Vera Jean Longee, 63, of Poplar died June 29, 2026, at the Poplar Hospital.
She was born Aug. 8, 1962, to Samuel R. Longee Sr. and Patricia K. Menz in Culbertson.
She grew up in Brockton, where she could be found running between her mother’s house and her grandparents’ home. She attended various elementary schools and graduated from Poplar High School in 1980. She loved to participate in volleyball while in high school.
She worked various jobs throughout her life, A& S Industries, H& S Quick Stop and cook at the Poplar School, which she enjoyed the most. She attended Fort Peck Community College where she worked towards a degree in law.
She married Greg Gourneau Sr. and, through this union, they had three sons, Greg Jr., Zach and Tyrone. They later divorced.
She was a very active lady, hence the nickname “Beez.” She never let any obstacle stop her. She lost the ability to speak, but still served 10 years in the volunteer fire department. During this time in the fire department, she served in different officer roles and won Fireman of the Year.
She loved to bake and every family gathering was required that she make her famous buns. She was very handy and had the ability to figure out a problem and fix it. She enjoyed working on different projects around the house, even if she was electrocuted in the process.
She loved and cherished spending time with family, her sons and especially the time she got to spend with her grandson.
She will be remembered for how caring she was towards people, how she was always willing to open her house to others, how she treated her sons’ friends like they were her own and her mischievous laugh.
She is survived by her sons, Greg Gourneau and Zach Gourneau; a grandson; sisters, Linda Christiansen, Dore Menz, Twilia Redeagle and Lorena Youngman; brothers, Richard Longee, Samuel Longee Jr. and Anton Longee; and mother, Patricia Menz.
She was preceded in death by her youngest son, Tyrone P. Gourneau; and sister, Toni Greybull.
Her funeral was held Tuesday, July 7, at the Assembly of God church in Poplar. Burial was at Riverview Cemetery in Brockton.