Bessie Rainingbird Chandler

Bessie Rainingbird Chandler

Bessie Rainingbird Chandler, 85, died Saturday, May 7, 2011, in Great Falls, Mont., at Peace Hospice of natural causes. Her wake service began Sunday night, with her funeral service beginning at 10 a. m. Monday, May 9, 2011, at Our Savior's Lutheran Church with Ken Writing Bird officiating. Burial will follow at the Rocky Boy Cemetery. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Bessie was born April 5, 1926, in Rocky Boy, Mont., to Arthur and Day Woman Rainingbird. She was raised and educated in Rocky Boy, attending Parker School.

She enjoyed beading, attending powwows, the sundance and round dances, watching television and buckskin making. She loved her family and friends and enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her daughter, Carmie Chandler; her sister, Nancy Rainingbird; Grandson Jarrod Piapot and great grandson Jaron Stump.

Bessie is survived by her children: daughters, Selena Piapot and Elaine Chandler, both of Havre, Mont., Barbara (Joseph) DuBois of Box Elder, Mont., and Sharla Chandler of Rocky Boy, Mont. ; her sons, Algie (Margaret) Piapot, Larry (Marlene) Piapot, Kenny Piapot and Russell (Theresa) Piapot, all of Rocky Boy, Mont. ; her sisters, Pearl (Eddy) Rainingbird Whitford, Barbara Rainingbird, Myrtle Rainingbird and Janice (Lawrence) Rainingbird Myers, all of Rocky Boy, Mont. ; numerous grandchildren; great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her grandsons, Blake Anderson, Shane Valdez and Wesley Kirkdalie; and a niece, Connie Oats Flores.