Ernie “Pumpkin” Calling Last
“Ookinna”
It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of our dear brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Ernie “Pumpkin” Calling Last on November 26, 2025 in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 63 years. Ernie was born on August 20, 1962 on the Blood Reserve to the late George “Ninaa’poika” and Maude “Ootsiinakakii” Calling Last. Ernie leaves to mourn his siblings, George III, Merlin (Gina) Calling Last, Delores Bull Calf, and Andrew Bull Calf. Nephews and nieces, Ronald, Stacey, Melody, Adrian Jr. “Geronimo,” Melanie, Marty and Waylon and numerous great nephews and nieces. Uncles also left to mourn his passing, Leroy (Regina) Hunt and Moses (Shelly) Spear Chief, aunts Myrna Chief Moon, Bernice Hunt, Jessie Bird, adopted aunt Alice Wolf Child. Ernie also leaves to mourn many relatives in the Calling Last, Bull Calf, Black Horse, Buckskin, Bird, Gambler, Small Eyes, Bad Man, Blood, Spear Chief and Hunt families.
Ernie was predeceased by his parents, George Sr. and Maude Calling Last, siblings, Jeff, Catherine (Albert), Adrian Sr. and Dwayne (April) Calling Last, sister in law Holly Bull Calf. He was also predeceased by his grandparents George Sr. “Sakowa’paohkomi” and Katie “Komaay” Big Wolf and Herbert and Martha (Black Horse) Bull Calf, nieces and nephews, Crystal, Jeremiah, Woodrow, Terry, Ashley, Kyle Calling Last, Shauna and Alison Crazy Bull, Andrew Jr. Bull Calf, Andrea and Pam Scout, uncle Art Calling Last, aunts Molly Bull Calf, Catherine Blood and Rita Spear Chief, Emma (George) First Rider, Annie (Billie) Bird, Fanny (John) Small Eyes, Lucy "Piiksakii" Gambler, Susie (Frank) Bad Man.
Ernie comes from a strong heritage deeply rooted in the Blackfoot language, making Ernie a fluent Blackfoot speaker. Ernie grew up on the Blood reserve in the community of Moses Lake along with his siblings and cousins. Ernie attended school in St, Marys with his brothers. As a little boy he travelled to Washington with his parents for apple picking season, while there a family who worked alongside George and Maude, adored Ernie and called him,”Pumpkin!” Since then the name stuck. In his younger years he spent most of his time with his family, after his father’s passing, he stayed very close to his mom up until her passing. Although Ernie didn’t have children of his own, he loved and cared for his nieces and nephews. He was often babysitting, playing with them and buying them treats and gifts when he could. Ernie also had many friends in the Moses Lake community, he was known for his “quick wit!” and humour. He often made everyone around him laugh.
For the past 10 years Ernie resided in the Cardston Auxiliary where he made many friends and always had a silly comment for the nursing staff. Beyond his ailments and personal struggles, Ernie loved everyone around him and never lost his humorous personality. We take comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his parents and siblings whom he missed very much. Ernie’s passing will leave an unfillable void in the Calling Last family and the community of Moses Lake. The family apologizes for any names that may have been missed.
A wake service will be at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Sunday December 7, 2025 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. The Funeral service will also be held at Legacy Funeral Home on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Blood Band Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
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“Ookinna”
It is with great sadness we announce the sudden passing of our dear brother, uncle, cousin and friend, Ernie “Pumpkin” Calling Last on November 26, 2025 in Calgary, Alberta at the age of 63 years. Ernie was born on August 20, 1962 on the Blood Reserve to the late George “Ninaa’poika” and Maude “Ootsiinakakii” Calling Last. Ernie leaves to mourn his siblings, George III, Merlin (Gina) Calling Last, Delores Bull Calf, and Andrew Bull Calf. Nephews and nieces, Ronald, Stacey, Melody, Adrian Jr. “Geronimo,” Melanie, Marty and Waylon and numerous great nephews and nieces. Uncles also left to mourn his passing, Leroy (Regina) Hunt and Moses (Shelly) Spear Chief, aunts Myrna Chief Moon, Bernice Hunt, Jessie Bird, adopted aunt Alice Wolf Child. Ernie also leaves to mourn many relatives in the Calling Last, Bull Calf, Black Horse, Buckskin, Bird, Gambler, Small Eyes, Bad Man, Blood, Spear Chief and Hunt families.
Ernie was predeceased by his parents, George Sr. and Maude Calling Last, siblings, Jeff, Catherine (Albert), Adrian Sr. and Dwayne (April) Calling Last, sister in law Holly Bull Calf. He was also predeceased by his grandparents George Sr. “Sakowa’paohkomi” and Katie “Komaay” Big Wolf and Herbert and Martha (Black Horse) Bull Calf, nieces and nephews, Crystal, Jeremiah, Woodrow, Terry, Ashley, Kyle Calling Last, Shauna and Alison Crazy Bull, Andrew Jr. Bull Calf, Andrea and Pam Scout, uncle Art Calling Last, aunts Molly Bull Calf, Catherine Blood and Rita Spear Chief, Emma (George) First Rider, Annie (Billie) Bird, Fanny (John) Small Eyes, Lucy "Piiksakii" Gambler, Susie (Frank) Bad Man.
Ernie comes from a strong heritage deeply rooted in the Blackfoot language, making Ernie a fluent Blackfoot speaker. Ernie grew up on the Blood reserve in the community of Moses Lake along with his siblings and cousins. Ernie attended school in St, Marys with his brothers. As a little boy he travelled to Washington with his parents for apple picking season, while there a family who worked alongside George and Maude, adored Ernie and called him,”Pumpkin!” Since then the name stuck. In his younger years he spent most of his time with his family, after his father’s passing, he stayed very close to his mom up until her passing. Although Ernie didn’t have children of his own, he loved and cared for his nieces and nephews. He was often babysitting, playing with them and buying them treats and gifts when he could. Ernie also had many friends in the Moses Lake community, he was known for his “quick wit!” and humour. He often made everyone around him laugh.
For the past 10 years Ernie resided in the Cardston Auxiliary where he made many friends and always had a silly comment for the nursing staff. Beyond his ailments and personal struggles, Ernie loved everyone around him and never lost his humorous personality. We take comfort in knowing that he is reunited with his parents and siblings whom he missed very much. Ernie’s passing will leave an unfillable void in the Calling Last family and the community of Moses Lake. The family apologizes for any names that may have been missed.
A wake service will be at Legacy Funeral Home, Cardston on Sunday December 7, 2025 from 4:00 - 8:00 pm. The Funeral service will also be held at Legacy Funeral Home on Monday, December 8, 2025 at 11:00 am. Interment to follow at Blood Band Cemetery, Blood Reserve.
Click to Send Condolences to the Family