Alfred Carlyle Braine, Hokšilá Mázá (Iron Boy) went on to the Next Camp on June 16, 2019. Father’s Day will forever be his day for his family. He was proud to be Assiniboine, Hunkpapa Lakota and Yanktonai Dakota and enrolled at Standing Rock, in North Dakota.
Alfred was born December14, 1934 to Christine (Sis) Cain Braine and Carl Braine at the Lame Deer Hospital. They lived in Lame Deer until his father was drafted in the Army during WWII. They moved to Tacoma Washington, where Alfred attended school and developed a love for the ocean and his mother worked as a welder in the shipyards. In 1946, after the war, his dad bought a big army truck and moved his family back to Lame Deer along with his brother-in-law, Bud Cain and his family. Although his mother was from Poplar and his father was from Standing Rock, Alfred spent the rest of his life on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, which he loved as his own.
Alfred was an outstanding athlete and enjoyed participating in football, basketball, track, baseball and boxing engaging in these sports from grade school through high school with his best friends Clarence Rogers and Jacob Tallbull Sr. He graduated from Colstrip High School in 1954 and just a few months later married the love of his life, Ruby Pittman, on July 31st, 1954. To this union were born four children. This July, they would have celebrated 65 years of marriage, having lived nearly all these years where they currently reside in Ashland.
Alfred enjoyed the outdoors and loved fishing, hunting and camping. He had many great adventures with his children, grandchildren and his many, many, fishing and hunting buddies. He taught his children and grandchildren the importance of providing for your family through subsistence and honoring that which offered us life. He preached ethics, safety, respect and sportsmanship in all activities and always had a story to share. He spent many, many hours with friends of his children teaching them and treating them as his own.
Alfred was an invested member of the Ashland and St. Labre communities. He and Tony Foote were instrumental in the establishment of a St. Labre Volunteer Fire Dept and served as Co-Fire Chiefs for more than 20 years. He and Richard Tallbull organized and administered a Boy Scout Troop for several years, hosting the Annual Winter Jamboree at Crazy Head for several hundred scouts from the region. Alfred was always concerned about tribal member access to employment and better wages and joined a group of men, in the late 60’s and early 70’s to establish a vocational program through the Indian Action Team, the precursory organization to the Indian Action Project and Dull Knife Memorial College. Alfred was a strong advocate of education encouraging his wife, Ruby, as she worked to obtain her B.A. and continued that support for his children and grandchildren that sought advanced learning and a degree. He sat on the JOM Committee and the Headstart Parent Committee for numerous years, giving of his time and personal resources to “help grow” the community and give others a hand up. As an electrician he gave considerable time and resource to people requesting his services, accepting whatever was offered in payment be it a simple “thank you”, a cup of coffee/meal or currency. He helped everyone who requested his assistance, for whatever reason, to the best of his ability.
Alfred or Sonny, as he was known to many, was a man who believed in work and possessed a strong work ethic. He worked at a number of jobs including road construction, firefighting and bartending, often moonlighting while employed by Tongue River Electric Coop., as a meter reader and lineman for 17 years; Yellowstone Electric, as a journeyman electrician for 5 years; and St. Labre Indian School, as the lead electrician for nearly 25 years and until his retirement in 2000.
Alfred took pride in the accomplishments of his children and grandchildren and assisted in raising them all, being especially close to those who grew up in his home. He loved his family with all his heart and greatly enjoyed attending any function where his grandkids were playing ball, singing, dancing, barrel racing, running or competing in any fashion. He worked at passing on his competitive nature to them all.
He will be greatly missed!
Al was preceeded in death by his parents; grandsons Taryn Lonebear and Linus Braine; adopted son Jamie Antone; adopted mother Mary Underwood; adopted brother Marvin Spotted Elk; and special relatives Bud Cain, Randy Elliott, Sharon Hilderman, Josephine Hilderman, Wally Cain, Bobbi Jo Elliott, and KC LaFever.
Alfred is survived by his wife Ruby, daughters Carrie Braine and Roxanne (Barry) Howe; sons Dean and Terry; sisters JoAnn Elliott and Susan Braine; brother Gary (Audrey Kirn ) Braine and grandchildren; Ross (Megan) Braine; Hakala Skye Kills Wood Woman; Ceysha, LaToya and Joshua Brady; Jonae and Atiya Braine; Mitchell, Diamond and Teanna Braine; Danny Morales, Tristan and Talon Lonebear, Torey Wolf Voice, Taliyah Medicine Horse and Tyvon Howe; great grandchildren Carsyn and Taryn Lonebear and Michael and Thomas Braine; special relatives and friends Jim, June, Dennis, Jimmy and Kim (Rey) Dahl, Leland (Jeanette), Tami, Wade and Trina Pittman, Bill (Kathy) Pittman, JoAnna Littlebird and Mylee Pretty Weasel, Karen and Monica Braine, Elizabeth Fisher, Susie Wilsey, Geraldine Fisher, Ha Soon Hanic, and Ernie and Mary Jane Robinson; and adopted sisters Erma Spang and Josephine Sandcrane.
