AGNES M. JOHNSTON
Ija‘se To‘ Wiya
Wearing Blue Woman
In the early evening of Tuesday, June 27, 2023 surrounded by loving family, Agnes M. Johnston began her journey. On the wintery day of February 11, 1948 Agnes was born to Savannah E. Sweeny and Raymond Johnston. She was their only child. She was born at Wolf Point’s first hospital which was located where the Clayton Memorial Chapel now stands.
She is a member of the Hude‘sana (Red Bottom) Clan of Nakota and was an active Red Bottom Celebration Committee member for many years. She grew up in the Wicohan religion, attending ceremonies and rituals all of her life. She was an ambassador of culture and was an Oil Celebration Princess and traveled with her parents to many celebrations/powwows representing the Fort Peck Tribes.
Her early years were spent in Wiota at her mother’s home. They moved to Nashua when Agnes began school. When her mother began to work for the BIA, they moved to Poplar, MT. During the winter they stayed in town so she wouldn’t miss school but the summers they spent in Wiota. Agnes graduated from Poplar High School. Upon graduation, she attended Dawson Community College for 1 year. While attending Dawson Community College, she met Arron Wayne Anderson who was the first to sweep her off her feet. They were blessed with their daughter JoBeth. Tragedy struck soon after the baby was born and Arron died.
Her best friend, Janet Youngman, convinced her to come out of grief because she was still young. “Be adventurous and let’s attend Bacon College in Oklahoma for 1 year.” With Janet twisting her arm, Agnes joined her in Oklahoma.
Returning from Oklahoma, she was swept off her feet a second time and married Harry Hamilton, and was blessed with two children. They divorced but remained friends.
Throughout her life, she held various positions with the BIA, NAES College, and the Fort Peck Tribes. After receiving her college degree, Agnes began working at Tribal Health & the Spotted Bull Treatment Center. She enjoyed working and thrived in the environment of support and friendship of her co-workers. She retired in 2012.
She enjoyed the socialization received when going to powwows, traveling and visiting new places, playing machines at the casinos, and attending ceremonies. She enjoyed being with her grandchildren and watching her favorite tv shows: Naked & Afraid and NCIS and local basketball teams during the season.
She is proceeded in death by her parents, Savannah Sweeny/ Johnston and Raymond Johnston, and her cousins John MacDonald (Jeane), Emma Jean First Raised, Corky MacDonald, Sweeny WindChief, Emily WindChief, and Sheila Standing. She is survived by her son, Raymond J Hamilton, her daughters, JoBeth Johnston and Chrissy Hamilton and beloved grandchildren, Savannah aka Sunnie Taypayosatum and Stephanie Stump, Patrick ( Aniston), Amanda Buckles, Alexes and Rayce Hamilton and a great-granddaughter, Brynlee Buckles and a great-grandson Josiah Hamilton. Her favorite cousins she was close to are Viola Morgenson, Roberta Wind Chief, Rama Saenz, JoEllen Grandchamp, Florence FourStar and MaDonna FourStar LaRoque, and Jonny BearCub. Her fur babies she leaves behind are Myrtle, Peso, Buddy, Dixie, Diamond, Georgie, Gene, and Kitty. As Agnes stepped on the road to cross the Rainbow Bridge her fur babies who had gone before her, met her to walk beside her. Those were Penelope, Princess, Jack, and Crest
Agnes has many relatives, adopted brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, and close friends too many to list but know you are thought of and she loved you all very much. She especially cherished and adopted her tribal health co-workers as her children and claimed her grandchildren’s friends as her grandchildren. We will all miss her but fond memories comfort us.
A prayer service and wake will be held Saturday, July 1, 2023 at the Wolf Point Community Hall at 7:00 p.m. Funeral services will be Sunday, July 2, 2023 at the Wolf Point Community Hall at 11:00 a.m. followed by burial at Chicken Hill. Condolences for the family may be left at bellmortuarymontana.com.
Service Schedule
Prayer Service & Wake
7:00 p.m.
Saturday July 1, 2023
Wolf Point Community Hall
Wolf Point , Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Sunday July 2, 2023
Wolf Point Community Hall
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Prayer Service & Wake
7:00 p.m.
Saturday July 1, 2023
Wolf Point Community Hall
Wolf Point , Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Sunday July 2, 2023
Wolf Point Community Hall
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
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Louise says
Sending prayers and hugs to you all. 💙
Florence Fourstar says
Agnes was a kind , caring and loving person. I am thankful that I had the opportunity to attend many of our Ceremonial events with her. I will continue to keep your family in my prayers. God gained another Angel. Fly high my friend
Jonny says
Going to miss our visits, reminiscing about old times, telling stories of the wild days when I would follow you older gals around and tell on you to your parents, plus feasting together during holidays and birthdays and any other reason we could think of to eat well. I know your happy and I am happy for you but those of us left behind will definitely miss you. Prayers and thoughts of comfort for my nieces and nephew and the grandchildren and great grandbabies. Love you “Tony Keg” or “Tunnie” or “AGGIE Rae” some of your many nicknames we have known you by.
Georgianna W Old Elk says
Sending prayers for her family- asking creator to embrace them at their time of loss.
Terry McAnally says
Condolences to all of Agnes’ family and friends.
A Moran says
My sincere condolences to her children and grandchildren. Aggie was a beautiful person. My prayers are with all her family 🙏🙏🙏🙏
Patricia Martin says
condolensenses to aggies families .she was a beautiful soul so sweet and kind lady, fly high…. patti and tiny martin hays montana……