Trivian Grainger

Trivian T. Grainger, our beloved sister, mother and grandmother passed away in the early morning hours of Monday, June 23, 2025, at Billings, MT. She was 77 years old.

Mom was born in Poplar on March 21, 1948, to Annie (Perry) White Eagle and Roscoe White Eagle. She was raised east of Fort Kipp in the area called Blair and attended schools in Brockton and Poplar.

In 1965 she met the love of her life, Howard “Buddy” Grainger, and on November 15, 1965, they were married. One month later they had their marriage blessed in the Catholic Church, where they were both members. Together they had 4 children, Denise, Dawn, David and Daniel. Later, when their first grandson Adam was born, they adopted and raised him as their own.

Trivian began her career in October 1973 as a teacher’s aide for the Fort Peck Tribes HeadStart Program. Working with some of the best, she became lifelong friends with Dolly Boyd, Vivian Jones, Viola Wood and Cathy Wetsit. Mom continued to work and in time became a teacher for HeadStart until her retirement in June 1997. Of course, being home was not for her so in August 1998 she went back to what she loved, teaching and continued until her death in June 2025. Mom spent a total of 50 years and 6 months with the HeadStart Program. No matter where she went someone would come up to her and tell her she was their teacher. Through all these years, she has had so many priceless stories and fond memories to tell of all “Her kids” she taught, and coworkers.

Not only was Trivian dedicated to her family and career, but she was also a devout Catholic. Rain or shine, and through the most trying times, mom remained strong in her Faith and went to Mass diligently. In her earlier years, she would sometimes assist with Mass as a Eucharist Minister. One of her wishes that is being carried out was to be buried with a Rosary that was blessed at the Vatican in Rome, Italy, and gifted to her by her cousin, Carol Bemer.

Trivian is survived by her sister Janice White Eagle-Johnson; children Denise, Dawn, Dave (Marlene), Dan, and Adam; grandchildren Tina Kohl, Jordan Grainger, David “DJ” and Gavyn Grainger, Kyle and Racine First. She also has two grandchildren that she thought the World of and was currently helping to raise, Ashton and Cale Grainger; great-grandchildren Johnnie and Joshelle Stormy, Allie and Jaylynn Grandchamp, Cali Kohl, and her only great grandson who was the light of her life, Maverick Kohl. Mom also has two adopted sons that she was so proud of, Russell (Francine) Boxer, and Keith (Sunee) Erickson; nieces Lisa (Joe) Boxer and “Baby” Ann White Eagle, nephew Roger Headdress (Nikki); sisters-in-law Marquieta (Tom) Colgan, Margie Stump, and Marilee Buckles; brother-in-law Morris (Eileen) Buckles. She is also survived by so many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and godchildren, they are too numerous to mention. The families include Perry, Black Dog, Four Bear, First and Smith.

Special longtime friends include Kate Lafloe, Babes Prichard, Glena Lockman, Charlie Headdress, Charlene Cheek, Floyd Azure, Sr., Edith Adams, Thomas “Pudd” Brown, Sharon Red Thunder, Lori Berger, Marta Jones, Idalynn Magnan, Cheryl Cantrell, Machelle and Jodie Boyd.

Preceding her in death are her parents, Roscoe and Annie; her husband of 30 years, Buddy; baby twin sisters Trivian and Theresa White Eagle; sister Annette Boxer; baby brother Joseph White Eagle; brothers Thurman and Kenny White Eagle; grandson Jay Grandchamp; nephews Michael and Wade White Eagle; niece Lizabeth Boxer Graham; mother-in-law Marjorie “Tootie” Buckles; sisters-in-law Bonnie “Chickie” Weinberger and Mona Blackdog; brothers-in-law Ronnie Grainger and Leslie “Sandy” Grainger.