RITA SPEAR CHIEF (née Bull Calf), passed away at the Foothills Health Centre, on Thursday, November 11, 2021 at the age of 79 years.
She was born on the Blood Indian Reserve to Herbert and Martha (Black Horse) Bull Calf on February 18, 1942. She was married to the late Reggie Spear Chief at the age of 16, and together, had seven children: Wanda, Roderick, Winnifred, Christopher, Racheal, Lori and Albert. Rita and Reggie lived on the Blood Reserve where they raised their children, farmed and owned cattle and horses. Back then, together Reggie and Rita would be out working with the livestock and busy during haying season, hauling to Ririe's in Magrath, AB, hauling by tractor and hayrack often, with her brothers-in-law Allen and Gordon Spear Chief helping them during haying season.
Rita left the Blood Reserve in 1968. She lived in Lethbridge, Coalhurst and Calgary, where she resided and lived at Brentwood Care Centre as her health declined.
Rita is survived by two daughters: Lori Crow Eagle and Janelle First Rider, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins and adopted brothers Leroy Hunt and Moses Spear Chief.
Rita was predeceased by her parents Herbert and Martha Bull Calf, husband Reggie Spear Chief in 1982, and children: Wanda and Roderick Bull Calf, Winnifred, Christopher, Racheal and Albert Spear Chief, sisters Molly Bull Calf, Maude Calling Last and Catherine Blood, grandchildren: Allison Webster, Glenda Bull Calf and Melissa Spear Chief, and the Bull Calf, Buckskin, Hunt and Brave Rock families. The family apologizes for anyone they may have missed.
The Family Service will be held at CORNERSTONE FUNERAL HOME, 2825 - 32 Street South, Lethbridge, AB, on Monday, November 22, 2021 at 4:00 P.M., with the Wake to follow at Cornerstone from 6:00 P.M. to 9:00 P.M.
The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at ST. MARTHA'S CATHOLIC CHURCH, 355 Columbia Blvd. West, Lethbridge, AB, on Tuesday, November 23, 2021 at 1:00 P.M. with Father William Monis celebrating.
Rita will be laid to rest with her husband Reggie in St. Catherine's Cemetery on the Blood Reserve. The Mass and Graveside Service will be livestreamed and may be accessed via Rita's obituary on the Cornerstone website.
