CURLY RIDER

I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith. 2 Tim 4:7
Curly Rider: MARTIN SR. CURLY RIDER went to be with his Lord and Savior Tuesday night, October 6th, 2020 at the Chinook Regional Hospital Lethbridge, Alberta surrounded by his loving family and friends. Born on April 5th, 1941 died October 6th 2020. 
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Martin Sr.  died in faith and we know that when he saw heaven and met Jesus face to face it was just not an option to return to this earth. Martin Sr. was a wonderful husband, a great father, a grandpa, a great grandpa, a minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ and faithful servant of the Lord. Martin Sr. is survived by his loving wife of 31 years, Judy Mills Curly Rider and his children Marion (Casey) Three Suns, Martin Jr. (Crystal) Curly Rider, Wilton Curly Rider, Reynold Curly Rider, Joshua (Stephanie) Curly Rider, Amelia (Johnathon) Crying Head and step children Colin and Crystal Mills.  He also raised Matana as his own. Matana was his and Judy’s little sidekick, she was raised like a little old lady- eating porridge at 6am and watching APTN on their non traveling days- their very own Kiipitaipoka.  Grandchildren, Tracy, Tannis (Dominique), Caleb (Marcy), Sheridan, Winslow (Brooklynn), Waylon, Matthew (Kayla), Vishura, Madison, Matana, Silas, Branden, Angel, Emily, Amaziah, Kirby Mills, Junior Mills, Cathy Mills, and Rochelle Mills. Great-Grandchildren- First Great Grandson John Jr, Kenyon, Luke, Nova, Lake, Late DeRozen, Chevy, Roziz, Taliyah, Paisley, Kylen, Kingston, Tiarah, Hannah, Little John, Chloe, Justice and Ryan in addition to all of Martin’s other Great Grandchildren . Traditional adopted Children Franklin (Annette) White Quills, Curt (Gayle) McDougall, Frank (Vivian) Keshane, Wesley Three Suns, Ricky Taylor, Stan (Rose) Hairy Bull, Doug (Laura) Iron Shirt, Ken Datema, Melvin Zephaniah Tsosie, Wayne (Valerie) Johnson, Sundance and Sunshine Brass; Siblings, Beatrice Hirsch, Jack Jr. Curly Rider, Steven Curly Rider, Bernadette Wolf Child, Lillian Curly Rider; aunties Francis Gros Ventre Boy and Rose Mary Gros Ventre Boy.  Adopted Brother In Christ: The Nargo Brothers from the Navajo Nation (Alfred Nargo, Robert Nargo, Roger Nargo, Gene Nargo, Boots Wagner) Clarke Stevenson, Joe Bourque, Larry Weasel Head, Vincent Yellow Old Woman, Ray Black Plume, William Messenger and his best friend Stuart (Marion) Weasel Moccasin. Special Christian Families the Late Leland and Ella DeWater and family from Spokane, Washington, Bernard Hoss (Joanne) Jack from Saskatchewan, Jim Felix Saskatchewan, Papa John Vaughn from Spokane, Washington; Eugene Satterwhite from Tacoma, Washington; American Horse Family from North Dakota; the Baca family from Alamo, New Mexico; In-laws Judy’s brothers William, David and Alex Mills, Sister Faye Mills.
At the time of his passing, Martin Sr. ministered the Word of God among the First Nation people in Canada and United States and fulfilling the role of a Spiritual father to many. 
Dad also owned a Gospel Tent where he brought his tent with his family to Crow Agency, Lapwai Idaho, Carrier (Tachet) First Nation in BC and surrounding area. 
One of his ministries as he went out to the gospel, he brought his young son to sing and preach Josh in the gospel field also earlier life dad attended St Mary’s Residential School and survived the atrocities that our people experienced as survivor. He went home from school and never returned back as his Father Jack Sr. kept him home. In his younger day’s dad was a hockey player and his position was a center and forward. He played with the Big Corners and also played in the B Side All Native Tournament and his son Martin Jr had a privileged to play also on Ice with the team the Lavern Red Wings in 1993-1996. 
Dad was very supportive and proud of all his children and grandchildren in sports such as Hockey, Fastball, Basketball but the greatest was seeing them serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ as he raised them in the Christian Value and instilling them and rooting them in the Gospel.  
Dad was also a Farmer in his younger days he loved seeding and cropping with his brothers and uncles and in the Gospel, he was also a sower preaching the Salvation of Jesus Christ. 
Dad also worked for local farmers such as Wallace Archibald, Henninger, Forest Bevans where he also had the privilege to work with his Son-In-Law Casey in the Field.  
He was employed with the Blood Tribe Public Works for many years and we as the family would like to thank you for your support. Dad was also a carpenter and he worked for housing contract and with his skills he helped in the Navajo Nation build two churches on his gospel trip one in Sweetwater Arizona and Alamo New Mexico. Dad was a jack of all trades one of his hobbies he enjoyed doing leather work and he enjoyed reading his favourite was his Bible that gave dad comfort and brought him through his journey of his trials. 
Dad enjoyed family gathering and events, he supported his nieces and nephews in every way he could help out. Dad loved his siblings and he tried to be with them also. 
This world has lost a great man, but heaven is rejoicing with dad as he dances on the streets of glory with the lover of his soul Jesus Christ. 
Dad loved all his children and grandchildren he spoiled them and always made sure they had everything that they needed. Dad was very heart broken when he lost his baby girl Joanne Curly Rider in 2016 and his great grandson DeRozen in 2018. 
Dad we love you and we thank you for planting the seed of the Gospel as you trained us and also instilling us to work hard and to go for our education but to always put God first and pray and have faith. 
Martin was predeceased by his first wife Emily (Morning Owl) Curly Rider in 1989, Dad Jack Sr. Curly Rider 1994, Mother Maggie (Chief Moon) Curly Rider 2007. His siblings Andrew Curly Rider, Theresa Eagle Plume, Pauline Curly Rider, Molly Curly Rider. His Brother- in-laws, Patrick Eagle Plume, Leo Wolf Child, Winston Bird, Dan Hirsch, Roderick Shot Both Sides and Sister-in-laws Josephine Curly Rider and Clara Day Rider. Uncles Dan Chief Moon, Victor Chief Moon, Harold Chief Moon, Horace Chief Moon, Alec Crying Head, Donald Gros Ventre Boy and Aunties Minnie Chief Moon and Ruth Many Grey Horses; Leslie Mills, BJ Mills, Kurtsey Mills; great Uncle Pete Many Fingers; Pete Beattie Gros Ventre Boy; Dora First Charger.
Well done my faithful servant Matthew 25:21
The family apologies if we have missed anybody as Martin Sr, had a lot of Family and Friends.

A Wake Service will be held at New Life Fellowship Church in Little Chicago, Blood Reserve, AB on Friday, October 16th, from 6:00 pm. continuing all night. 
The Funeral Service will be held at New Life Fellowship Church in Little Chicago on Saturday, October 17th, 2020 at 11:00 am.  Interment in the Pioneer Cemetery.
LEGACY FUNERAL HOMES LTD., CARDSTON Assisting the Family.  Phone 403-653-3222.

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