Bertha Haksígaxų́nųga (Greengrass) Blackdeer (1916 - 2009)

Born 4 Aug 1916 in Komensky, Jackson, Wisconsin, United States

Ancestors

Wife of Irvin Blackdeer Sr. — married [date unknown] in Black River Falls, Jackson, Wisconsin, United States

Died 6 Aug 2009 at age 93 in Black River Falls, Jackson, Wisconsin, United States

Bertha was Ho-Chunk.

Biography

Birth

Bertha was born 4 August 1916 in Komensky, Wisconsin. She is the daughter of Edwin Greengrass and Jennie Blackhawk.

Name

In the 1919 census, her name is given as HaukSeGoHoNoGa, which is for Haksígaxų́nųga, "Fifth Born Daughter." She was a member of the Thunderbird Clan and in accord with the proper practice, married a member of the opposite moiety who belonged to the Deer Clan.

Life

"Bertha Greengrass Blackdeer, of Black River Falls, WI was 93 years of age when she passed into the Spirit World, at Black River Memorial Hospital under care of Black River Memorial Hospice. In addition to her husband, Irvin Blackdeer, Sr., Bertha was preceded in death by two sons, Irvin Blackdeer Jr. and Oliver R. Blackdeer; an infant daughter; a grand-daughter, Renee Blackdeer; a brother, Edwin Greengrass; and two sisters, Ruth Cloud and Rose Greengrass.

Bertha Greengrass was born in the Town of Komensky, Jackson County, to Edward and Jenny (Blackhawk) Greengrass. She was raised in the Black River Falls area; in addition, she lived in Wisconsin Dells, Hayward and Oneida. She married Irvin Blackdeer Sr. in Black River Falls; he preceded her into the Spirit World.

She wove and sold Indian baskets and made beaded Ho-Chunk hairpieces. Bertha was a member of the Wisconsin Folk Arts Board and served as a master instructor. She was a member of the Native American Church of North America. Bertha enjoyed bingo, canning grapes, making baskets, bead work, Ho-Chunk crafts, watching soap operas on television, baking and Pow-Wow music." (Banner Journal)

Marriage

Bertha married Irvin Blackdeer Sr. at Black River Falls, Jackson County, Wisconsin. She divorced him on 21 December 1982. (Wisc. Div. Rec.)

Residence

17 Nov 1941 — Irv and Bertha resided at 2024 South 20th St., La Cross, Wisconsin. (Draft Card)

Burial

"Native American services were held Sunday, Aug. 9, 2009, 1 p.m. at Ho-Chunk District One Community Center, Black River Falls." (Banner Journal)

She is buried in Trempealeau Cemetery, Trempealeau, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, USA. (Find a Grave)

Sources

• 1917 Indian census; Roll: M595_168; Page: 29; Line: 10; Agency: Grand Rapids. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1919 Indian census; Roll: M595_168; Page: 26; Line: 6; Agency: Grand Rapids. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1924 Indian census; Roll: M595_168; Page: 26; Line: 6; Agency: Grand Rapids. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• 1934 Indian census; Roll: M595_572; Page: 39; Line: 11; Agency: Tomah Indian School. Indian Census Rolls, 1885-1940; (National Archives Microfilm Publication M595, 692 rolls); Records of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Record Group 75; National Archives, Washington, D.C.
• U.S., World War II Draft Cards of Young Men, 1940-1947 [database on-line]. Lehi, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
• Wisconsin Divorce Index, 1965-1984. Madison, WI, USA: Wisconsin Department of Health and Family Services. #015513, in Jackson County, Wisconsin.
• Banner Journal (Black River Falls, Jackson, Co. WI.) August 12, 2009.
• Find a Grave, database and images (accessed 11 November 2020), memorial page for Bertha Greengrass Blackdeer (4 Aug 1916–6 Aug 2009), Find a Grave Memorial no. 177998302, citing Trempealeau Cemetery, Trempealeau, Trempealeau County, Wisconsin, USA ; Maintained by Lynn Elizabeth (contributor 48687893).