in Palm Springs, she was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis (MS), returning home in 1990.
On November 26, 1975, her special little girl, Anna Marie Blackbird “Anna Banna”, was born. On November 2, 1976, her precious baby boy, David D. Blackbird, Jr. joined Gretchen’s little family until Christmas Eve when he died of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Family was everything to her. Her appreciation of her heritage and gifts in life were instilled in her by her parents and grandparents.
Gretchen and Anna lived in the house she had built along the Poplar River. From her mom, Gretchen learned the art of beadwork, which provided her a livelihood throughout her life. The craftsmanship of Gretchen’s work is well known and unique and stood out among the best. Gretchen will be remembered as gentle, loving, compassionate, beautiful, and graceful woman who had a smile for everyone. Because of her illness, she lived at the Faith Lutheran Home for the past 16 years, where she was treated like family and made many friends.
Gretchen was preceded in death by her son, David Jr.; her mom and dad, Bill and Isabel; her brothers, Allen, William Jr., Danny; brother-in-law, Pete Ramsey; her sister, Florence (Red); nephews, Joe Cloudboy, Allen (Junior), Michael George, Skay Sr., William (Billy); niece Tracy; grandsons, Skay Jr., and Armon Boyd; grandparents, Helen and Joe Brushborn, Frank Youpee, and George and Ida Turning Bear Weinberger; uncles and aunts, Elizabeth and Ted Manning, Edith and Andy Signa, Louie and Bernice Youpee, Leroy and Josephine Youpee, Jimmy and Jeanette Youpee, Helen and Douglas RedBird, George Weinberger, Donald and Winona Weinberger, Frank Weinberger, May and Ernie Bighorn Sr.
Gretchen is survived by her daughter, Anna Marie; brothers and sisters, Williamette and Larry Bussard, Helen and George Ricker, Dwight, Josi and Rene, Lori, Cary and Linda, Marvin and Renay; sister-in-law, Bernadine White; adopted brother and sister, Albert “Greek” Culbertson and Joan Broomfield; uncle, Lloyd Youpee; aunts, Loretta Bearcub and Darlene Eagle Youpee; numerous special cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren; special friends, Gerald and Lenore Red Elk and family, Goria Diserly, Anna Marie Pipe, Karla Duboise,; cousins, Jewell Youpee Hanna and Patt Iron Cloud Runs Through.
Prayer services will be Sunday evening, February 5 at 7 p.m. with funeral services Monday, February 6 at 11 a.m. both held at the Church of Latter Day Saints (Mormon Church) in Poplar. Interment will follow at the Youpee Family Cemetery with a lunch to follow. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Sunday February 5, 2017
Church of Latter Day Saints
416 G Street
Poplar, Montana 59255
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday February 6, 2017
Church of Latter Day Saints
416 G Street
Poplar, Montana 59255
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Sunday February 5, 2017
Church of Latter Day Saints
416 G Street
Poplar, Montana 59255
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday February 6, 2017
Church of Latter Day Saints
416 G Street
Poplar, Montana 59255
David and Chong Ae Boyd says
Our prayers our with the family.
Linda Azure says
Condolences to the family. I knew Gretchen when we at college at BYU in Provo. Utah. She had a beautiful smile and was so kind.
Bob & Terry McAnally says
Our hearts and prayers go out to Gretchen’s family. May the Creator wrap loving arms around you all as you move through this time of grieving.
Pauline Azure-Feuvray says
I am sorry for the loss of Gretchen but she is now with loved ones in Heaven. God bless the family.
Gloria Diserly says
Prayers for the family of Gretchen, especially her daughter, Anna. I will alwayers cherish our friendship. Rest in peace my friend.
Dreamis Eagle Boy says
To the family of Gretchen Youpee, We send Our Deepest Condolences, Your all in our thoughts and Prayers at this time. God Bless you all.
Michele Buck Elk says
Prayers for Gretchens daughter Anna and family. She was a very nice woman to work with and share a friendship with. May the lord watch over her family.
Gay & Brian Pennington says
To The Family Gretchen Families I got to no her and Anna when my mom Vivian babysat Anna. We would always talk when she pick up Anna, Gretchen had a beautiful smile. Our Deepest Condolences to the family. You are in our thoughts and prayers and God Bless you all, A friend in Christ Gay Stephanie Pennington & Vivian Stephanie
Patricia Bird says
My last memory of Gretchen was at the Oil Discovery Celebration, I believe the year was 1976 or 1977. She was on the south side of the arbor with her husband, I remember he was a fancy dancer. She was watching grand entry. I’ll always remember her as a young, beautiful, healthy woman. I never saw her during her illness. That is a good last memory I have of her smiling and happy. My condolences to her daughter and the rest of the family. I know how hard it is to lose a family member.
Darlyn Grainger says
To Gretchen’s daughter Anna and all of her other families. She was a beautiful lady. I worked with her for a time at the BIA in Poplar. You are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. God Bless You All
Karla DuBoisr says
Sorry for the loss of Gretchen, I always remember high school days when we were in Spanish class and had to speak face to face in front of the class and we wud just laugh and couldn’t do it we wud say after class we shud b learning how to speak our language……she was a quiet but a very nice fren. I wud go c her at the home but I don’t think she remembered me. I wud talk 2 her an she wud have this big smile….RIP my fren!
Desiree Sigler says
May the love of family and friends carry you through your grief as “the hearer of prayer” embraces your hearts. Lean on those close to you for strength and encouragement to stay strong. Share your memories,they are a source of joy that will give your family comfort. We hope that the many cards,hugs,kind words, and loving prayers sustains your family during this most difficult time.