Bruce Spotted Bear,

Bruce Damon “Duke” Spotted Bear, Sr. , Bishoochipuuxe (Spotted Shell)/ Chilaakussaaitche (A Good Morning), went to the other side camp on April 28, 2020 in Billings MT. He was a member of the Three Affiliated Tribes and was born in Elbow Woods, ND. A son of Theodore Spotted Bear and Emma Coffey on February 27th, 1943 he was the fourth youngest of ten siblings. In 1947, at the age of 4, Bruce moved with his family to Billings, MT, and in 1950, the family built a house on Pryor Creek Road. Bruce attended Garfield Elementary, St. Charles Mission, and Morin School, where he finished 8th grade. He shared stories of his mom cooking with flour, vegetables from her garden, and eggs from her chickens. He spoke often of hunting deer with his late brother, Sylvester, with their single shot 30/30 rifle. He attended Edgar High School until his Junior year. For his Senior year, he took a train with his late brother, Sylvester, to Lawrence, KS, to attend Haskell Indian School where he completed his high school studies, and a post grad study in sheet metal. Duke began his work career at the age of 16, fire fighting in the summers. He believed in achieving an education, and encouraged his children and grandchildren to go to college and succeed in their lives. While attending Haskell, he met the love of his life, Myrna Jene Horn. They were married on July 18th, 1965 at St. Charles Mission. He would say that they were “Haskell Rascals”. Throughout his school days he enjoyed participating in basketball, softball, and flag football. As part of the US government relocation program, Duke and Myrna moved to San Francisco, CA, for a while. When the couple moved back to Pryor, he worked at a glass company in Billings before beginning work at St. Charles Mission School as a Certified Bus Driver and Maintenance man for thirty years. He was a member of the St. Charles Mission Catholic Parish. He also worked as a Certified Bus Driver and later became the Certified Maintenance man for the Pryor Public School Districts. For Duke, ranching was his retirement. Bruce, Sr. was adopted into the Crow Tobacco Society by the late Samuel and Adaline Plain Feather. From this adoption, he joined the Big Lodge Clan and was a Child of the Big Lodge Clan. In following the ways of the Crow, he prayed for many of his Clan children. Bruce, Sr. was a very skilled horseman, he always had horses from when he was a child up until his passing. He enjoyed team roping at rodeos and training race horses. “Spotted Bear Racing” was one of his joys. He owned many race horse winners of which included Alameho's Hoc, Mandan Bailey, Max's Special, Final Gift, Kachina Grey, who he raised and trained from the time he was a colt, and Nice Bones, who was owned by his nephew, Luke and was co-trained by them. A part of Nice Bones' Princess Stake win was a trip to the Kentucky Breeder's Cup, which he and his brother Max, Sr., went and had a good time. He and Myrna attended the Calgary Stampede one year. He also enjoyed attending Rugby games with Kim and Taf in Las Vegas. Duke pitched for a softball league team that he organized. He also organized a basketball team in the city independent league. He enjoyed bowling and started the family tradition of bowling every New Year's Eve. He was a Big Sky State Games Gold Medal winner in bowling with his fellow teammates: Max, Sr., Georgia & Cheryl. He coached the boys basketball team of St. Charles for many years. Duke especially enjoyed going to auctions and attending Plenty Coup Warrior basketball. He could often be found sitting by the wall with the guys at all the games. He was an avid Warrior fan. He also began attending the Hardin Bulldog games in support of his grandson, Andy's coaching. He had weekly visits with his older brother, Max, Sr., and they could often be found together at various leisure and family events. Bruce enjoyed listening to Lonnie Bell's Classic Country Music Show with his late wife Myrna every Sunday morning. He enjoyed riding to the Forsyth County Fair on Lonnie Bell's party bus to attend annual concerts with his grandchildren. The following preceded him in death: Wife: Myrna Jene Horn. Son: Bruce Damon Spotted Bear, Jr., Grandparents-One Feather, Weasel Woman, Spotted Bear and Knot Woman. Parents - Theodore Spotted Bear and Emma Coffey-Smells, Stepfather - Owen Smells. Brother-Sylvester Spotted Bear. Adopted brothers: Merle & Russell Plain Feather. Brother-in-law: Vern Hawley. Sisters: Donna Hein, Darlene Rogers, & Julia Round Face. Uncle: Pete Coffey, Sr., Aunt: Lucy Rogers. He is survived by his only daughter: Kimberly (Tafuna, Sr.) Tusi. Brothers-Max, Sr. (Dorothy), & Jerry (Peggy) Spotted Bear. Sisters: Rosemary Round Face, Jeanette Richardson, Sharon Smells & Patrice (Jake Tall Bul) Not Afraid. His grandchildren: Tafuna, Jr., Setu (Brooke) & Taumata Tusi, Tusi Ah-Mai, Sonya (Julian) Goes Ahead, Tausilia (Jesse) Wheeler. Great Grandkids: Menima Tusi, Carolyn and Sivale Wheeler, Karma, Tinei & Rizen Ah-Mai. Among his many Godchildren he became very close to his Goddaughter: Athena Spotted Bear. His Brothers and Sisters through his Tobacco adoption: Larry Bright Wings, Cerise, Billie, Teatta, Millie Plain Feather, Mary Hill & Rebecca Plain Feather, and Natalie Little Owl. Bruce also loved his many nephews, nieces & grandchildren. His extended relatives include: ND Spotted Bears, Coffeys, Rogers, Beartails and Lincolns.