Obit: Blackdeer, Bertha (1916 – 2009)

Contact: Dolores

Surname: Blackdeer, Blackhawk, Greengrass, Cloud

----Source: Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson, Co. WI.) August 12, 2009

Blackdeer, Bertha (4 August 1916 – 6 August 2009)

Bertha Blackdeer, 93, of Black River Falls passed away Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009, at Black River Memorial Hospital under the care of Black River Memorial Hospice.

Bertha Greengrass was born Aug. 4, 1916, in the Town of Komensky, Jackson County, to Edward and Jenny (Blackhawk) Greengrass. She was raised in the Black River Falls area.  She married Irvin Blackdeer Sr. in Black River Falls.  Irvin Blackdeer Sr. later died.

In addition to having lived at Black River Falls, Bertha also had lived at Wisconsin Dells, Hayward and Oneida.  She had returned to Black River Falls 12 years ago.

She wove and sold Indian baskets and made beaded Ho-Chunk hairpieces.  She was a member of the Wisconsin Folk Arts Board and served as a master instructor.

She was a member of the Native American Church of North America.

Bertha enjoyed bingo, canning grapes, making baskets, bead work, Ho-Chunk crafts, watching soap operas on television, baking and Pow-Wow music.

Survivors include a daughter, Elena Greendeer of Black River Falls; 10 grandchildren: 11 great-grandchildren; and a brother, John Greengrass.

In addition to her husband, Irvin Blackdeer, Sr., Bertha was preceded in death by two sons, Irvin Blackdeer Jr. and Oliver R. Blackdeer; an infant daughter; a granddaughter, Renee Blackdeer; a brother, Edwin Greengrass; and two sisters, Ruth Cloud and Rose Greengrass.

Native American services were held Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, 1 p.m. at the Ho-Chunk District One Community Center, Black River Falls.  Burial was in the Trempealeau Public Cemetery, Trempealeau.  Family and friends were invited for visitation Saturday, Aug. 8, 2009, starting at 2 p.m. at the Ho-Chunk District One Community Center, Black River Falls.

Buswell Funeral Home of Black River Falls assisted the family with arrangements.

Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com.