In the mid-afternoon on Friday, April 22, 2022, Ma’heo’o and all of our relatives came to take Matthew home. He was surrounded by his siblings, relatives, and close friends during the last days of his courageous battle with cancer. Matthew passed away a week after Good Friday between 1 and 4 pm, just as Jesus did. This is a significant reminder of Matthew’s love and faith in his Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
Matthew was born February 5, 1956, to Raymond Harris Sr. and Bertha Foote Harris. He was the 11th child born of this union. He attended St. Labre Indian Catholic School in Ashland, MT. As a young boy, he was an Altar Boy and helped with church services. He received his GED and later attended welding training through the Indian Action Program, now known as Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer, MT. Matthew became a well-known welder and worked for the Colstrip mines, NC Housing Authority, and was an independent house painter in the community. He worked seasonal construction and helped build the bridge near Hardin on I90. He was also a wood vender for the tribe. Matthew was known for his many gifts and talents and helped many people throughout his life. In his later years, he worked for Arnie Bends at his family ranch. He took Arnie as a brother.
He loved hunting, fishing, driving around the back roads, and riding horses, especially the family horse “Pinto Mare” an all-time favorite family horse. Matthew grew up on Muddy Creek and spent his entire life cherishing his family traditions and strong family ties.
Matthew was preceded in death by his parents Raymond Harris Sr. and Bertha Foote Harris. His sisters Eleanor Anderson of Shell, WY, Laura Sioux, Celesta Spang of Lame Deer, brothers Raymond Harris Jr., of Lame Deer, and Michael Lee Harris of Muddy Creek.
Matthew is survived by his four children: Stormy Burns of Washington State, Shantoya Waloke Bruguier of Cherry Creek, S.D., Heather Harris of Portland, OR, and Cody Harris of Riverton, WY. Matthew has 11 grandchildren.
He is also survived by his siblings: Priscilla Robinson of Muddy Creek, Patricia (Richard-deceased) Rowland of Muddy Creek, Clinton (Kathy Wilson) of Muddy Creek, Roselind Maria (Earl-deceased) Charette of Lame Deer, Rosemond Ann (Charlie) Messer of Birney, Alberta Harris Twenty Stands of Ashland, and Denise Dee (Hymn) Alexander of Muddy Creek. Other extended family are Adrian Foote Sr. of Muddy Creek, William Rowland, Richard Foote of Lame Deer, Michael Yellow Plume of Riverton, WY, and Arnie Bends of Kirby. Matthew also had several stepchildren: Jonas Red Star and Dusty Old Elk, Rusty Little Bird, Michael Charlie Little Bird, Jackie Little Bird Estell, and Mildred Little Bird Estell. Matthew also had a special friend, Terrie Seminole.
Matthew is a 7th generation descendent of Chief Little Wolf and Buffalo Appearing Woman on his father’s side and the Holy Man, “White Bull” and Striking Fast (Fort Peck Sioux) on his mother’s side. Other relatives include Robinson, Anderson, Rowland, Sioux, Harris, Spang, Charette, Messer, Alexander, Ewing, Elliot, Mason, Soldier Wolf, Walkslast, the Fishers from Birney, Littlewolf, Two Two, Foote, Speelman, Gardner, and Shoulderblade. We apologize to anyone we may have missed.
A special thank you goes out to Deacon Joe, Bucky Glenmore, Rev. Dennis Bauer, Tweety Littlebird and his group for their blessings, prayers, and the traditional ceremonial songs.
We want to express our special gratitude to Terrie Seminole, Amber Means (hospice home health care nurse), other IHS staff and the Billings Frontier Cancer Center for caring for our brother during his long illness.
Service Schedule
Visitation
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday April 25, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT
Service Schedule
Visitation
2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Monday April 25, 2022
Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home
Forsyth, MT
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Dean says
Matthew
Sure going to miss you. All the crazy good times with you an auntie. God bless his family and friends at this time.
Teri Brien Noland says
I’m so sad to see this. I have very fond memories of growing up with you and you’re sisters.. You were always fun to be around. This world has lost a good man. Rest in Peace my cousin. Sending prayers for the family. ❤🙏❤
Veronica kopp says
My friend Matthew. May you Rest In Peace and save a place for all of your family and friends. I am sure you are busy building and painting already. We will remember you and you will be missed. Watch over us. Your friend Veronica!