The family would like to thank the staff of the Northern Cheyenne Service Unit Dr. Jin Harris, Peggy White, Shelby Limberhand and Sabel Kerzman and the nurses of the Crow-Northern Cheyenne Hospital for their care and assistance with our Dad. Stevenson and Sons has been entrusted with arrangements. We thank each of you for your prayers, presence, support and concern and apologize if we have mistakenly omitted anyone.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Thursday June 20, 2019
St. Labre Catholic Church
St. Labre, Montana 59003
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Friday June 21, 2019
St. Labre Catholic Church
St. Labre, Montana 59003
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Friday June 21, 2019
St. Labre Cemetery
St. Labre, Montana 59003
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Thursday June 20, 2019
St. Labre Catholic Church
St. Labre, Montana 59003
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Friday June 21, 2019
St. Labre Catholic Church
St. Labre, Montana 59003
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Friday June 21, 2019
St. Labre Cemetery
St. Labre, Montana 59003
Share
Carla & Jay Johnson says
Deepest sympathy and prayers for strength to Ruby, Carrie, Roxie, Dean & Terry and extending family in the passing of Dad. He is now with all the loved ones that went before him and they are all watching down on you to keep you safe from harm. God bless all of you!
Wanda Bixby says
Keeping you all in my prayers May God wrap his loving arms around you and guide you
Patsy Brey Houseman says
So sorry for your loss of Alfred. Prayers for all of the family.
Donna and Jamie Stevenson says
Prayers and thoughts are with all families.
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES TO THE FAMILY OF ALFRED BRAINE AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF BELOVED LOVE ONE,
colleen waggoner erickson says
colleen waggoner Erickson & Dick Erickson
June 19,Our thoughts and prayers go to all the family of Alfred and Ruby Brainer
Sue Tarter says
My hugs and best wishes go out to Ruby, Carrie and their entire family. Carrie was one of my first friends at Ashland Public and has become on of my favorite adult F B friends. Sorry for the community’s loss of such a fine man. Sue Tarter
Lynette Spang says
Prayers to Ruby and family for the loss of your loved one!
Emily Levine says
Thinking of you all, Susan, JoAnn, Ruby, Carrie, and the rest of the family.
Sable Kerzmann says
My prayers & love go out to Ruby & Al’s entire family. He was such a great man- he had many that loved him. I especially loved his quick, witty humor- he was always so good to me- and I will always remember that ❤️ Rest in Peace, Al 💙
Kimberly Sue Spang says
Oh Al..I am going to miss you so much!!! I knew you my whole life… Prayers, hugs, love to the Braine family…love you all…
James Jr. & Ann King & family says
Deepest sympathy and condolences to the family. Jim’s father, James D King Sr., was such good friends with and had such deep respect for Al’s father, Carl, and the whole family. I know you all must be so proud to be of Al’s lineage. He was a great man.
April says
Condolences to you all, sure going to miss him at poker games!
Peggy says
Alfred was a wonderful man. We learned to love and respect his thoughts and wishes. I am not Indian but over the last 24 years I have learned respect for the People. My prayers and wishes go out to this amazing family. We here at the Northern Cheyyenne Service Unit give respect for the people and families we serve. I want to give great respect to this family for the loving care they gave our patient. My tears run down my face as I think of the love they gave. God be with you in all you do. Alfred is in The great next camp. He is still helping and loving which is what he did his entire life. I want you to know the respect I have for you. Thanks for the opportunity to be part of your family if only for a moment bin time.
Colleen and Doug Hopkins says
Prayers and thoughts to Ruby and family at this time. Al was such a kind and nice man.
Andrita Harris says
Our Deepest Sympathy and Condolences; sending you our Prayers to: Ruby, Roxanne, Carrie, Dean, Terry and Braine Family, and extended RIP. AL
Sorry for your loss.
It is really hard when you loss a DAD.
Peace Be With You.
Andrita, Dorothy, Billy, Dylan and Tegan Harris
Steve & Lucy Jessen says
Ruby:
Deepest sympathy. Praying for comfort during this time.
Deb McClaren says
I’m so sorry about Al. He is at peace now, my thoughts and prayers are with you all.
Darline Zimmer Huckins says
Condolences to Ruby and family. Alfred will be missed by so many, family far and near!
James and Rita Alderman says
We are so sorry for this grave loss to the family, community, and all of us that have been fortunate to have heard some of his stories and witnessed Alfred’s impeccable work ethics. Dear Ruby you two have been an inspiration to anyone who would look at the love and devotion you have had for each other. With all the Love and Prayers we can extend at this difficult time, and thank you both for your wonderful hospitality
Bill & Denice Hedges says
Ruby and family….
We were quite shocked to hear of Al passing on. May God wrap his arms around each and every one of you to lead you through the difficult days ahead. Our love and prayers go out to all of you.
Joi Garza says
Ruby and Family;
May God bless and comfort you all during this difficult time. Please know you are in our thoughts and prayers.
With love …. Joi Garza & Jodi Antone
Diane White and Family says
Dear Ruby, Carrie, and family we send our deepest condolences and your family wil be in our prayers. Asking Maheo to bless your family with peace and acceptance. Journey well Alfred and may u RIP.
Leeta & Wayne says
Carrie and family – our sincere condolences during this time of deep and sorrowful loss of your family patriarch Al. During this difficult time please know you are all in our prayers and thoughts. May you be held ever so gently in Maheo’s loving arms until your pain subsides. Rest In Peace Al – blessings for a safe journey.
Roberta Morgan Rickman says
Ruby, so sorry. I think of you often. Hugs.
Vance Trube says
Ruby, I am sorry to read about Sonny’s passing. May the good lord take a liken to ya!!
Ethel Blindwoman says
Condolences to the Family. Ruby, Carrie, Roxie, Terry and Dean, my deepest sympathies to hear of Al’s passing. I know he will be missed dearly. Ruby, I will be thinking of you and keeping you in my prayers.