Helen Frances (“Sissy”) Youpee Ricker, age 79, of Poplar, MT, passed away November 6th, 2021 at the Faith Lutheran Home in Wolf Point, MT.
Helen and her twin brother, Allen Frank (“Sony”) Youpee, Sr., were born to William “Bill” Youpee, Sr. and Isabel Floretta Weinberger March 1, 1942, in Poplar, MT. She attended her early school years in Vancouver, Wash., and Portland, Ore., and graduated from Poplar High School, in 1960. She was an alumna of Montana State University-Bozeman, where she was a member of the Council of American Indian Students.
Helen met George Ricker at the Oil Discovery Celebration in August 1963 and they were married January 16, 1965 at Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church in Poplar, MT. They were married for 55 years. They had two sons, George (Skay) Ricker Jr. and William Ricker.
Helen took part and organized many Indian naming celebrations, including her own. Helen’s Indian name “Mahpeya Waste Win” (Good Cloud Woman) was passed down to her first born grand daughter, Erin Jade Ricker.
Helen was involved in the education process at the local level as well the college level. She worked at the Poplar Schools for more than a decade, where she was the first Indian Education Coordinator, and began the program for Instructional Aides in classrooms. She joined the JOM parent committee of the Poplar school system in 1975 and eventually was elected to serve as the director until the 80s. Following her JOM service, Helen served on the Council of Elders at her alma mater Montana State University, Bozeman. She also served as one of the Fort Peck Tribes’ first gaming commissioners.
Helen was proud of her Native American culture and traditions. She was well known on the “pow wow trail” and remembered for her traditional cooking. Helen’s community, friends, and family will remember her as an anchor of stability and, in particular, on how to carry on the ‘ways’ of traditional practices. She assumed the responsibilities of treasurer of the Oil Discovery Celebration committee founded in the 1960s and billed as the largest Indian gathering in the United States.
Helen has touched many lives, especially in carrying out family events and feasts. Helen’s family and friends carry fond memories of loading pick-ups with rations—canned goods, bread and freshly butchered beef from the Youpee cattle herd. Helen’s preparations for such events were enormous, taking place over days, months and sometimes years. Helen was not only an advocate for her culture and family, but also prided herself as a Christian and Elder in the local communities.
Helen is preceded in death by her husband, George Sr; son, George, Jr; grandson, Chaskay; mother and father, Bill and Isabel; her brothers Allen, William Jr., and Danny; brothers-in-law Pete Ramsay and Roy Lafromboise; her sisters Willi (“Chubbins”), Florence (“Red”) and Gretchen; sisters-in-law Roxane Gibbs, Phyllis Culbertson, and BernaDyne White; nephews, Joe Cloudboy, Allen (Junior), William (Billy), Royce Anthony, and David; niece Tracy; grandparents, Helen and Joe Brushorn, Frank Youpee, and George and Ida Turning Bear Weinberger.
Helen is survived by her son, William; granddaughters she raised, Erin Jade and Tamra; her only great-granddaughter, Sophia Grace Ricker, the light of her life; Siblings, Dwight, Josi (Réné), Lori, Cary (Linda), and Marvin (Renay); adopted brother and sister, Albert “Greek” Culbertson and Joan Broomfield; Brother-in-Law, Larry Bussard; special cousins Susie Jackson and Aileen Red Bird; special family members, Jewel Youpee, Eugene Youpee, Marcella Red Thunder, April Youpee-Roll, Vermae Taylor, Kay Culbertson, Marvin (Marjorie) Youpee Jr, Lydania Hagadone, Joey Lafromboise, Nicole Longee, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 16, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday November 17, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Interment
Wednesday November 17, 2021
Youpee Family Cemetery
North of Poplar, Montana 59255
Service Schedule
Visitation
4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Tuesday November 16, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday November 17, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Interment
Wednesday November 17, 2021
Youpee Family Cemetery
North of Poplar, Montana 59255
James BigHorn says
My condolences to the family.
Jonny BearCub says
Have a joyful journey home as you travel that Star Road. I will miss you for I so enjoyed visiting, laughing, and strategizing on the committees we served on. Prayers for the family as they begin to say farewell. She was a great Lady in my eyes.
Diane Nees says
My sympathy to Helen’s family – we were classmates in the Class of ’59 at Poplar High School.
Charles Trinder says
Rest in peace Classmate. You are missed.
Donald Lee Boyd says
Prayers And Condolences To The Helen Ricker Family In The Days Ahead Helen Ricker Was A Great Elder Of The Fort Peck Reservation..
Sally Hollow Horn says
Prayers to her family, Helen was such a kind good person the times I lived and worked there at the school.
Bob and Terry McAnally says
Our heartfelt condolences to the family of our relative Helen. I will miss her great intelligence, wit and caring for others. May Wakan Tanka bless her and her family in this time of Helen’s journey to “The Other Side Camp”. Aho.
Gay Pennington says
My deepest Condolences to the Youpee and Ricker family. Helen is such a sweet woman I got to no.Ill miss here.Erin my heart breaks for you..I no how close you too where..RIP my friend 💔😢🙏🙏🙏
Anna Eder says
My condolences to Helen’s family. Sending my prayers for comfort.
Linda Atchico says
Condolences to Helen’s family. She was such a nice lady. I will miss seeing her. She was a mentor to me when my son was born.
Kindra Parry says
Prayers to the family, and good thoughts and strength being sent your way. Kindra Parry
David and Chong Ae Boyd says
Prayers for Helen and her family.
Darlyn Grainger says
Condolences to the Ricker and Youpee families. You are in my thoughts and prayers. God Bless You All
leonard leslie Bighorn says
prayers and condolences to the families, rest easy cousin.
Florence Garcia says
My condolences to Helen’s family. She was an amazing and kind lady who will be missed.
McGeorge DeMarrias Jr says
I am sorry to hear that you have went to the Happy Hunting Grounds, my father spoke highly of you and you gave me some advice that I never forgot. I know there will be a great reception for you on the other side, but you will be missed on this side.
Thanks
Dreamis Eagle Boy says
🌹Our Sincere Condolences to the Families of Helen Youpee Ricker… 🦋…
Carlos J Buck Elk | Little Muddy MT says
Condolences to all of Helen’s family and friends. Helen & George were friends of my grandparents Henry & Nancy.
Christie Owens says
My condolences to the family, Helen was a very compassionate lady. Very honored to have known her.
Cissy Eagleman says
Prayers & condolences for all the family.
Helen, may you Journey well. Now it is time to rest in the arms of the Lord…Please give George, Skay & Tiny Man hugs for me please. Helen, you will be greatly missed.
Ann Burshia says
Sending Condolences, love, hugs and prayers to my uncle Willie. ❤️
Jackie Sandoval says
So sorry for your loss,fly with the eagles!!!
Patt Iron Cloud says
I love you Auntie.
Rita Weeks says
Sincere condolences to Helen’s family. The first time I met Helen I was around 10 or 11. I went to a campaign rally at the old community hall in WP. She was amazing then and throughout all the years I had known her. May she Rest In Peace. God bless her family.
Nicole Longee says
Sending my Condolences to my brother Willie and Erin and Tamera sure going to miss mom And grandma had my good times with her and Dad visiting and love coming out to help out love you miss you
Janice White Eagle - Johnson says
RIP Helen you lived a good life. My dad had the greatest respect for the Bill Youpee family.
Shari Daniels says
My sincere condolences to the families.
Joey Surgace says
Such a loyal person. She always spoke the truth from her heart. I look forward to see her again when she is awakened from her peaceful sleep .
John 5:28
Darryl ricker sr says
Sorry about missing the services…God bless the family…