Maurice Draszt, Jr.

Maurice Draszt, Jr. or "JR" as he liked to be called, passed away peacefully at the Poplar Hospital on April 28, 2026. JR was born September 16, 1957 to Maurice Draszt, Sr. and Mercelline Draszt in Poplar, MT. His Indian Name was Wicana Isnana (Man Stands Alone).

JR had quite the adventurous life. he lived and traveled all over the United States from Provo, UT where he attended BYU, Missouri to Washington and in his final years back to his hometown of Poplar. He loved to travel and would often head out on a whim to wherever he wanted, often back and forth to Washington, California, Mexico and Canada. Throughout the years, he worked for the City of Poplar, NAES College, YMCA, and as an EMT. While he lived in Washington, he worked for the Tulalip Casino, Boeing and also cooked in concession stands around the Tulalip area. He was a bartender at Depot, Log Cabin, Stockmans and Hey Johns. He also worked for Fort Peck Tribes in many departments with the last being the mailroom clerk, a position he very much looked forward to returning to when he was healthy again.

JR was into many hobbies, but one that sticks out the most is his baking. Everyone loved his cream puffs, cinnamon rolls, pies, and cookies. Every gathering he came to, he made sure to bring some type of baked goods. He could write calligraphy and shorthand, do quill work and beadwork. He enjoyed visiting and could be found some evenings hanging out with his friends at the Buckhorn or at his sister, Maureen's house. He loved his home as well, along with his many animals. He always made sure to bring home extra snacks and treats for his dogs Quincy, Booger and Scrappy.

JR is survived by his sisters, Maureen (Brad) Gray Hawk, Marie "Tiny" Draszt, Mavis (Leslie) Draszt, Carmen Cantrell, Jolene Gray Hawk, Carla Lovan, and Sugar Jones; brothers Jack Dupree, Patrick Ricker; Uncle Arlie Diserly; Aunt Doris Spotted Bird; Nieces Elisha (Matt Gordon) Gray hawk, Tracey Gray Hawk; Nephews Bradley Gray Hawk, Jr. and Jared Gray Hawk, Cari Wilson, LaMoiya Garfield, Victoria Four Star, Olivia Four Star, Leilani Reddog, and Angeline Cheek; Grandchildren, Charlotte Mason, Gideon and Tobias Gordon, Weston, Easton and Sundown Boxer; cousins include Rosa Boyd, Sharon Kary, Justine Two Lodge, Alvina Red Tomahawk, Nancy Burshia, Doreen Red Eagle and Eleonore Good Bird; adopted sisters Leslie Ricker, Charlene Drum, and Juanita (Doug) Youngman; adopted brothers Kevin Eder, James (Joyce) Watts, Benjamin (Julia) Gray hawk and Fernando Trujillo; his many cousins, nieces and nephews include Johnny Harrington, Annie Cantrell, Lucy White eyes, Janet Mudgett, Claudia Four Star, Richard, Nathan and James Chase, Les White Hawk, Jobeth Johnston, Ramona and Lloyd Iceman, Joy White hawk, Andi Gray, Terry Gray, Gordon Gray, Gwen Gray and Carol Gray. Extended family includes Walking Eagle's, Spotted Bird's, Stormy's, Longee's, Diserly's, Gray Hawk's and the Draszt Family of Washington.

He is preceded in death by his parents Maurice and Mercelline Draszt, brother Aaron Wayne Anderson, Uncle Clarence "Windy" Walker, Aunts Zelma Nicholi, Catherine Spotted Bird, Anna Coulter, Odessa Four Star, Nieces Windy Marie Gray Hawk and Erin Marie Draszt and his beloved dog, Bear.

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