Ivan Roberts
Ivan Phillip Roberts, 75, of Poplar died Oct. 30, 2024, at Billings Clinic in Billings.
He grew up on the Fort Peck Indian Reservation in Montana and was proud of his full blood Sioux affiliation to that tribe. He is a descendant of the Bad Temper Bear Clan. He grew up in Frazer and played basketball for the Frazer High School Bear-Cubs.
At the age of 20, wanting to see more of the world, he enlisted in the Army, which led to him being sent overseas and into Vietnam War, where he received the National Defense Service, Vietnam Service, Combat Infantryman, Good Conduct, Parachutist, Pathfinder, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Bronze Star awards and medals. In 1971, he was honorably discharged, moved home and later attended college in Missoula.
He met Kathy Birdsbill in the summer of 1969 and continued a relationship throughout the years. They were married March 21, 1987. They had one son, Matthew.
They enjoyed watching basketball games and his football team, the Denver Broncos, play.
He held several jobs. He worked at the Transco Railroad in Miles City and later retired from A& S Industries in Poplar.
He is survived by Matthew; step-sons, Jarett and Nolan of Wolf Point, Eli and Tanya of Nebraska; brother, Tony Iron Bear; sisters, Linda Dean of Miles City, Neva Spotted Wolf, JoAnna Spotted Wolf, Lucinda Standing Bear, Linda Iron Bear Lezard, Myrna Iron Bear Daniels and Cheryl Iron Bear Boyd, all of Poplar.
He was preceded in death by his mother, Vera Roberts; father, Harry Iron Bear Sr.; brothers, Lloyd, Clarence, Gerald, August “Jug,” Austin “Moose,” Merele, Harry Jr., Alfred, Lonnie and Sonny; and sisters, Beth, BettyJo and Charmaine Iron Bear and Agnes “Babygirl” Spotted Wolf.
Funeral services were held Friday, Nov. 8, at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment was at Poplar City Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point assisted the family with arrangements.
