Minnie Inez Hirst

Minnie Inez Hirst, the oldest living member of the Crow Tribe, passed away on January 24, 2026, in Conrad Montana from complications of being 101 years of age. She was born on March 19, 1924, at the family home on Birch Creek.

Minnie and Clarence “Boze” were married on March 25, 1946. In 1947 they moved to Badger Creek near Heart Butte. Boze passed away in 2003 but Minnie, with the aid of family members, remained in the family home until 2017. In 2017 she moved to Soaring Eagle Heritage Living Center near Ashland Mt, and in 2022 returned home and moved into Pondera Medical Center’s Extended Care Facility, where she resided until her passing.

A devoted wife, mother and grandmother Minnie enjoyed fishing, playing pinochle, reading, and knitting sweaters for her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed family get-togethers for holidays, especially when it included grandchildren. With eight children to raise, Minnie was a homemaker but in later life cleaned houses, babysat, and worked at Thompson’s Store in Heart Butte.

Minnie was preceded in death by her parents; William and Ellen (Crawford) Rutherford, her husband Boze, a son Clarence (Bimbo), nine siblings, two brothers and seven sisters. She is survived by her four daughters, Margie Fisher (Reis), Linda, Karen Woldstad (John), Cathy Bird (Steve), a daughter-in-law Donna; three sons, Mike (Carrie), Ronald (Kathy) and William “Charlie” (Cheri). Minnie and Boze were also blessed with 21 grandchildren and 32 great grandchildren.

In recent visits Minnie would often share what it was like growing up surrounded by a loving family and the memories of her and her sisters dancing during the cold winter evenings while their Papa would play the fiddle. She also recalled joys of attending weekend dances that were commonly held in the homes of nearby neighbors along Birch Creek. Sadly, at most of these visit she would conclude with, “but no one seems to dance anymore”.

To her children she will always be remembered lovingly as just “Mom.” In spite of the early hardships of caring for a large family, Mom and Dad always seemed to find a way to make ends meet. Memories are made up of the simple things in life, family picnics, fishing, horseback riding, sledding on bright cold winter days, summer swimming in Badger Creek, a Christmas tree that somehow always seem to have presents under it. All these years later, the list seems endless. Yes, Mom will be missed, but there is joy and comfort in knowing she is in a better place, and the memories will live on.

‍Visitation will be Thursday January 29, 2026, from 3 to 6 p.m., at Asper Funeral Home 302 South Main Street, Conrad, Montana with Rosary to follow at 6 p.m.

Funeral service will be held 10 a.m., Friday, January 30, 2026, at St Michael’s Catholic Church 106 S. Maryland, Conrad Mt. Burial will follow in 1:30p.m. at Lakeview Cemetery in Valier.

‍The family would like to extend a special thank you to the staff at Pondera Medical Center’s Extended Care Facility; Penny Douglas and Father Nicetas from St Michael’s Catholic Church, Conrad, Montana for the care and comfort provided over these past few years.