

Betty Noreen Baker
“Sweet Grass Woman”
October 4, 1960 – February 14, 2021
Betty Noreen Baker “Sweet Grass Woman” was born on a cool autumn day, October 4, 1960, in Fort Belknap, MT to the loving late Mr. and Mrs. Bill Baker. Betty was a member of the Three Clan/Flint Knife Clan and an enrolled member of the Three Affiliated Tribes. She was one-half TAT and one-half Chippewa Cree. Betty spent her early childhood in Rocky Boy, MT, Havre, MT, and Great Falls, MT. She moved to Fort Berthold in North Dakota, with her family, in 1970. She earned her high school education in New Town and attended college at United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND. After attending college, Betty returned to New Town where she raised her four children.
Betty enjoyed traveling to powwows throughout her childhood and adult life. Betty had a kindred spirit, and you could find her visiting and laughing with just about anyone with her outgoing personality. She referred to her good friends as her “Pars”. In her younger years she danced jingle and short fringe buckskin and travelled the U.S. and Canada with her parents. She created friendships wherever she went, and kept in touch with, until her passing. More recently she enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren dance. She was quite proud of their dancing accomplishments; she started traveling again just to watch them excel. Though she didn’t say it enough Betty adored her favorite dancers.
As a working mother, Betty worked for the tribe most of her adult life. She started with the Domestic Violence Program as an Advocate for the abused. Her most favorite job was working with young children for the TAT Head Start for more than a decade as a cook. Betty connected well with the Head Start attendees and the kids seemed to gravitate towards her as they enjoyed her presence and she enjoyed theirs.
In her downtime she was a news fanatic, she watched it habitually. She had a liking for several TV shows that she spent her free time watching including: 90 Day Fiancé and Ghost Adventures, or any “ghost” themed show. Her favorite jams were 70s music, classic rock, CCR, Bob Marley, and Bruno Mars. She had a love for powwow music and round dance and listened to it daily.
Betty brought four children into this world: Dana, Shylo, Billy, and Viola. As a mother, she did the best she could to raise them. She loved her children tremendously and was proud of them as she would talk about them to other people. She was their biggest fan at sporting events and attended as many games as possible. Their accomplishments made her feel so proud. As a grandmother she was filled with joy to be around her grandbabies. As an auntie-mom, she was someone her nieces and nephews could depend on or an ear to confide in.
Even on her toughest days she still radiated comfort, love, and strength. On her brighter days, she was loving, kindhearted, compassionate, and understanding. Most notably she had a witty humor and quick comebacks that would make you laugh for hours. Her smile was infectious, and her laugh was contagious; it is something we all will never forget. With broken hearts she will be loved, missed, and appreciated as Mother, Grandma, Sister, Auntie, and Friend.
Betty is survived by her children, Dana (Todd) Price, Shylo (Malvina) Baker, Billy Baker, Viola Wise Spirit; brothers, Wade (Kim) Baker, Leonard “Gingwan” Baker, Sidrick “Mister” (Alanna) Baker, and Mike Shortbull; sisters, Sharlene Baker and Bonnie Baker; grandchildren, Rayessa (Sheldon) Standish, Marissa, Nigel, Wyatt, Nehemiah, Leo, Keyni, Camdyn; great-grandchildren, Krue, Astoria, and Hexley; and many nieces and nephews.
Betty Noreen Baker “Sweet Grass Woman” departed this life February 14, 2021. She was lovingly greeted by her folks: William “Bill” Baker and Mary Jane (Watson) Baker; brother, Shawn “Asnie” Baker; infant sister; grandson, Louis Jr.; and many close relatives and Pars.
Family and Friends Gathering: Wednesday, February 17, 2021 from 4-7 p.m. at Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall
Funeral: Thursday, February 18, 2021 at 11 a.m. at New Town Civic Center, New Town
Burial: Thursday in St. Anthony Catholic Cemetery, Mandaree at 2:15
(Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall www.langhansfuneralhome.com)