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.
jessica mason-cantrell & family says
my thoughts and prayers are with all of vicki’s family. i cherish the memory of her goodness to my family. She was a blessed woman and is rejoicing with the lord now. love and prayers jessica
Darcey & Clover Anaquod says
Prayers & Love to the family of Vicky. I am proud to have always called her my spiritual mama! Unique, kind, cool, fun-loving, adoring, God fearing woman she was. She will be missed greatly!
Susan McGrail says
May the peace of the Lord be with Vicky always. I will always love her and be thankful for her help and support in helping with my adoption of my son.
Lee Ann Tank says
I just heard about your mom. She was a very special lady. I really enjoyed all the visits that her and I have had over the years. I’am so sorry about her passing. I know how close you all were to her. I’ll keep you all in my thoughts and prayers at this time and for always. If you need anything please call me. I gave my phone number to Rena and Paul. I can’t make it to the funeral and I’am really sorry about that.
Love, Your friend always,
Lee Ann Tank
ilona jo says
my condolence to Rena and the boys, your in my thoughts and pryaers.
Donna Black Dog says
My condolescences to Vicki’s family, she will be missed. I enjoyed her company when she worked at Pierre Indian School, she was funny and good to hang out with. My prayers go out to the family.
Susan Alzinki (Dionne) says
I’m sorry to hear bout your Mom, she was my friend. I loved her and I miss her.
Rev. Steven Smith says
Enjoyed my phone calls with Vickie. Several times she would call and inquire about questions she had about the Bible and our relationship with the Lord. She had a great sense of humor and was the kind of Christian who was willing to share her faith, lead others to Christ and then diciple them in thier new found faith. To which we will all miss. It is our loss but her gain. Blessings to her children family and friends.
Jeannie Archdale says
I am so very sorry for the loss of you mom. My prayers are with all of you.
Kathleen Ventura says
My condolences to Paul, Rena & Jeff. I know you are all very proud of you’re wonderful mother. She was a very sweet awesome lady and I will miss her alot. Take care and knowing she is with our Heavenly Father is all the more better. No more suffering. She’s probably getting acquainted with family, friends and Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, David, and most of all Jesus.
Mary Schoppert and Michael Boyd says
Its been awhile now since our friend and collegue left us, but we think about her always. Vicky was a wonderful, special person with a gentle smile and kind words for everyone. Her ready wit and wealth of knowlege made it easy to befriend her. Her abiding and ever present relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ made her easy to love. She shared that love and strength with all who came her way. Vicky was the first person to befriend me when I moved to Poplar, and she was the one I missed the most when I left. Mike knew her all through school and remained a life-long friend. God bless her and her memory with us.
Jennifer says
So sad to have found this-she would have been my great aunt, as one of her sisters would have been my paternal grandmother. I hope her family found comfort in their time of need. Bless you all.