Joshua Burns

Wake: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 at 7:00 p.m. at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lame Deer

Funeral Service: Thursday, March 19, 2009 at 11:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church in Lame Deer

Burial: will follow in the Burns Family Cemetery in Lame Deer

Joshua age 33, died Friday, March 13th, in Helena, Montana. He was pronounced dead at St. Peters hospital around 1:30 am.

Joshua was born on February 21, 1976 in Billings, Montana. He was born to Georgia Burns and William White Cow. He was nine days old when his mother, Georgia remarried Billford Curley, Sr. William White Cow was his Father, but Billford, Sr. was his Daddy. He grew up in Lame Deer, Montana. He also lived in Bozeman and Ashland, Montana. He was the first born son of Georgias. He had four older sisters and loved to tease them. As time went on, he teased all of his brothers and sisters. He loved playing football. He played for St. Labre Indian School. He was picked for the Down Under Bowl. As an all-star player, first team all conference, MVP, defensive player of the year. He traveled to Australia and New Zealand. He attended school at St. Labre and graduated in 1994. He also liked to ride horses. He helped with ranching, logging and tried his hand at many other endeavors. As a young man, he was trained as a professional card dealer and security guard. He also attended college in several Washington Junior Colleges. Joshua was always teasing, making everyone laugh. He always had a smile on his face. He had a big heart and loved everyone, especially his children and family. He had a protective spirit around him and always wanted everyone to be out of harms way.

Some of his special friends were, C.R. Stewart, Dave Fox, Bobby Big Back, Lyle Bull Shows, Paul Ryan and many more. He struggled with the disease of alcoholism most of his adult life, His last words to his mama, were. Mom Im going to treatment, I have to learn the hard way, my way. What a hard lesson, a painful lesson. This may be a lesson to help others to achieve and maintain sobriety. One more time, may be our last.

His partner, Tiffany Bogdan of Woodenville, Washington, survives him. His children, Justin Sioux, Raheem Red Star, Kyle and Tayton Joshua. His siblings, Rhonda Curley, Stacie (Ed) Joiner, Phyllis (Brand) Jackman, Melanie Curley, Jayna (Melbourn) Walker, Billford Curley, Jr., Georgette (Bobby) Ball, Jeremy Nowlen, Casey, Cassie Curley, Melissa Velasuquez and Robert Huss. Special nephews Joseph, Paul, and Nikalis Huss. Special brother in laws, David Powell, Sr. and Dennis Mc Cormick. Uncles Ronnie (Bernadette), Jack (Terri), James (Sue Chen), John Duane JD (Charlene) Burns, Tex, Logan, Kevin, Jodi, and Terry Curley, Melbert Moke Eagle Feathers and LeRoy (Charlotte) Runsabove. Aunties, Erma (Wilmer) Spang, Bonnie (Wesley) Spotted Elk, Audrey (Oliver) Haugen, Tera Curley, Ethelyn Charley, Florene (Kenny) Taylor, June (Seminole), Della Runsabove. His Grandmothers, Edna Seminole and Fern Shoulderblade. His GroVentre Aunties, Bernadette (Alfred) Lodge, Catherine (Roger) Long Knife, Helen Talks Different, Roberta (Robert) Werk, Mary White Cow and Great Aunts and uncle, Barbara Hilstead, Rosie Heedick, Eva Korber, Catherine Schindler, Margaret Lind, Francis (Sissy) Burnette and Great Uncle, Marcus (Betty) Gress.

He is survived by many cousins, also numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his father, William White Cow, maternal grandparents, Dempsey and Annie Burns, paternal grandparents, Josephine and Joseph White Cow and Irene and Joseph Curley Sr. His sister, Melissa Ann Curley, Uncles Robbie Burns, Joseph Curley Jr., Robert Burns Sr., and Clifford White Cow. Aunts Phyllis Lafever, Vinnie Bear Cub, Barbara and Jean White Cow. His cousins Lisa Marie Burns, Ben and Clifford Lodge. The extended family includes the descendents of George and Sally Harris. The White Cow, Talks Different, Lodge, Bear Cub, Werk, Long Knife, Gress, Curley, Haugen, Red Neck, Little Bird, Red Fox, Elk Shoulder and Shoulderblade families.

We would like to apologize for anyone that was not mentioned as Joshua has a large family.