Joel Rae Ferguson, Tasunka Hin Hota Win (Roan Grey Horse Woman) 55 Of Poplar Mt went to be with her Mom and Dad on August 15th 2022 at the Poplar Hospital.
Joel Was Born at At Ft Hood,Louisiana on March 15th 1967 to Joseph and Arlene Ferguson. Joel grew up in Poplar and was a graduate of Poplar High School. She graduated from University of Mary Bismarck and Fort Peck Community College. She held many jobs including fort peck housing, fort peck tribes payroll, tribal express, Tandes and A&S here at Fort Peck. She also moved to Billings and worked for the Census Bureau, salvation army, Transbas and many more that she enjoyed. She also helped open the cold weather shelter this past winter and was happy that she could help her people.
Joel loved spending time with her Grandchildren her world evolved around them and making sure that they were taken care of before herself. She spent her last months with her son who was her whole world and loved with all her heart. She spent her time beading and making dancing outfits for her granddaughters. She loved to bead and sew and always gave her things she got done away hardly ever keeping or making anything for herself. She was always generous and willing to help wherever she could. If she didn’t know how to put something together, she would call her little sister nan and they would get it done. Joel loved her Dakota ways and was always ready to go to sweat and was a big supporter of the Three Buffalo Sundance and all her nephews. Joel Rae would speak her mind and didn’t care what anyone thought. She had a loving and caring heart and was always on Facebook messaging all of her friends and family to check on them. She was proud to come from the Bad Temper Bear family.
Joel Rae met John House of Crow Mt and enjoyed working with the cattle, going to Hand Game Tournaments and supporting him and the Black Lodge Tigers and her adopted family she gained in crow whom she loved and appreciated.
Joel Is survived by her pride and joys MyRee Lynn, Liam Chance, Tiar’e Jaye and her tiny tiny babe Sienna Skye, Makenna, Makennan, Suta Mani,Mali Iskitini, Carly and Noah. And many more that she loved with her whole heart.
Children Leigh Spotted Bird “Skuya” of Brockton and Grant Ferguson “Sonny” of Poplar. Her Adopted children whom she loved Jeffery Flynn, Ashley Weston, Brennon Hajek, Ralph Renz, Robert Ferguson and Miccah Dust. She also leaves behind all of her nieces and nephews who she considered own and loved and supported always.
Siblings JD Ferguson of Fargo North Dakota, Colleen Ferguson of Poplar Mt, Denise, BJ, Gary, Mike and Felix Kidder, Vermae Smith, Tommy Smith, Duane Smith, Sandra Ownspipe, Stephanie Cloud, Dana Mireau, Amos Cloud Jr, Joseph Cloud, Nina Fetty, Monica Melbourne, Michelle Melbourne, Lorraine Hopkins, Ninette Hamilton, Thomasine Hamilton, Anthony Hamilton, Kelly Ann Grey Bear, Cerise Grey Bear, Mike Olson, Judith Grey Bear, and Jordan Grey Bear, Peggy, JD, Bernice and Cedric Good House Jr.
Adopted brothers and sisters Anna Eder, Jodi Miller, Lissa Wettlin, Rita Hopkins, Grace, Anna, Jackie, Alfred Pipe, Tom and Grant Stafne, Twila Bearcub, Gerred Red Eagle, Georell Red Eagle, Gina Spotted Bird, Bear and Kae Roberts, Larissa Spotted Bird, Kori Good Bird, Melda Sioux, Jason and Justin Gray Hawk, Maureen Dionne, Mary and Greg Plante, Dee Dee Red Eagle, Jodi Finley, Lonnie Campbell, Faith and Jason Bird Tail, Billy and Joann Ferguson, and Sherrie Smells of Crow Agency.
Adopted Parents who she held near to her heart Cedric and Sissy Good House, Doris and the late Leland Spotted Bird, Cindy and the late Enright Bighorn, Amos Cloud Sr and Rusty Denny. And her lifelong friend who she confided in Myron Spotted Bird.
Very special Uncles A.T Rusty Stafne and Tommy Christian.
Auntie Vermae Taylor of Wolf Point Mt.
She is Preceded in death by her Parents Joseph and Arlene Ferguson Sisters Lydia Ferguson and Loretta Kidder. Grandparents Cynthia Johnson and Nellie and Bill Ferguson Nephews Roderick Renz Speed and Anthony Mazawasicuna.
Her Aunts Cheryl, Renee and Paula. Uncles Manny Melbourne, Lionel Johnson, Mike Thompson and George Ferguson. Her Adopted Moms Phyllis Grey Bear, Karen First and Georgia Red Eagle.
Cousins whom she called her brothers and sisters Marcus and Shelly Johnson, Jimmy Smith, Alex Stearns, Heidi Johnson, Genine, George, Geoff, JR Red Eagle, Sarah Three Stars and Sherry Flagen.
She also leaves behind her adopted family from Crow Agency.
Mom, we love you so much. Just know that the babies will be taken care and you don’t have to worry. We will miss you.
We Apologize if we forgot anyone, but we know that our mom loved you all.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Wednesday August 24, 2022
Poplar Cultural Center
Poplar, Montana 59255
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THE GREY BEAR FAMILY says
RIP OUR RELATIVE HAVE A SAFE JOURNEY TELL MOM (PHYILLIS ) HI FOR US DOKA SA AKA
The LaRose Family says
Auntie, I’ll remember your strong voice, the way you spoke up, and your humor was unmatched. Thank you for always being there to listen to me. I’m going to miss you so much! Me, Merv & Andre love you!
