Alyce Marie Hockhalter

Alyce Marie was born on August 21, 1947, to Serena King LaRoque and Moses Stiffarm at the Fort Belknap Reservation. Alyce Marie attended the St. Paul's Mission Elementary School, and as with many from that era, she stopped out of school after eighth grade to help with her family. Alyce Marie married Fred Hockhalter, Sr. and from their union they were blessed with their son Gerald Michael. This is when Alyce Marie began her life as a homemaker and stay at home mother.

Alyce Marie was a softspoken, kindhearted person and carried herself with a grace that is not often seen. She and Fred would spend their Sundays making rounds to visit their family and friends out in Hays, and they would often bring gifts for them. They were well known for their farm and all the variety of animals they raised. When people would stop by to visit, Alyce Marie always made sure her guests left with a full-stomach and items from her garden or eggs from her chickens. Another one of Alyce Marie's hobbies was doing embroidery. She made many items such as pillowcases, baby blankets, and table runners; they were created with such amazing detail, a variety of stitches and most importantly, love. Alyce Marie gifted her creations to many people and would occasionally sell them.

In her later years, Alyce Marie's health began to decline, and she eventually damaged her shoulder which led to reconstructive surgery. This is when she went to the Northern Montana Care Center to recover and receive rehabilitation therapy from the surgery. After getting comfortable with her new environment, she made the decision to stay there permanently. She developed many friendships while there and had people from home who she was able to visit quite often.

Alyce Marie just celebrated her birthday with her birthday twin, her youngest granddaughter Emily. They had a wonderful day together, visiting and just enjoying each other's company. Her rapid decline came as a surprise to everyone, but she was surrounded by her loved ones as she made her entrance into Heaven.

Alyce Marie is preceded in death by her husband Fred Hockhalter, Sr., father Moses Stiffarm, mother Serena King LaRoque, sisters Loretta "Cookie" Stiffarm, Lorene "Bean" Doney, Georgianne "Gig" Doney and brother Jeb Stiffarm.

Alyce Marie is survived by her son Gerald & daughter-n-law Jen of Harlem, MT; grandchildren Emily, Sara and Thad as well as her great granddaughter Maya and great grandson Micah; stepchildren Rose, Richard, Shirley, Carl, Louis, Linda and Fred, Jr.; Alyce Marie also leaves behind her brothers Tater Stiffarm of Rapid City, South Dakota, William "Billy" White, Max White, and Alwayne (Val) LaRoque of Hays, MT.