Our beloved sister, mother, grandmother, and aunt Judy Ann Belgarde-Johnson left this world on November 16, 2021 in Williston, North Dakota surrounded by her family. She was born in Poplar, Montana on April 6, 1949 to Ernest and Rita (Red Eagle) Belgarde and joined her brothers, Kermit and Duane. Later came her sister, Rae, to complete their family home.
Judy in her younger years spent her time living in various parts of the United States with her family. She loved to share her stories of living in San Francisco California, Gary Indiana, Chicago Illinois, Williston North Dakota, Helena, Missoula, Plentywood, Kintar, Glasgow and Fort Kipp. The traveled to many of these through the Relocation Program and the others were simply to be close to family.
Some of her fondest memories included her uncle, Art Belgarde, who became a father figure to her and she lived with him and her Aunt Jessie in both Plentywood and Williston during her teen years. It was during her time in Williston she started her working career as a young teenager waiting tables. This was her first job and she loved to share her stories of how hard she had to work at such a young age.
In 1967, Judy took part in an educational program which took her to Missoula where she attained her GED at the University of Montana and begin her schooling to become a nurse. She was unable to finish as her family commitments returned her back to Brockton, where she made her home for the rest of her years. She continued to work in various jobs which included working at the Brockton School, Roosevelt County Medical Center, for the Fort Peck Tribes, and was also self-employed. In 1977 Judy begin working with the Fort Peck Tribes Election Committee where she started as an election judge under her mother Rita who was an election commissioner. Through the years she worked her way up from election judge to Supervisor of the Tribal Election, a positon she held until her passing. She also worked many years helping to coordinate and distribute the annual Christmas Per Cap. It was through these jobs she developed a lifelong friendship with Jackie Weeks and many other employees of the Fort Peck Tribes.
Judy was a master quilter who made thousands of star-quilts throughout her lifetime and she was honored to be part of the opening display of the National Museum of the American Indian in Washington D.C. But she was most proud of all the star-quilts she made and gave away in honor of her children, nephews, nieces, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren and anyone else in need throughout their basketball careers.
In 1975, Judy met Ben Johnson and they were together for 44 years, uniting in marriage in 2001. They spent the rest of their years raising kids and grandkids in the family home of Brockton until Ben’s passing in February of 2020. Together they were able to watch their family grow to include 8 children, 22 grandchildren, 18 great-grandchildren, and her first great-great grandchild. She relished in the joy that she had such a huge family and one of her favorite things to do was to get together for holidays, birthdays, and other events with everyone to celebrate and visit. Somedays her house seemed to burst at the seams when everyone was there to eat and share stories and laughs, but these were the days she enjoyed the most. She was the family historian and loved to share stories and family history with her kids and grandkids so they would know their family history and their relatives, near and far. Judy is remembered fondly for her many phone calls to family and friends where she dished advice, shared the news, and sometimes provided a shoulder to lean on.
Preceding Judy was her husband Ben; her parents; brothers, Duane and Eugene Belgarde; her uncles Art, Burton, and Herman Belgarde, Phillip Red Eagle Sr.; aunts Katherine Blount, Alice Buck Elk, Clara Blount, and Virginia Powell; niece, Darla Belgarde; grandson, Jarid Fast Horse Sr. and her special cousin, Harold Dean Blount.
Judy is survived by her sister, Rae Jean (Steve) Belgarde of Brockton; brother Kermit Belgarde of Walla Walla, Washington; children, Noreen (Henry) Lone Bear, Melissa (Terry) Rattling Thunder, Eugene Belgarde, Olivia (Ira) Johnson, Terrence, BJ, Brady, and Jalen Johnson, all of Brockton. Special niece, Myrna Walking Eagle and granddaughter Cara Fast Horse of Brockton; adopted daughter Michaelene Fast Horse of Wolf Point;adopted son, Gregory Jay Brugh Sr. of Newtown North Dakota and a special grandson-in-law, Joshua Fish. Grandchildren: Heather Youpee, Nichole and Nathan Lone Bear, Terrille Rattling Thunder, Keith and Jalen Belgarde, Jamis and Melvin Rattling Thunder Jr, Jacob, Alex, Quincy, Minka, and Ruby Belgarde, Bailey, Adam, Caleb, and Rita Track, William “Prime” Johnson, Jaylynn Johnson, Jordyn and Jesse Scott, and Margaux Runs Through. Great-grandchildren: Mikaila Youpee, Blair Stump, Claire and Azalea Clampitt, Chanel and Chisen Bouldin, Aden, BraeLynn, and Cace DeMarrias, Ava Lone Bear, Khalil Beauchman, Shayann Lamere, Ka’maiya Lone Bear, Kameron, Taiya, Madalyn, Matilda, and Baby Josh Fish. And special grandson Jazer Fast Horse. Judy was expecting her first great-great grandchild in April, something she was extremely excited about.
She is also survived by her aunt Gloria (Bob) Garcia of San Jose, California; cousins: Marietta Four Bear of Brockton, Eileen Buckman of Billings, Darlene Salyers, Keith, Robert, and Phillip Red Eagle of Tacoma, Washington’ Lois Anderson, Alma Steffins, Mabel Yetter and Doris Kurtz.
Judy had a huge family and thought fondly of so many especially her niece Stacy Hyatt and her sons Beau and Chance Hyatt of Bainville, Rikki Stokes of Perry, Florida, and her nieces and nephews of Frazer. We are sorry if we did not name you it was not intentional, she just had so many family and friends.
A prayer service for Judy will be 7:00 p.m., Sunday, November 21, 2021 at Brockton School. Funeral Services will be 11:00 a.m., Monday, November 22, 2021 at Brockton School with Father Akama Ukanide officiating. Burial will follow at the Riverview Cemetery in Brockton.
Service Schedule
Prayer Service & Wake
7:00 p.m.
Sunday November 21, 2021
Brockton School
215 North 5th Street
Brockton, Montana 59213
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday November 22, 2021
Brockton School
215 North 5th Street
Brockton, Montana 59213
Service Schedule
Prayer Service & Wake
7:00 p.m.
Sunday November 21, 2021
Brockton School
215 North 5th Street
Brockton, Montana 59213
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday November 22, 2021
Brockton School
215 North 5th Street
Brockton, Montana 59213
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Donald Boyd says
Prayers And Condolences To The Family In The Days Ahead
David E. & Chong Ae Boyd says
Prayers cousin and to the rest of the family.
Jim BIGHORN says
Condolences to the family.
Pamala says
Prayers for the family and the Brockton community.
Julie Bemer says
Prayers and condolences to the family.
Florence Fourstar says
My prayers and condolences for Judy’s family. God be with you in the days, ahead.
VIVIAN A HERSCHEL says
love you, family. sure will miss judy, my sister-in-law. condolences to our big family
Rita Weeks says
My sincere condolences to Judy’s family. My heart goes out to each and everyone of you. Judy touched many lives throughout the years for her work with the Tribes making sure tribal elections and per cap payments went as smoothly and with honesty. God bless our Judy Bell! She will be greatly missed.
Shari Daniels says
My sincere condolences to the families. Thanks for sharing your love of star quilts with me.
Jonny BearCub says
f\For Judy a big hug and Pinamiya for caring for our tribe and dedicating your best to our welfare. You will be truly be missed. Your smile, kind words and willingness to answer anyone’s questions was commendable. God got a treasure of an Angel when he called you home. Prayers and thoughts of comfort, strength and beautiful memories for those you leave behind.
Lori Canyon says
Condolences 💐 to the family..