Professor Tata
Colleen Macy Ferguson (baby sister) says
Safe travels sister 🌹💖 I love you always ❤️ 😘 now I am the big sister I have no more big sister geez this is so hard why!😭😱😭 I wanted to come visit u more an I didn’t get too & I was planning to show u my mini stuff👌👍. Shit 😱😌wait till I get up there ❣️🥀were gonna have some words even Tina i gotta have some words with her too But,💖😇🌹❤️ I love you & god must of had other plans for you🥀💖😇 tell the family high & I love them ❤️🌹an we will meet again sister until then I have to take care of our babies.u must a seen our babies are not babies no more an they can take care of there own.but please watch over us well we have to fight an survive this world without u.but we will do that long as we know you & all our other family is an will be our gaurdian angels😇🙏until that time comes I’ll miss u & love you forever & ever
Doris Thompson says
Sad to hear of Joel’s passing 😢 she was my friend in HS, actually she was everyone’s friend in HS. She just had that Big Sister Vibe & was fun to hang out with. My sincere condolences to her children & grandchildren and her family & friends. 🙏 Like the song by Slaughter “Fly to the Angels” my friend and may you rest in Paradise 🙏
Mary says
So sorry to hear about the passing of our sister Joel. She will be greatly missed. Our prayers are with the family.
The Fort Berthold Smiths says
I just got reconnected with you sister. Fly high, glide beautiful and remain happy. You’re free of pain. Tell those in the other camp were missing them. God bless your babies and grand babies.
Tara Longtree says
Fly high, my friend, glad we reconnected, you were always a voice for the ppl! Always trying to make it happen, for the homeless! Journey well!
Lynne says
RIP my girlfren cuz my best fren.. gonna miss u … prayers for family.. lives from First & Reddogg & Lester ,(lynne & emery) fam…fly high …gonna miss u …
Lori Canyon says
Coleen, so sorry for your loss! Losing a sister is a lot to mourn cause they’re your best of bestest friends in the whole wide world, I think the world of my beautiful sisters ♥️… prayers for you and your whole family, our condolences 💐 Lori and Andrew 🙏❤️🫶🏽💐😇💔🖤
Anna Eder says
We have had a lifetime of the best of friendship, the laughs, cries, good times and I will always cherish those memories, Sister. Fly high with the angels sister, I love you. Prayers for Joel Rae’s children and grandchildren and all the family, my condolences to all.
claudia says
Joel, it was always good to see you. We shared conversation and laughed when we did see one another. You are family and never forgot that. A prayer of thanksgiving for the time GOD gave you to us all here and a prayer for your travel.
Sandy Albertson says
Joel was a friend on FB. She always seemed to have a strong opinion of Tribal Politics. I will miss her perspective. Rest In Peace my friend. So sorry I did not meet you!
Ronette says
Saddened to hear of her passing. We were Friends in HS. She was a kind, caring & humorous gal. We had a crazy story to tell about walking by the Poplar cemetery. She had me laughing so hard, I about peed myself 😆 Love ya my friend. Safe Journey.
Prayers to her family.
Ronette….
Jordis Ferguson says
Fly high sister/cousin. You will be missed so much. Comforting prayers for the family and friends 🙏 ❤ Love You and Hugs. Until We Meet Again jordy.
Dorcella Eastman says
The Gale Three Irons & Ed and Dorci Eastman families of the Apsaalooké Nation sends their thoughts and prayers to you all! She had a special place in our hearts and would also check on us! Her visits will be missed! Don’t look back Joel Rae and know we will always love you! Blacklodge Tigers for life!
Jaime Birthmark says
Geez its hard to believe that your gone…we just started talking again but maybe this is the reason why…going to miss you joel rae…i remember the first day you started at tribal express hoe crazy you was….miss you
Gay Pennington says
RIP my friend Joel… I always love our visits when we see each other.. we had alot if laughs 😅🤣…you had a big heart ❤and I’ll miss seeing around… Tell Shep and Arlene hi..and you won’t be suffering no more..Fly high and I’ll see you again!!🌹🌹💞💞🙏🙏💖💖
Iva Zimmerman says
RIP Joel
Heidi Taylor says
Fly high with the angels, in the amount of time I got to know you cousin I couldn’t have asked for more time. You were always thoughtful and caring and talked of us (Colorado girls) getting back home to make a visit. You are truly going to be missed. Love you cousin!
Brandon Neal says
Sad to hear Joel passed, I don’t get on here much because I don’t like to see this stuff, I worked with Joel for a couple years down at A&S, one day it was really quite because we were shutting down and I thought it would be funny to sneak up behind Joel and scare the heck out of her, I krept up and said “hey joel”! She screamed bloody murder turned around and started punching me🤣🤣🤣 Kevin Bur had to calm her down, I had no idea she would lose it that bad….we laughed about it later, sorry to hear she’s gone she was a great gal🥲…saw her a few times down in crow and we talked about old times…..rest in peace Joel
Lil Red (MyRee) says
Gramma, I love you. And I wish I was nicer to you, but the times I was with you were always great!! I miss the time you helped me sew, bead and even use a sewing machine. I miss the time you gave me money even when I didn’t need it but just because I wanted it. I love you gramma you are dearly missed.