Trivian Grainger

Trivian T. Grainger, 77, died Monday, June 23, 2025, at Billings.

She was born in Poplar on March 21, 1948, to Annie (Perry) White Eagle and Roscoe White Eagle. She was raised east of Fort Kipp in the area called Blair and attended schools in Brockton and Poplar.

In 1965, she met Howard “Buddy” Grainger and, on Nov. 15, 1965, they were married. One month later, they had their marriage blessed in the Catholic Church, where they were both members. They had four children, Denise, Dawn, David and Daniel. Later, when their first grandson Adam was born, they adopted and raised him as their own.

She began her career in October 1973 as a teacher’s aide for the Fort Peck Tribes HeadStart Program. Working with some of the best, she became lifelong friends with Dolly Boyd, Vivian Jones, Viola Wood and Cathy Wetsit. She continued to work and, in time, became a teacher for HeadStart until her retirement in June 1997. Of course, being home was not for her so, in August 1998, she went back to what she loved, teaching. She continued until her death. She spent 50 years and six months with the HeadStart program. No matter where she went, someone would come up to her and tell her she was their teacher. Through all these years, she has had so many priceless stories and fond memories to tell of all “her kids” she taught and coworkers.

Not only was she dedicated to her family and career, but she was also a devout Catholic. Rain or shine, and though the most trying times, mom