Joy “Smiley” Wolfblack, age 57, of Utah was called to dance at a pow-wow on the Other Side on August 1, 2015 in Salt Lake City, Utah. Joy was born on October 10, 1957 in Crow Agency, Montana, the second of twin girls to Oran and Josephine Wolfblack. She was raised on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation and attended St. Labre Catholic School. She left the reservation to make her home in Salt Lake City, Utah in the early 1980’s where she raised her children. She frequently traveled back to Montana for visits.
Smiley was the matriarch of her family, always making sure her family was well taken care of. Often times she always had extra mouths to feed, taking in her nieces, nephews or friends giving them a place to lay their heads and somewhere to call home.
In her younger years she was a fierce fancy shawl dancer and loved to compete. She became well known throughout pow wow country for her unusual, innovative and graceful style of dance. Her last competitive dance was in Fort Yates, North Dakota in 1977 where she placed first in her category. Although she put her moccasins aside she loved to go to pow-wows and often made the 10 hour trip back to Montana nearly every year for the Ashland Labor Day Pow-wow, an event she looked forward to so she could get “caught up” with all the happenings on the rez, and to visit with friends and family.
Joy leaves behind a large family that will miss her dearly. Her daughters: Charlie Jo Wolfblack and Tia Yellowfox of Salt Lake City; her sons Marvin Knowshisgun also of Salt Lake and Tom (Pilar) Wolfblack of California; sisters Cecelia (Tomas) Varela of Phoenix, Arizona, Leeta (Wayne) Fletcher of Salt Lake City, Utah and Carrie Braine of Lame Deer, Montana; Brothers Maynard Wolfblack and Clifton Sooktis also of Lame Deer, Buster (Belle) Wolfblack of Miles City, Montana, Leonard (Violet) Wolfblack of Hardin, Montana and Royal (Kim) Wolfblack of Kearns, Utah; Grandchildren, Kyle Dean of Ashland, Fernando, Reyna, Pona, Gabba, Adrienne, Jakob and Rebecca of Utah. Smiley loved her grandchildren dearly and would do anything for them. She had unconditional love for all of her children, brothers, sisters, nieces and nephews.
Preceding Smiley in death are her daughters: Alighta Dawn and Mylina Rae Wolfblack; Grand-daughter Graciella Mungia; parents Oran and Josephine Wolfblack; sisters Rena “Polly” White, Joann Wolfblack, Arlene Ortiz, and her twin Joyce “Rooney” Wolfblack; brothers Duane Wolfblack and
Wayne and Doug Two Shields.
The family wishes to express their gratitude to Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home in Forsyth, Bishop Kruger and the LDS Church, Northern Cheyenne Tribe, St. Labre Youth and Family Services, Everything Beautiful Thrift Store, Kit Fox Society, Fr. Paschal Siler, Pam Kania, Ernie & Mary Jane Robinson, Erica Hayes, Geraldine Fisher and Family, Johanna Redneck, PhiLippe FranQuelin, Anna Crow, Tina Littleoldman and all others for donations, food, or services rendered during our time of sorrow.
Traditional wake services will be on Tuesday, August 11, 2015 at 7:00 PM at the St. Labre Social Room, funeral services on Wednesday, August 12, 2015 at 11:00 AM. Smiley will be laid to rest at the St. Labre Cemetery. Following the burial a meal will be served at the Social Room.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 pm
Tuesday August 11, 2015
St. Labre Catholic Mission
1000 Tongue River Rd.
Ashland, MT 59003
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Wednesday August 12, 2015
St. Labre Catholic Mission
1000 Tongue River Rd.
Ashland, MT 59003
Graveside Service
12 noon
Wednesday August 12, 2015
St Labre Cemetery
1000 Tongue River Rd.
Ashland, MT 59003
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 pm
Tuesday August 11, 2015
St. Labre Catholic Mission
1000 Tongue River Rd.
Ashland, MT 59003
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Wednesday August 12, 2015
St. Labre Catholic Mission
1000 Tongue River Rd.
Ashland, MT 59003
Graveside Service
12 noon
Wednesday August 12, 2015
St Labre Cemetery
1000 Tongue River Rd.
Ashland, MT 59003
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Pam Kania says
I was saddened to hear of Smiley’s dead. May she be at peace. She is now happily with her her many relatives tha are there to meet her! Please accept our condolences for all the relatives here.
Sincerely, Pam & Ken
Charlie says
Miss you everyday mom
Charlie Jo Wolfblack says
I love you so much mom!! Your grandson Anthony barely made contact with us. He would be so proud of him, he looks just like his dad! Seems like he’s a really good kid mom. I told him he missed out on a lot by not getting an opportunity to meet you. He would love him and be very proud he seems to have a good head on his shoulders. He speaks very well, sounds like he’s been very well educated, also is very curious about us.Love you mom.
Worthy says
Hey Grandma. I never got a chance to meet you. You seemed like you were very beautiful and had a happy life. I’ll look for a path in this part of the family and take it. I can’t imagine how much you wanted to meet me and I’m sorry I never got to meet you. I’ll do the best I can.