I was in Montana for 4 days last week. I attended a wake and a funeral. Which includes around the clock eating. And I don't go to the res (Ft.Belknap Indian reservation) without eating Indian fry bread. What is so hard to admit is I've gained 7 lbs back. I will be back on track in the morning and am excited for next weeks weigh-in.
I flew to Montana to be with my mother, Katherine, while she lays her father to rest. My baby sister, Sasha from Texas, joined me along with my niece, Kristi from Chicago. Follows is my grandfathers obituary my sister, Sasha wrote.
Frank “Butch” Edward Ereaux was born May 30, 1928 at Ft. Belknap Indian Reservation, MT. He was part Gros Ventre and Alaskan Tlinget. He grew up in Dodson and soon married the beautiful Katherine Longknife of Beaver Creek. Together they had 13 children and uncountable grandchildren and great grandchildren. He had an exciting life using his strength, wit and passion working as a Rancher, Deputy, Bounty Hunter, Railroad Worker, Butcher and a determined Wild Horse Catcher. He is remembered for his colossal strength and vigor at work and in play. But, as a Father, Grandfather, Uncle and friend he can be tearfully remembered for his perpetual gentleness, love and undying devotion. There are too many lives to count that he has affected with his intelligence and wisdom. His formal education was short, but his love of learning never ended. He seemed to have intelligence beyond his education and fostered this love of learning to those around him. His knowledge of history and current events always made for a lively discussion. But, it was his connection to horses and the land he lived on that he can be most remembered for. He loved his horses and when his grandchild, Kat, asked him, “Grandpa, what’s your favorite color.” He answered, so eloquently, “The color of horses.” This represents his spirit in so many ways. Frank died on the evening of Saturday, September 26 at the Phillips County Hospital in Malta, MT after a two year struggle and beating all odds of survival…he fought…like the warrior he was. He is preceded in death by his father Lazure J. Ereaux Sr. and his mother Alice Hall-Boles, his brother Lazure J. “Babe” Ereaux Jr., his wife Katherine and two of his children Billy and Glen. He is survived by eleven of his children Lyle, Charlie, Katherine, Vesta, John, Elaine, Gwen, Bonnie, Roy, Gail, Andy, his niece that he claimed as his daughter, Stella M Ereaux, his countless grandchildren, his sister Mary Alice Ereaux and many nieces and nephews. There will be a wake at the Wathatu Lodge, Wednesday at 3:00pm and the funeral will be Thursday, October 1 at 3:30pm followed by a burial at Beaver Creek. There will be a feed after the burial.
Written with love by his granddaughter,Sasha
