Aletha Chopper

Our loving mom, sister, grandma, and auntie Aletha “Joyce” Chopper, also known as “Cissy,” went to her heavenly home at the age of 69 on September 10, 2025, after a long battle with cancer. Cissy was born April 21, 1956, to Frank and Lucille Chopper in Poplar, MT. She graduated from Brockton High School in 1975 and would continue her education in the Culinary Arts at the United Tribes Technical College. In December 1977, she was blessed with a beautiful son, Jeremy Chopper. She would then marry Charlie Crazy Bull, and together they had a daughter, Brandi Crazy Bull. Following this marriage, she had Shalane and Ann Chopper.

Upon returning from United Tribes, she got a job cooking for the Brockton Schools, she then went to work for Fort Peck Department of Corrections as Head Cook, retiring 27 years later in 2024.

Cissy found joy in cooking for everyone, spending time with her grandchildren, watching nieces and nephews play basketball for Brockton and Culbertson. She enjoyed taking the family to Williston to swim, spend the night, and eat at various restaurants. When she wasn’t cooking, she would be playing games on her tablet or watching her favorite TV shows, Grey’s Anatomy. Cissy’s pride and joy were her children and grandchildren; she always had an open door and loving heart for everyone. She was a devoted Christian woman and loved attending camp meetings and revivals.

Cissy is survived by her daughters, Shalane and Ann Chopper, adopted daughters Jena Jones,Chenell and Betty Cantrell; Brother Vernon (Donna) Chopper, sisters Priscilla Carpenter, Violet Buck Elk, and Alverta Chopper; Cousins Irene Evenson and Dennis, Cordell, Cornell, and Dale Four Bear, and Rena Williams; Nephews Frank (Teal) Chopper, Bear Chopper, Delano Longtree, Wendell (Donette) Martell, Daryl Buck Elk, Harvey Good Left; Nieces Vernice (Robert) Chopper, June Good Left, Jolene (Cowboy) Jones, Nicky (Maurice) Bighorn, Tiffany Chopper, Mary Follette, Teresa Buck Elk, Yvette Olson, Janel (Darin) Little Light, Tamara, Nannette and Jerimiah Davis, Natalie Red Eagle; Grandchildren Kale, Kyle, Savannah and Noah Dumphy, Jeremy and Eli Chopper, Azariah Valenzuela, A’tarrah and Israel Brown, Kendall and Charmayne Necklace, Sincere, Aiden, George, William and Malachai Chopper, Josh Failing, Howard and Billy Black Dog, Kayla and Katie Beauchman, Danielle, Farrah, Cody, Abby, Roberta, and Mary, Keith Wright Jr., Johnna Abrahamson, Sami Jo, Ashton and Austin Cloud, Justin Gray Hawk Jr., Isaiah, Mo and Jessica Bighorn, Dominique Buckles, Skylar, and Diamond Colby, Benjamin, LaVallie and Payton Chopper, Xander and Xavier Porras, Brittany and Faith Buck Elk, Nick, Tristan, and William Burshia Jr., Lana, Erin, and Verle Follette Jr., Lacey (Mario) Mcrae, Wayne Jr., JoAnna,Jared, Marissa Sayetsitty, Chelsea Bingham, Jewel Olson,and Jade Waters, Jennifer Gong, Lana and Blake Follette. She had lots of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren…too many to mention; she loved them all.

She is preceded in death by her parents, son Jeremy Chopper, daughter Brandi Crazy Bull, brothers Abraham and Frank D. Chopper, and Roy Longtree; nephews Rudy Martell, nieces Aletha and Wendy Chopper, Thalia Buck Elk; grandchildren Paris Chopper, Ryan Burshia, Adam Black Dog, Kennan Beauchman and Sierra Follette.

Extended family White Eagle, White Bear, Ireland, Black Dog, Perry, Two Shield, Yankton, Shaws, Bets His Medicine, Walking Eagle and Rattling Thunder families.

Cissy comes from a huge family we apologize if we forgot to mention you. She will be dearly missed by all who knew and loved her.

A wake will be held on Friday, September 19th at 7:00 p.m. at the James Black Dog Center. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, September 20th at 1:00 p.m. at the James Black Dog Center. Cremation will follow.

Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the guestbook below.