The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

Phyllis Speak Thunder passed into the spirit world on April 1, 2017 due to complications from surgery surrounded by her sisters and loved ones. She was born on December 27, 1951 to George Speakthunder and Evelyn First Raised Speakthunder. She was raised in the valley and attended Harlem School until the 8th Grade. She then attended the Chilocco Indian School in Oklahoma and graduated in 1969. She attained a Bachelors degree in elementary education from Northern Montana College in 1980.

Phyllis was raised within a large immediate and extended family and was exposed to the Assiniboine customs and beliefs at an early age. Throughout her lifetime, she maintained these cultural traits by helping people, assisting, planning, being an active participant in cultural activities, and being kind and generous to elders and youth. Phyllis loved listening to Pow Wow music. She participated in the World Peace and Prayer ride from the valley to the Black Hills, a month-long horseback ride. She loved to read, travel, attend pow-wows, where she enjoyed dancing and singing at the drum, camp out, laugh, tell stories, and spread her infectious laughter. When younger she chased floppers, and picked berries, turnips, and asparagus.

Her children and grandchildren were the most important people in her life. She loved them all so much and did everything for them through thick and thin. She left a career to take care of her son who attended school in Great Falls. She learned the sign language to show her love for Brooks. Her love for her children and grandchildren was immense and she loved them equally.

Phyllis is survived by her five children: Thomas Jake "Geese" (Crystal) Speakthunder, son of Thomas Jake, Nicolette Long Fox, Robert (Shirley) Long Fox, and Sterling Long Fox, children of Robert A. Long Fox, and Brooks (Helena) Cochran, son of Kenneth Cochran. She had 16 grandchildren and 1 great-granddaughter. Her surviving siblings include Ronnie, Lois, Verna, Leon, Leta (Swede), Wilma (Dennis), and Donald "D-Matt" SpeakThunder. She was preceded in death by her husband Kenneth Dean Cochran, parents, George and Evelyn Speakthunder, an older sibling Donald, grandparents Estelle Left Hand and Al Blackbird, Louis and Irene Rock Speakthunder, Leo First Raised and her beloved son Gary Dean Ten Bear.

Pallbearers are D-Matt Speakthunder, Pat Cole, Dennis Juneau, Ron Tyler Speakthunder, Phillip Shortman, Stuart Lawrence.

Honorary pallbearers are all her friends and family.

Phyllis' family thanks all who have touched her life in any way. Wake began at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, April 5, 2017, and continued until her funeral, which was at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, April 6, 2017, all at the Red Whip Center. Burial followed in the Sacred Heart Cemetery. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Phyllis' online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for her family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

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