Obituary - Lois "Jensen" Gopher

Lois “Jensen” Gopher, 74, passed away due to natural causes on Saturday, September 8, 2018, at her residence.

Wake services began at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 9, 2018, and continued until her traditional funeral service, which was at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, September 10, 2018, all at the Leslie Lodgepole residence on Brookwood off Taylor Road. Burial will follow in the Rocky Boy Cemetery. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Jensen’s online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Jensen was born on November 28, 1943, in Fort Belknap to Lawrence and Mary (Little Sun) Murie. She was raised in Rocky Boy, attending school there. In 1960, she met Tommy Gopher, and the couple had eight children. Over the next several years, Jensen cared for her family. She and Tommy separated in the early 1970s, and several years later, a relationship was built between Jensen and Rodney Four Colors. Jensen worked hard at home and continued her education by obtaining her bachelor’s degree in nutrition from Montana State University — Bozeman (Go Cats!!). She worked at the Rocky Boy Clinic, as an EMT for the ambulance crew, and finally as the WIC coordinator until her health required her to retire at 65.

Jensen loved going to rummage sales and thrift stores and landscaping her yard. Throughout her life, she touched many lives through her kindness. Her faith in ceremonial and traditional ways carried her throughout her life. She was very active in ceremonies, sweats, Sun Dances, and the Native American Church. Most of all, she simply adored her grandchildren, and they could usually be found at her house, spending time with their beloved Grandma. Her family was her life, and she left an indelible impression on this earth and will not be forgotten.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Tommy Gopher; children Elizabeth (Gopher) Wetsit and Joseph Gopher; daughter-in-law Jewell Gopher; grandson Jericho Small; great-grandson Kaidynce Small; parents, Lawrence Murie and Mary Lodgepole; siblings Cynthia Murie and Duane Lodgepole; niece Jodi Murie; and special friend Rodney Four Colors.

Jensen is survived by her children Thomas Gopher of Great Falls, and Laurie Gopher, Juanita (Orty) Rock, Paul (Gina) Gopher, Althea (Neil LaMere) Gopher, Jackie (Spencer Russette) Gopher, and Hadushka Howell, all of Rocky Boy; 31 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren with three on the way; stepchildren John and Jodi Four Colors; siblings Robert Murie, Jolene (Doug) Crebs, Sharon (Leonard) Cantrell, William (Marge) Lodgepole, Jr., Leslie Lodgepole, Sandra Stump, Donovan (Terrie) Stump, and Odessa (Andrew) Medicine Horse; and numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and other extended family and friends.