Obituary - Moses L. Champagne

Moses L. Champagne, 'Ɔↄsↄhↄↄ'ↄncↄↄtib'i, Awe-saw-haw Awe-nts-awe tib-eee, Meets the Enemy, passed away Sunday, April 16, 2023, at his Havre residence.

Wake services began at 5:00 p.m., with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m., all Wednesday, April 19, 2023, and continued until his funeral service, which was at 11:00 a.m. today, April 20, 2023, all at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial followed in the Russette Family Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Please visit Moses' online memorial page to send a card or leave a message of condolence for his family at https://www.hollandbonine.com.

Moses was the oldest of a set of twins born on May 14, 1974, in Havre to David Martin "Tenis" and Emory (Brockie) Champagne. He was raised in Havre for the first few years, and then the family moved to Billings for about three years before settling in Harlem, where they remained. Moses graduated from Harlem High School in 1993, and began working as a wildland firefighter that summer, a position he held for around 10 years. He started college that fall at Fort Belknap College, where he obtained his general education credits. He then attended the University of Montana, where he broadened his business education. Once he moved home, Moses attended Stone Child College where he obtained his associate degree in building trades and business. He worked for Lakeside Construction for a short time, but a back injury restricted the work he could do, and he eventually retired. Over the years, he cut wood with his brother-in-law, James Mitchell, as a source of income.

Moses enjoyed cowboy work when he was younger. He enjoyed football, especially the Dallas Cowboys; baseball, especially the Atlanta Braves; and basketball, especially the San Antonio Spurs. He began beading as an adult, and enjoyed that for many years. Moses was a private and reserved man with those who didn't know him well, but around his family and friends, he was outgoing and loved to joke and tease. He had quite the eclectic taste in music, and enjoyed going to the casino for socialization.

Moses has gone on to be with his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ; parents, Martin David "Tenis" and Emory Champagne; siblings Clementina "Tina" Crowe, Martin Champagne, and angel baby Memory; adopted brother, Ervinal LittleSun; best friend/buddy/special nephew, Steven BearCrane Cole; and numerous aunts and uncles.

Surviving to cherish Moses' memory are his siblings, Cletus (Earline Bear Crane) Cole, Travis (Rose) Brockie, Donna Shortman, Clarence Champagne, Robert Champagne, Thomas Champagne, Martha Champagne (James Dean) Mitchell, and Emory Rose Champagne; adopted siblings, Jeremy Gone, Calvin Gone III, Erica Gone, Toya Stump, James Daychild, Matthew Johnson, Daniel James "DJ" Adams, Terri Healy, Deborah Morsette, and Todd Hanson; nieces and nephews, Phillip, Cletus Cole "CC" Jr., Felicia, Elijah, Jason, Travis Jr., Jesse, Wilson, Edison, Demetri, Tyrone, ShoShana, Titus, Shalona, Alvin "AJ", LaTasha, Clarissa, Christopher, Ricky James, Tommy, Jordana, Malcom, Jaylynn, and Josette "Josie"; 60 great-nieces and -nephews; three great-great-nieces and -nephews; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, and other extended family and friends. Moses' extended family also included the Brockies, Boyers, Champagnes, Foxes, NezPerces, Bucks, Grants, Gones, Adamses, Sandines, Russettes, Bauers, Lawrences, Cochrans, Buntons and Haases.