Althea Fern 'Thea' Bear

ROCKY BOY — Althea Fern "Thea" Bear was born Jan. 19, 1962, in Great Falls. She grew up around the Rocky Boy Reservation and Great Falls. She went home to the Creator on June 18, 2006.

She moved to the Flathead Reservation in her mid-20s and lived the rest of her life here.

He children and her grandchildren were her price and joy. She spent the major part of her life with her dearly departed husband, Richard Neil "Rick" Bear. His loss was very hard on her, but she remained as strong as she was able to after his passing in 2001.

Her present partner and love was Roger Dale OldPerson of Arlee. They spent the last four years together and they never wanted to be apart.

Althea was an excellent mother and grandmother while she struggled with the depressing obstacles that somehow overwhelmed her in the last few years of her life. She was an artist and a perfect homemaker of her own right and provided all she could for her family.

Thea is survived by her son Steven "Pedro" LaMere of Ronan and his children Isaiah LaMere of Arlee and Uriah Twoteeth of Hebena, Canada; his special friend Adeline Lozeau of Ronan and their unborn child; her daughters ReAnna Rae Bear (Sam Colman) and their child, LaRina Rae Colman, all over Evaro, and one more grandchild on the way; Josie Lynn Bear and her child Rickisha Renee Bear of Ronan and her youngest daughter Stormy Marie Bear of Dixon; many sisters, Yvonne Rosette and her family of Box Elder, Carmelina LaMere of Great Falls and her family in Box Elder, Natalie "Peanut" LaMere of Pablo, Tracy LaMere and her family of Box Elder, and Shelley LaMere of St. Ignatius.

She was preceded in death by her mother Viola LaMere and her father, Matthew LaMere of Great Falls; her dearly departed husband Rick Bear, and her beloved nephew Rory LaMere.

Thea will be sorely missed by all of her children, grandchildren and numerous close friends and relatives. Those who truly knew her can say that "she was my friend."

Her family brought her back to her Rocky By Reservation on June 21, 2006. There she was given the honorary/traditional wake and burial services.

We, the family, ask that all who red this and knew her will say a special prayer for her journey home.