Jacquelynn Estell says
MATHEW, I sure will miss you. So will my boys, you were grandpa MATHEW after all. We all had some fun days and some super hilarious moments. You and my mom Serena were so goofy together. Always there when we needed you guys. Especially when my boys were younger and we struggled with no hesitation you both would pull through day or night. We will carry you with us. Sucks we have no peaceful escape no more now that you both are gone. Your place was the best to sit an watch the sky an see the stars. I remember living there with you guys for awhile with no lights n stuff lol we would all chill n have about a good hr for dinner with the generator, lamps tv books eating our food. I used to hate when it was time to shut it off an be in silence n darkness while u guys would go to bed early. Lol prayers for his family n his friends. Prayers for you MATHEW on your journey and one day I hope to see you again. Busy busy working away. No rest for the wicked always was working on something. Ima miss that. RiP ♡♡
Patricia Houseman says
Harris family, so sorry for your loss of Mathew. You are all in my prayers
Shirl Robinson says
So sorry to hear. My late husband-Rick Robinson’s ole buddy when they was growing up. Sending prayers for the family and relatives.
Tracee L RAYMOND says
Heather, I’m so very sorry for your loss and your family’s loss. Please know that you all are in my thoughts and prayers.
Ramona Charette Klein says
We are sending our condolences to the Harris family. We will keep you in our thoughts as you grieve the passing of your loved one.
Deep Sympathy ,
Chuck and Ramona ( Charette) Klein
Michael Speelman says
Sure going to miss the conversations with Matthew. He was always good for a story or two. We worked on several Thinning projects next to each other. Matthew wS not afraid of hard work. RIP. Brother.
Robin Burns says
Rest in peace Matthew remembering our teenage years at St Labre & muddy creek. Matthew’s oldest daughter is Stormey LeeAnn Harris Robinson. We were still married when Stormey was born!
Geri Small says
Sending my Condolences to the Harris Family. Prayers to you all🙏
George and Priscilla Birtic says
We are so sorry to hear of the passing of Mathew.
We are deeply saddened by the loss of another member of the Harris family. May his memories be eternal.
Anna Powell says
Oh gosh you made me cry because I been wanting to come home and you always make me happy 😁 always had the BIGGEST smile you now with all our Cheyenne People and I m just crying 😭 you always treated me and my sister Mary Ann Powell like we were family and I will always love and cherish all the funny and craziness happy times. I love you brother and I will see you again! Meheyo guide you home in prayers!!
Duane Allred says
I always liked Matthew and enjoyed talking with him. Rest In Peace Matthew your journey here is over!
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
TO THE FAMILY OF MATTHEW KIETH HARRIS, THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF A BELOVED LOVE ONE.
Tex Claymore says
My deepest Condolences to the family, death is always hard to comprehend. Just know that he is at peace and his struggle is over and he sits at the right hand of the Lord in paradise forever.
Roger and Amnada Dillard says
Sending our Condolences to Matthew’s family. He is in a better place now and no more pain. RIP cousin.
Winona Wallowing says
Matthew, thank you for all that you did for us when we lost my dad. Going to miss seeing you around. Sending prayers to your family.
Monty and Brenda Rowland says
RIP Matthew Harris 😢 🙏. Monty and I were at a funeral in California. We wish we were there. ❤ sending prayers of love and comfort to all of your family.
Wayne Fletcher says
I’m so sorry to hear of Matthew’s passing. I have many great memories of Matthew when we were teenagers. We used to have so much fun. He was a hard worker and just a helluva good guy. RIP Matthew.
Andrita Harris says
So sorry Uncle Matthew, I have enjoyed our talks about Grandpa Ray and my dad Lee. good stories. past year I would stop at the house just to say high and check in see how he was doing. visiting. Dropped of food other items for him. Going to miss talking with you. Sorry I could not be at the services I was in the hospital with my lungs and breathing again.
Say hi to everyone, I thought I might see you Sunday night , they way it was looking for me.
Deepest sympathy and condolences to Heather, Cody, Stormy and Shantoya All the HARRIS FAMILY rest of the family.
remember our feeding days, haying, fencing trips to town etc
Deana Peters says
Matthew was so kind and good to my mom and dad .George and Phyllis Peters. They took him as there son. My thoughts and prayers to his family. He will be remembered warmly he was our brother.
IUOE Local 400, Board, Members and Staff says
May it comfort you to know how many caring thoughts are with the family at this sad time
Mildred estell says
Matthew missing you lots! Loved your humor and stories and your work ethic and creativity!!! A very great decorator aye! I loved how you always were so real and simple! Loved being able to get very close to you! Man I miss you and my mom a lot wish I could go out to the house and just enjoy the deck! Miss you! Was so cool to see a meteor shower ☄️ was super cool to share that with you and my mom! Rip Matthew! Glad yall are back together being goofy up in heaven