Sandra Bear

Sandra Joan Spotted Bear, better known as ?Sandy? or ?Spook?, went home to her heavenly father Sunday morning, December 11, 2005. Sandy was born June 20, 1947, in Elbowoods, ND, to Olive (Sholaas) Spotted Bear-Benson and Lorenzo “Larry” Spotted Bear. Sandy attended Stephan Indian Mission Boarding School, Stephan, SD, graduating in 1965. Following high school, she attended Dickinson State College for a quarter before she entered the work force. Her early positions included office assistant for the Community Action Program in New Town, Twin Buttes elementary girls basketball coach, was a caretaker with the New Town and Dickinson Nursing Homes, then joined the U.S. Air Force in 1968. Her major assignment during this time was with the North American-Aerospace Defense Command Center or NORAD, which was located in Cheyenne Mountain in Colorado Springs, Colorado. She relished her military job and in her leisure time, she explored the Colorado countryside. One of her favorite visitation sites was in the Garden of the Gods, a park featuring several different natural stone images. She traveled overseas and while on assignment in New York attended the famed Woodstock Festival. Sandy completed her military service in 1972, with an honorable discharge. Sandy continued to serve her country with a long career in federal government. She worked as a civilian at Minot Air Force Base before transferring to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Aberdeen, SD. She then moved to Jackson Hole, WY, where she enjoyed living in the Rocky Mountains and was amazed at the large elk herds that wintered in the valley. In 1990, she accepted employment with the Federal Crop Insurance Program in Bismarck. In 1993, she transferred to Billings, MT, where she remained with Federal Crop until March 2005, when she became ill and was brought home to Twin Buttes in June by family members. Sandy was known for her quick wit, wry sense of humor, story telling and being an exceptional salad maker. Sandy enjoyed being alone with nature and the outdoors. She made it a point to camp, hike, swim and attend pow wow celebrations as often as she could. Being especially fond of Twin Buttes celebrations, she camped there every summer. She was a collector of Native American pewter pieces and other fine art and objects. Sandy was a lifetime member of American Legion of New Town, ND. She is survived by: sisters, Marian (Mitchell Cook) Spotted Bear, Alyce Spotted Bear, Karen Lynch, Roberta (Dennis) Dahlen, Ivetta (David) Holding Eagle, Helyn (Tom) Zarfos and Rhonda (David) Schettler; brothers, Lonnie (Diana) Spotted Bear, Kelly (Dee Dee) Spotted Bear, Marty Benson and Barry (Jo Jo Danks) Benson; foster sister, Julie Beston; foster brothers, James “Chicken” Marsette, Leland “Sal” Beston, and several nieces, nephews and godchildren, Jodi Rave, Patton and Bheri Rose whom she loved and cherished and tried to spend as much time with each of them as she possibly could. Sandy was preceded in death by her father, mother, and sister, G. Janet Gunderson. Sandy’s Mandan name was Wak-da or ?Plum?, an ancestral name. She was a Nagee nahwah Three Clan. Funeral services are 10 a.m., Thursday, December 15, 2005 at the Twin Buttes Memorial Hall, Twin Buttes. Interment will be in the Spotted Bear/Benson Cemetery, rural Twin Buttes. Senior Pallbearer is Evan Burr, Jr. Active Pallbearers are nieces, Faith Skogstad, Tiffany Fox, Nicole Nygaard, Coven Murray, and nephews, Carlin Rave, Jr., Morley Spotted Bear, Travis Hallam, Chad Dahlen, Lyon Wolding, Denver Spotted Bear, Brittann Schettler, Trevor Benson. Farewell song composed and sung by nephews, Cory and Clay Spotted Bear. Farewell dance performed by nephews, nieces, and godchild as follows: Whitney Bell, Justin Spotted Bear, Kelli DeAnn Spotted Bear, Sheyenne and Bheri Rose Hallam. On behalf of Sandy, the family extends their appreciation and heartfelt thanks to the Sakakawea Health & Hospice Center in Hazen, ND, for their loving, professional care and also wishes to acknowledge Ivetta and Dave for their supporting and caring for Sandy in their home.


Burial Date: December 15, 2005