Judy Belgarde-Johnson

Judy Ann Belgarde-Johnson, 72, of Brockton died Nov. 16, 2021, in Williston, N.D.

She was born April 6, 1949, in Poplar on to Ernest and Rita (Red Eagle) Belgarde and joined brothers, Kermit and Duane. Later came her sister, Rae. In her younger years, she spent her time living in various parts of the United States with her family. She loved to share her stories of living in San Francisco, Calif.; Gary, Ind.; Chicago, Ill.; Williston, N.D.; Helena; Missoula; Plentywood; Kintar; Glasgow; and Fort Kipp. They traveled to many of these through the relocation program and the others were simply to be close to family.

Some of her fondest memories included her uncle, Art Belgarde, who became a father figure to her. She lived with him and her aunt Jessie in Plentywood and Williston during her teen years. It was during her time in Williston that she started her working career as a teenager waiting tables. This was her first job and she loved to share stories of how hard she had to work at such a young age.

In 1967, she took part in an educational program which took her to Missoula where she attained her G.E.D. at the University of Montana and began her schooling to become a nurse. She was unable to finish due to family commitments that returned her to Brockton, where she made her home for the rest of her years.

She continued to work in various jobs which included working at the Brockton School, Roosevelt Medical Center, for the Fort Peck Tribes and was also self-employed. In 1977, she began working with the Fort Peck Tribes Election Committee where she started as an election judge under her mother, Rita, who was an election commissioner. Through the years, she worked her way up from election judge to supervisor of the tribal election, a position she held until her death. She also worked many years helping coordinate and distribute the annual Christmas per cap.

She was a master quilter who made thousands of starquilts throughout her lifetime. She was honored to be part of the opening display of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C.

In 1975, she met Ben Johnson. They were together for 44 years, uniting in marriage in 2001. They spent the rest of their years raising children and grandchildren in Brockton until Ben’s death in February 2020. Together, they were able to watch their family grow to include eight children, 22 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren and her first great-great-grandchild. She relished in the joy that she had such a huge family and one of her favorite things to do was to get together for holidays, birthdays and other events with everyone to celebrate and visit. She was the family historian and loved to share stories and family history.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Ben; brothers, Duane and Eugene Belgarde; and grandson, Jarid Fast Horse Sr.

She is also survived by her sister, Rae Jean Belgarde of Brockton; brother, Kermit Belgarde of Walla Walla, Wash.; and children, Noreen Lone Bear, Melissa Rattling Thunder, Eugene Belgarde, Olivia Johnson, Terrence, BJ, Brady and Jalen Johnson, all of Brockton.

Funeral services were held Monday, Nov. 22, at Brockton School with Father Akama Ukanide officiating. Burial was at Riverview Cemetery in Brockton.