Ermine Belgarde

We are sad to announce the passing of our dad, Ermine Belgarde Sr., on Thursday, June 29, 2023, at the age of 89 in Cut Bank.

Ermine was born on October 2, 1933, to Gaston (Gus) Belgarde and Katie Nequette-Belgarde in Browning. He spent his childhood in Browning except for the few years when his father, Gus,

moved his family to Fort Peck to complete work on Fort Peck Dam. After attending Browning High School, Ermine enlisted in the army and was stationed in Japan for most

of the three years of his military commitment. During his time in the army, Ermine trained to be a boxer and enjoyed sharing exciting stories about his many fights. Anyone who knows him well has no doubt

either heard one of his stories or experienced him shadow boxing, especially during the fights he watched on TV.

After his time in the military was completed, Ermine followed his brothers to Omak, Washington where he worked in a lumber yard. It was in Omak that Ermine met Sharon Davis at a dance at the Riverside

Grange Hall. Ermine and Sharon married in 1961, moved to Seattle, Washington and had four children; Kati, Ermine Jr., Erik, and Glynis by the time they decided their family was complete.

Ermine worked at the Northwestern Glass Co. and the University of Washington Hospital before moving his family back to Browning in the summer of 1973. He worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in

various positions as a heavy equipment operator, a plant management maintenance operator, and a maintenance supervisor for the Blackfeet Boarding Dormitory.

Ermine married Mary Jane Bjoin in 1986 and moved to Cut Bank. Mary Jane and Ermine blended their families together with the inclusion of her three adult children, Kurt, Kamie, and Kerrie.

Ermine spent the remainder of his life in Cut Bank where he enjoyed bowling, riding his bike, and taking walks. Ermine was very proud of his military service, and he belonged to the American Legion and was a

member of the VFW. After retirement Ermine and Mary Jane became “snowbirds” and made many fun memories in Arizona and California with family and friends.

Ermine was preceded in death by Sharon Belgarde, Mary Jane Belgarde; sons, Ermine Belgarde Jr. and Erik Belgarde; brothers, Louie Belgarde, Bill (Buster) Belgarde, and Lenny Belgarde; and parents, Gaston

and Katie Belgarde. He is survived by daughters, Kati Belgarde and Glynis (George) Flammond; step children, Kurt (Allison) Bjoin, Kamie Bjoin, and Kerrie (Joel) Marking; grandchildren, Tiffany Bremner, Amanda Bremner, Zach Bremner, Sharon Bremner, Joey Vaile, Jayna Vaile, Tyrell Belgarde, Janette Renk, Eric Keller, Gus Belgarde, Gabriella Belgarde, Analiese Belgarde, Sierra Flammond, Dane Flammond, Morgan Flammond, Noah Bjoin, Maxx Bjoin, Brittney, Gilbert, Travis Bourne, Hannah Vescovi, and Reid Marking; and many great grandchildren.

Visitation will be held at Whitted Funeral Chapel Cut Bank on Wednesday, July 5th from 2:00 to 8:00 PM, a vigil/rosary service will be at 6:00pm. Funeral mass will be held in Browning on Thursday, July 6th at the Little Flower Parish at 2:00 PM with a graveside service following at the East Glacier Park Cemetery.