Roberta Marie Old Bear Medicine Horse

Roberta M. Old Bear - Medicine Horse, 66, Axbaliilish of Lodge Grass, Montana, made her journey to the Other Side Camp on December 30, 2025. She was born on March 28, 1959, in Crow Agency, MT, to Cleo and Louise Medicine Horse. Roberta was raised by Jessie Old Bear in Lodge Grass, MT. Roberta was an enrolled member of the Apsáalooke (Crow) Tribe and was a member of the Big Lodge Clan and a child of the Big Lodge Clan. A lifelong resident of the Lodge Grass community, she was a member of the First Crow Indian Baptist Church and Night Hawk Society. Throughout her life, Roberta worked in various roles - including as a court clerk, Fish & Game clerk, casino cashier, and city clerk, earning the respect of her community through her love and dedication.

One of Roberta's favorite pastimes was playing bingo and the card game Pitch with her best cousin friend, Carol Bulltail, and the Bulltail family. They would even travel as far as Idaho to enjoy bingo nights together. Roberta was also proud of her skills in Handgames; in 2024, she scored the winning stick in the Senior Handgame tournament, earning the title of 2024 Senior Handgame Champion. She also loved to just chill, smile, and laugh with her crew and have a good time wherever she was.

Roberta was a woman of deep faith and spirituality. She believed in God and was always praying. She was a frequent Sweat Lodge goer and participated in the Sun Dance ceremony numerous times, entering to pray for her family and community. Roberta carried those prayers and love for others in her daily life. "Mama Berta" looked out for everyone - no matter what - and even if it was her last, she would share it. Friends and relatives always felt comfortable stopping by her home, whether to visit and hang out, enjoy a meal, or seek emotional support. She loved everyone as her own, never judgmental and always accepting and caring. Roberta was constantly smiling and laughing, bringing joy to those around her. And while she had a warm and loving spirit, she was also strong-willed and fierce, never one to back down when it came to standing up for herself or her loved ones.

Roberta was preceded in death by her parents, Cleo and Louise Medicine Horse; Jessie Old Bear, who lovingly raised her; her daughter Robyn Medicine Horse; her grandkids Ray, Leo'la, and Issace Gardner; her aunts Agnes Old Bear, Violet Other Medicine, Violet Birdinground, and Rosaline Morrison; her uncles Gus Old Bear, Eugene, Elmer "Slim", and David Sr Yarlott.; her numerous siblings Fredlyn, Freda, and Loren Old Bear, Elretta Parker, Gustine, Stephen, Edward, Gus, Loris, and Bert Old Bear, Cleo Medicine Horse Jr., Victoria Brown, Sonya Roundface, Charlotte Spotted Horse, Brenda Yarlott, Laura Morrison, and Patrick Nomee; and her nieces and nephews Raelynn Old Bear, Kalsey Birdinground, Cleo "Spike" Medicine Horse III, and Royce Reed.

Roberta is survived by a large extended family. Roberta's children who survive her include her daughters Lorna Old Bear, Lynn, and Rona (Mike) Gardner, Martika (Reg) Pretty Paint, Janalene Amyotte, Monica Chief At Night, and Deanna (John) Bacon; and her sons Leonard ("Aggie") Gardner, Patrick Amyotte, and Eugene Jess Birdinground. She is also survived by her adopted mother Josie Nomee Stands and her uncle Garland Not Afraid. Roberta was a proud grandmother to Quannah (Elizabeth) Old Bear, Agnes J. (Bryan) and Emerson White Hip, Mary J Costa, Nyleena and Faylynn Bull Chief; her partners Brenda and Rudy Shane, Tyrel, Cleo, Alayna, and Eli Shaw, McKennon Gardner, Landon, Mary, and Walker Flatmouth; and a loving great-grandmother to Bella and Zaylee Old Bear, Zavannah Doane, Tysaun and Jaeonna Shane. Her sisters: Te-Atta, Lori, and Tela Old Bear, Lydia (Eugene) Birdinground, Rosaline Old Bear, Theo (Elias) Hugs, Ora Mae Medicine Horse, Charlotte Jefferson, Charlene (Mark) Johnson, Melinda Dawes, Janice Morning, Laura and Joanna Jon Nomee, Mary (Henry) Little Light, Edwina Bad Bear, Pauletta (Terry) Birdinground, Caroline Pretty Weasel, Delmyrna Yarlott, Marcia (Benito) Brown, Tori Half, Francine, Davine, and Linda Morrison, Myrna Medicine Horse, and Gloria Espinoza. Her brothers David and Lee Old Bear, David Jr., Eugene, and Curtis Yarlott, Marlin and Thomas Yarlott, James Morrison, Oliver and Aaron Yarlott, Deno Not Afraid, Benito Morrison, and Oliver Spotted Horse.

Roberta had many adopted brothers whom she cherished as family: Art Alden, Lance and Steven House, Clemet Nomee, Scott Medicine Horse, CJ Not Afraid, Benny Rock Above, Clayton Old Elk, Quincy Dabney, and Keith Spoonhunter. She leaves behind numerous beloved nieces and nephews including - nieces Kobi (Ace) Amyotte, Tahnee and Taryn Spoonhunter, Keesha (Jack) Spoonhunter-Khen, Tamera and Jessica Old Bear, Rona (Lyndon) Driftwood, Carrie and Kallie Hugs, Jill (Mike) Hill, Gina Medicine Horse, Carol Dean Reed, Jodene Big Hair, and Myra Medicine Horse; and nephews Robin (Kallie), and Willie (Barb) Old Bear, Zac (Whitney) Birdinground, John Hugs, Josh Medicine Horse, Darius Deputee, Marlin Cloud, and David Melendrez. Roberta opened her heart and home to many adopted children who also survived her: Bethany Rides Horse, Charmayn Hugs, Shawndae Old Elk, Jimino Leider, Ronnie Falls Down, Rob Nomee, Elias Plainfeather, Eric and Larry James Morrison, Martin and Frank Rides Horse, Frank Bastien, Delano Falls Down, and Zac Bacon.

She also leaves behind her dear cousin friend Carol Bulltail - her BFF and bingo/pitch partner - and her close friend Roman Pease, along with countless other friends and relatives whose lives she touched. Extended family includes the Old Bear, Chief At Night, Yarlott, Wilson, Morrison, Medicine Horse, Big Hair, Bear Cloud, Old Coyote, and Smart Enemy families.

The family would like to thank Lodge Grass Clinic Emergency Department, Crow Indian Health Services Emergency Department, Big Horn County Ambulance, Mayor Quincy Dabney of Lodge Grass, the First Crow Indian Baptist Church Lodge Grass, and the Crow Tribe for the care and support given to our beloved Roberta Marie.

Roberta will be dearly missed by all who knew her. Her legacy of faith, love, generosity, and strength will continue to guide and inspire her family, friends, and the entire community. In our time of grief, we apologize for any family members or friends who may have been unintentionally omitted, as well as for any grammatical errors or misspelled names.