Bernice Mae Johnson-Strait

Bernice, but most knew her as Byrd, was born on top of the world in Havre, Montana and lived like she owned it. She was a rolling 5lbs. 5oz. born to the late Doug Johnson and Kathryn Stiffarm. Named after her grandmothers Bernice Blackbird and May Stiffarm carrying those names with pride. Growing up Byrd lived in numerous places with her family starting in Hays, Montana then soon moved to Albuquerque, New Mexico. From there they moved to Fort Washakie, Wyoming and then again to Fort Belknap, Montana. She graduated from Harlem High School in 1990 and while in high school she enjoyed sports such as track and field where she holds Harlem's record for discus. She was a mean player on the ball court where her father would be standing in the bleachers with his hands on his hips screaming at the ref while his wife was screaming at him to sit down. After graduating high school she attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, Kansas then Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana. Byrd gave birth to her son Christopher Johnson in October of 1994 with Vernon Cochran, her daughter Tyla Johnson in July of 1996, and her son Carter Cochran in October of 1997. During this time, she spent a lot of time with her children's grandmother Carol Cochran living and celebrating. Things blossomed even more when she had seven beautiful grandchildren: Shaylee Johnson, Christopher Johnson Jr., Jackson Yellow-Stone, Krista Johnson, Ceasar Yellow-Stone, Douglas Johnson, and Waylon Johnson. In 2008 she met her husband, Martin Strait. They got married on September 9, 2009, with her sister Storm as her maid of honor and Jeral Johnson in his crisp orange suit was called upon to be the best man. They stood together and took the best care anyone could ask for of her father. Byrd had many jobs starting as a lifeguard at Red Whip where she would swim a mile a day enjoying her job. She then was a DJ at the radio station for Fort Belknap College with her sidekicks Gerald Stiffarm, Will Gray, Virgil Kinzey, and Dean Snow. She tried her skills on the Montana MIFFS camp crew and was a part of the Fort Belknap Volunteer Fire Department. Here she was setting fires ablaze with her best friend Marcie Moore. Byrd learned all about the Indians working at Enrollment as well as a being a PBX Operator where you can still hear her voice echoing because nobody answers. Gave her hand in helping people with LIEAP then ventured off to Housing as a PBX Operator. Her life whirl winded her to North Dakota where she became famous as a bartender at Four Bears Casino. After making her mark in North Dakota she ventured back home to bring family back together. At the end of the day her professional job was being a protector. Helping raise her nieces and nephews while also making sure no one laid hands on those she loved. She taught her sisters to stand up for themselves well enough to where they bounced like Rocky and if they didn't take care of business then they were getting a whooping from her. Byrd had strong faith trying not to forget saying her rosary each night at bedtime. She also practiced her Native Traditional ways and was an avid supporter of the Sundance Lodges, dancing in the local ceremonies. During her earlier years she joined the pow wow circuit and loved dancing and singing and one could hear her lele's as she gave thanks for being able to participate. In later years she watched grandchildren dancing and at the recent Veterans Pow Wow she wanted videos of grandchildren dancing. Although she was blind, she could see if she looked closely at her tablet. With her head held high and without letting anyone know she left on her last journey as she joined family at the Big Sand where she filled paradise with lele's letting all of heavens family know she had arrived.
Travel with our love, leaving us with precious memories our Eagle Chief Woman
She is preceded in death by her father Douglas Wayne Johnson. Paternal grandparents Edger B. Johnson, Bernice Blackbird. Maternal grandparents Paul Stiffarm and May Shortman. Uncles Emerson Stiffarm Sr., Phillip "Knobby" Stiffarm, Aloysius "Dudley" Stiffarm, Benjamin "Benny" Johnson, Leroy "Tinners" Tucker. Aunts Victoria "Vikki" Johnson, Abigail "Abby" Woodenleggs, Mary K. White. Brother Brian Thomas, Garrett "Herm" Snell, Royce Perry, Deland Robertson. Sisters Larina Walker, Valerie Striker. Son Hunter Strait. Niece Alex "Big House" Castillo. Best friend till the end Nevada Blue Meyers.
Byrd was survived by her mother Kathryn Stiffarm Johnson. Children Chris Sr., Tyla Jo, and Carter. Grandchildren Shaylee, Chris Jr., Krista, Jackson, Caesar, Douglas, and Waylon. Adopted children Katie Cochran, Greg Ross, Spencer Snow Jr. Her sisters Lee (Marvin) Gray, Mardell (Adam) Castillo, Iris Johnson, Diane Johnson (Jason Horseman), Eleanor YellowRobe (Jay Eagleman), Leslie Cochran (Loren Pitkanen), Monica Stiffarm. Brother Matthew Stiffarm, Blake Stiffarm, Joe Ironman Jr., Steven Castillo, John "Strips" Paul. Adopted sisters Julie Manning, Marcie Moore, Heather Boushie, Roni Stiffarm, Natalha YellowRobe, Jojo Wise, Niki Horn. Adopted brothers Chris Plumage, Dominic Messerly, Terry Gray, Jon Weasel Sr. Aunts and uncles Margaret Flying, Helen "Dolly" (Will) Morie, Gloria (Ron) Perry, Cecila "Boppers" (Ron) Youngbear, Truby Stiffarm, Maxine Clifford, Vivian Hershel, Ronald "Fudd" (Mavis) Stiffarm, Ival "Danielle" Jackson, Stanley "P-Nutt" (Joan) Johnson, Iris Buffalo, Ona Denny, June Gerig, Bruce (Wanda) Denny, Roberta Johnson, Edgar Johnson, Elgin Johnson, Linda "Sugar" Blackbird, Irene Denny, Lincoln Begay, Deloris Plumage, Judy Gray, Ed "Bebbles" Nickleson, Delphine Connors, Phillip Shortman, Gerald Small, Lois Shortman, Myrna Gardipee. Extended family Stiffarm, Shortman, Johnson, Blackbird, Whiteclay, Stuarts, Laforge, Whitefox, Flying, Denny, Small, Perry, Strike, Filesteel, Main, Lincoln, Bradley. If we left anyone out it was unintentional.
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