Bert Patrick Eder

Bert Patrick Eder

RED LODGE - Bert Patrick Eder was tragically taken from us too soon, two days after his 100th Birthday, where he celebrated with friends and family (and lots of cake). Bert Patrick Eder was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, on Dec 16, 1923 to Ray Martin Eder and Minnie Sky Arrow. Bert was one of four brothers: Jimmy, Jack, and Ray K. When his mother died, he was sent to live on the Fort Peck Assiniboine Sioux Reservation near Wolf Point with his grandmother, Maude Buckles. He attended the Fort Peck Agency Boarding School in Poplar. Later, Bert attended Poplar High School, where he had many adventures, including jumping on the ice flows of the Missouri River.

After World War II began, Bert (illegally) joined the National Guard for 9 months while underage. He enlisted (for real) in the Army Air Force in 1943. He served on Tinian in the Mariana Islands building runways. When he returned to the US, he worked at the Great Falls Air Base and was in the National Guard for another 3 years. Back on the reservation he held many jobs, including being a Tribal Policeman. He lived life with gusto: riding broncs, learning to fly airplanes, and getting drunk with friends. He married and had nine children, but then his wife left him. Bert knew it was time to settle down and quit drinking. That's when Alcoholics Anonymous came into his life. Bert began trying to help others on the Reservation suffering from alcoholism through several organized efforts.

He married Jo Ann Eder, a VISTA who worked with some of his children. They moved to Lame Deer on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation where they had many friends. Their son Mark was later born at the Crow Agency Hospital. That made 10 kids!

Due to his AA efforts, he was hired to run a program through Rocky Mountain College and the University of Utah to help organize similar programs on the other Reservations. This led to his position as Chief of the Indian Desk at the newly formed National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism in D.C. Bert eventually resigned due to bureaucratic restrictions, but remained a consultant for several more years. He was sober for 57 years, and spent most of those helping others.

The last months of Bert's life were made comfortable by visits from his friends and the exceptional care provided by Shilo Moncada, Yasha and Jody Ackerman, and the Beartooth Billings Clinic Hospice team.

The family is also grateful to Rubin Ackerman, John Potter, Gerald Sherman, and Jael Kampfe for ensuring that Bert joined his Native ancestors with appropriate ritual.

At the time of his death, Bert was the oldest living member of his tribe. He is preceded in death by his parents, his three brothers, his sister-in-law Catherine Rider Eder, as well as three of his children, Gregory, Gloria, and Georgianna. Bert is survived by his beloved wife Jo Ann; his seven living children: Gary, Gail [Ray], Bert Jr (Pat), Sunshine, Glenn [Suzanne], Galen, and Mark [Kim]; and his many grandchildren, great grandchildren, nephews, nieces and their families.[ya%]

[cw31][cs0][f20][p9.5][v10.5][s11.4][r%][ya] The memorial service will be held Tuesday, February 6, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at St. Agnes Catholic Church in Red Lodge. In lieu of flowers, Bert requested that donations be made to St. Agnes Catholic Church, P.O. Box 1067, Red Lodge, MT 59068, or to the Montana Rescue Mission, P.O. Box 3232, Billings, MT 59103. [ya%]

[cw31][cs0][f20][p9.5][v10.5][s11.4][r%][ya]A graveside service and internment of Bert's ashes is expected in summer 2024. [ya%]