FLORENCE MEDICINE BEAR

Florence Marie "Tiny" Medicine Bear, 79, of Missoula, joined her ancestors in the Spirit World Sunday, Dec. 27, 2015.

Florence was born March 4, 1936, at Fort Belknap Agency, the daughter of the late Benjamin Bear and Josephine (Pephyrs) Bear.

Florence was raised by her maternal-grandparents Agnes (Red Feather) and George Cochran. She attended school in Harlem, Calexico, Calif., and Flandreau Indian Boarding School in South Dakota.

Florence married Neil Cole and together they had two children, Terry and Michele. They divorced and Florence partnered with the late Clifford "Sugar" Cole; of this union they had sons Clifford and George, and daughter Christina. Florence also adopted her granddaughter Lisa Cole.

Throughout her life, Tiny had many professions. She worked for numerous Fort Belknap tribal programs, installed fiberglass insulation and manufactured marble tabletops. She then went through on the job training and became a certified X-ray technician. Florence then moved to Billings to attend college and received her AA degree in business. Florence moved back to Ft. Belknap and worked for ONAP (Office of Native American Programs) for four years and then she was promoted to director of the Alcohol Treatment Program.

In the early 1980s, Florence moved to Missoula to be closer to her son George. In Missoula, she completed a cosmetology program and opened Tiny's Pamper Parlor along with C-H Laundry on 3rd Street. After 28 years in the laundry business she retired and moved to Stevensville, where she enjoyed spending time with her children and grandkids. Grandma Tiny worked with the Stevensville Head Start program, where she enjoyed and cherished the time spent with the kids and staff. However numerous health issues forced her to retire once again.

Florence enjoyed shopping, her many dog and one cat friends, knitting, crossword puzzles along with time spent with her children, grand and great-grandchildren. Tiny was also an "Auntie-Mom" to several of her nephews and nieces.

Florence was preceded in death by granddaughter Erin Lame Bull, grandson Donald "Hanny" Cole, her two sons Clifford "Bushy" and George Cole, and sisters Winona Quirk and Mayble "Bitsy" Avery.

Florence is survived by her son Terry L. Cole, Missoula, and daughters Michele (Ed) Adams, Stevensville, Christina Cole, Lolo and Lisa Cole, Chinook as well as one grandson and five granddaughters and many great grandchildren, and sisters Edna "Blue" Miller and Margie Plumage, and brothers Charlie and Westy Medicine Bear.

Honorary Pall Bears are Bernard Azure, Jon Adams, Ed Adams, E. Buck Priest, Ernie Cut Finger and Jimmy Miller.

Funeral Services were held Saturday, Jan. 2, 2016 at 1:30 p.m. at Light of the Valley Church. A reception and feed was held at the church directly following the service.

Condolences may be left for the family at http://www.dalyleachchapel.com.

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