Jessica Burshia “Groutchica”, age 33, of Poplar, MT passed away Saturday, March 1, 2014.
Jessica, the daughter of Beverly Running Bear and Robert Burshia, Sr., was born on February 24, 1981. She was given the name Blue Eyes by her cousins. She attended school in Poplar, Brockton, and Flandreau, SD. She also lived in Missoula and Billings. Jessica loved babysitting and worked for the child care program for the Fort Peck Tribes. She was so happy when her grandbaby was born. Jessica loved playing Yahtzee and cleaning.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Beverly Running Bear and Robert Burshia, Sr.
Jessica is survived by her daughter, Carol Burshia of Poplar; stepdaughter, Kristian Erickson of Billings; sons, Daniel Erickson of Billings and Joseph Erickson Jr. of Poplar, and Jaycee Burshia of Wolf Point; grandkids, Aubrey Martell, KC Baker Jr., and Nicky Youngman all of Poplar; grandma, Evadna Running Bear of Poplar; aunts, Lois Longtree, Donna Crowe Youngman, Dolly Crowe and family, Delores Crowe and family, Connie (Eddy) Smith, Sr. and family; Margaret Hapa, Laverne Loves Him, Estelle Loves Him, Pauline Granbois, Opal Youngman, Tara Longtree, Julia Young, and Ruth Haas Luann (Earl) Crowe Fairbanks, Laura and Cooper; Lorna Beth, Susan, and Christian as well as Sara Fairbanks, uncles, Clarence Booger Longtree, Edgar Jones, Manuel (Debbie) Running Bear, Narvin Louis, Delberta Rae, and Stacy Anna Running Bear all of Poplar, and Larry Burshia; nephews, Bobby, Denver, Robert Jr., Russell, and Jacob Longee, and Quinzy Burshia; nieces, Franny Youngman, Frankie, and Renae Demarrias; cousins, Stan, Matthew, and Caroline Longtree, Eugene and Stacy Crowe, Lindy Redwood, Mato, Mathias Blackhoop, Lamont Running Bear, Roger (Dani) Running Bear, Ladonna (Maynard) Youngman, Levi Crowe, Staci Crowe, Alice Taylor Anderson, and Neomi Hause Castilla and cousins Kenton Haase and Loren Hartinger of Missoula. She is survived by her best friend Butterfly Demarrais and “Dad” Ed Chaser.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Friday, March 7 at the Activity Center in Poplar. A funeral service will be held 11 a.m. Saturday, March 8 at the Our Lady of Lourdes Catholic Church in Poplar. Interment will follow at the Chelsea Cemetery west of Poplar. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements.