It is with great sadness that we, the family of NORBERT (PONOKAI PIIKSKA SIN) BRUISED HEAD announce his passing on December 9, 2010 at the Chinook Regional Hospital at the age of 66 years after a lengthy illness.
Norbert is survived by his loving wife of 38 years Vera, children Tammy Oka, Timmy (Erin) Oka, Jason (Nicolle) Oka, Trevor Oka, Sonny (Jolene) Bruised Head, Ian (Samantha) Bruised Head and Basil (Heather) Devine, his cherished grandchildren: Raven, Kristy, Niico, Abreu, Mario, Daniel, Riel, Sunny Dawn, Clyde Jr., Elizabeth, Tennessee, Leslie, Kariya, Kailey?-Dawn, Kristy, Leon, Morgan, Brad, Nai and Megan, brothers Peter Bruised Head, Joe and Lorraine Bruised Head, Regis and Carolla Bruised Head, sisters Isabelle Lankford and Clara Healy, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Glen (Joy) Oka; Rita Eagle Child, Donna (Gordon) Oka, Jackie Red Crow, Delphine (John) Pipestem, Annie (Michael) Blood, Trina (Bruce) Iron Shirt, Charlotte Tallow, aunties Pauline Tallow and Lucy Blood and his cherished nieces and nephews. Norbert had a special bond with his nephews Steve (Diane) Bruised Head, Allan (Tammy) Bruised Head, Johnny (Donna) Bruised Head, Waylon Bruised Head and Marcel Twigg, nieces Blanche Bruised Head, Lenora (Scotty) Many Fingers, and Vivian Little Bear, and his many friends and relatives from Kainai, Siksika, Tsuu T’ina, North and South Pikani and his many First Nation rodeo buddies throughout North America. Norbert was predeceased by his daughter Leslie Dawn Bruised Head, parents Peter and Genevieve Bruised Head, grandparents Mike and Louise Blood, Bruised Head and Yellow Squirrel Woman, brothers Chester Bruised Head and Everett Bruised Head, sister-in-law Margaret Bruised Head, Norbert’s in-law’s Wallace and Josephine Oka and nephews Darryl, Randall and Leon Eagle Child. A Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2800 Mayor Magrath Drive South, Lethbridge on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 3:00 p.m. A Wake Service will be held at the OLD SAIPOYI SCHOOL in Standoff, Alberta on Wednesday, December 15, 2010 from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held at ST. MARY`S IMMACULATE CONCEPTION CHURCH on Thursday, December 16, 2010 at 11:00 a.m. with Reverend Pawel Andrasz O.M.I., officiating.
Interment will be held at the Bruised Head Family Plot.
Friends and family are invited to a feast in honour of Norbert at the Old Saipoyi School immediately after the services.