Surrounded by loved ones, our beloved mother, daughter, grandmother, aunt, and friend was called home to our Creator in the early morning hours of November 3, 2021.

Natessa Jean "DeeDee" Gopher, Miko Peyesiw Iskwesis "Red Thunderbird Girl", was born to the late Kenneth Gopher, Sr., and Patsy (Stump) Gopher on October 25, 1975, in Havre, Montana.

DeeDee was raised in the traditional way and had strong beliefs, which she believed in and practiced throughout her life.  Her world was her daughter Tyrah and her grandson Zaire, who she loved dearly.  She was happiest when surrounded by her family and enjoyed family gatherings, ceremonies, and sporting events that her daughter, nieces, and nephews participated in as Stars and Bears.

DeeDee graduated from Rocky Boy High School in 1994 eventually leading to her attendance at Stone Child College.  She met Jason Stone in summer of 1993, and they were married in May 1995 in Las Vegas.  From this union, their beautiful daughter Tyrah was born in 1997.  They later divorced and her life was spent raising her daughter.  She was employed at several tribal businesses until her health prevented her from doing so.

In her early years, she enjoyed jingle dress dancing and barrel racing.  She loved to cook for her family, family gatherings, and ceremonies.  One of her favorite pastimes was gambling at the "Big Winz" with her sidekick, her mother Patsy.  She could be seen playing two machines at a time, where she would laugh and reply "I'm going to win!"  She loved to tease and enjoyed her Facebook friends where she became very opinionated, but we can say she never ended up in Facebook jail!

She was a very kind and thoughtful person who was loved by many.  She was always smiling when you saw her, ready to tell a joke or tease you.  Her heart was made of gold, and her love was pure and genuine for all that knew her.  She will be missed but remembered.

She was preceded by her father, Kenneth Gopher, Sr.; sister, Phylis Baker; maternal grandparents, John and Blanket Stump; and paternal grandparents, Pete Gopher, Sr. and Annie White Sky Gopher.

She is survived by her beloved daughter, Tyrah Raven Gopher; her grandson, Zaire Phillip Gopher-Stanley; mother, Patsy Stump Gopher; brothers, Harlan (Kishey) Gopher-Baker, Keith (Carrie) Gopher, and Clement (Oriann) Baker, Jr.; sisters, Evelyn Baker, Colleen (Daryl) Baker, Tanesha "Pam" (Steve) Corcoran, and Tia (Dayton) Mandan; adopted brothers, Clifton Goodwill, Curtis Seesequasis, Joel Rosette, and the Southern Cree drum group; and also numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Wake services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 4, 2021, and will continue until her funeral service, which will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, November 5, 2021, all at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church.  Burial will follow in the Rocky Boy Cemetery.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.