Loretta Norma (Blackdog) Bearcub, Napé TȟawówašI (Works with Her Hands), 93, of Fort Kipp died Dec. 24, 2021, at at the Culbertson Medical Center in Culbertson.
She was born March 14, 1928, in Fort Kipp to James Blackdog Jr. and Bertha Littlehead. She graduated from Brockton High School and went on to nursing school. She eventually worked at the Columbus Hospital in Great Falls, Poplar IHS hospital and the Culbertson hospital.
She married Archie Bearcub Sr. and they built their home just west of Fort Kipp where she spent her entire life. From that union, they had six children.
She went on to serve with various groups and committees such as the Brockton School board, Poplar Indian Days and many years on the Fort Kipp Celebration committee. She was also part of the ladies auxiliary.
She worked the Community Services program for the Fort Peck Tribes where she eventually retired. After retirement, she became an aide for the Fort Kipp Headstart Center until she could no longer work.
She enjoyed powwows, watching her son sing, her granddaughter dance and, most of all, sewing. She also enjoyed attending and watching basketball games. She was well known for her quilting skills and was mentioned qn a publication as a master Quilter. Traveling was probably one of her most favorite things to do. She would drive herself all over the country and, at one time ,made it all the way to Europe to visit family.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Archie Bearcub Sr.; infant son, Louis Bearcub; infant twin sons; brothers, Louis Blackdog, James Blackdog Jr., Matthew Blackdog and Vincent Blackdog; sisters, Teresa Blackdog, Sarah Blackdog, Ursula (Blackdog) Longhair and Rozelda (Blackdog) LoansArrow; grandsons, Duane Blackdog, Isaac Blackdog, William (Billy)Blackdog, Jeff Stump, Wesley Longhair, Nathaniel Longhair Jr., Brandon Longhair, Myron BrokenLeg, Ivan BrokenLeg, Brandon Longhair, Adam Blackdog, Armon Blackdog, Chris Blackdog, Cameron Blackdog and Ryan Blackdog; and granddaughers, Darla BrokenLeg, Valerie Youpee, Natalie Longhair, Alesia Blackdog and Laurelle Green.
She is survived by her children, Patricia Ryerson, Archie Bearcub Jr. and Jennifer Bearcub; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Funeral services were Saturday, Jan. 8, at James Black Dog Center. Interment was at the Bearcub Family Cemetery in Fort Kipp. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel was entrusted with arrangements.
