Crystal R. (Piapot) Michel, 50, passed away due to natural causes on Tuesday, November 29, 2022, at Peace Hospice in Great Falls.  Wake services will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 1, 2022, and will continue until her funeral service, which will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, December 2, 2022, all at the Living Water Church with Pastor Jackson Henry officiating.  Burial will follow in the Rocky Boy Cemetery.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Crystal was born on May 11, 1972, in Missoula to Algie and Margaret (Flying) Piapot.  When she was young, her family relocated to Harlem for a short period of time, and then they returned to Rocky Boy, where Crystal attended school.  In 1992, she married Wes Bear, and the couple had four children before divorcing in 2002.  Crystal worked for many years as a CNA and a housekeeper in Havre and in Washington.  She married Myron Michel, and the couple later divorced.

Crystal enjoyed beading, playing the machines, going on picnics and for drives, and she adored her grandchildren.  When she was younger, she was a wonderful mother and very social, however, as she got older, her friend circle became smaller and she preferred to spend time with only those with whom she was close.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Algie and Margaret Piapot; brother, Jerod Piapot; and her great-grandparents, Irvin and Dora Flying, and Bessie Chandler.

Crystal is survived by her children, Kyle Medicine Bear of Havre, Karis (Sioux Necklace) Bear of Great Falls, Margaret Bear of Harlem, and Kodi (Matthew Payne) Bear of Great Falls; eleven grandchildren, Araya and Raiden Medicine Bear, Patience Necklace, Ahriana, Kellin, Quintin, and Luca Jaymes, Kendrick and Randall Valencia, and Haven and Athena Payne; former husband, Wes Medicine Bear of Harlem; siblings, Wanda Piapot-Berry of Oregon, Duane (Joyce) Piapot of Harlem, and Darnell Piapot of Rocky Boy; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.