Lorna M. Bear

LORNA M. BEAR Lorna M. Bear passed away in Towaoc, Colo. on Saturday, October 8, 2011 at the age of 59. Visitation will be held at Towaoc Community Center on Wednesday, October 12 from 8 10 a.m. A traditional wake will be held beginning at 7 p.m. Wednesday evening at the Clint Gruwall Home in Cedar View, Utah. Lorna will be laid to rest at 9 a.m. on Thursday, October 13 at the Fort Duchesne Cemetery in Fort Duchesne, Utah. Lorna was born September 22, 1952 in Roosevelt, Utah the daughter of Odell Mills and Ethel Tapoof. She attended boarding school in Ignacio, Colo. After receiving her GED, Lorna attended Weber College in Ogden, Utah and finally received her Associates Degree in Education from Brigham Young University in Provo. She continued her education with summer courses from Logan State. Lorna worked as the Community Health Representative with the Ute Mountain Ute Tribe. Lorna was a Chieftess for the last 8 years with Sundances. She was very active in Pow Wows, sweat lodges, and the Bear Dance. She loved traveling with family especially with her granddaughter, Tasheena Perank, who she legally adopted when she was four years old. Surviving Lorna are her children, Michelle Lopez of Towaoc who Lorna said of Michelle, "she did the best she could", Jodell Mills Padia of Fort Duchesne, Utah, who was a wonderful free spirit and kind heart, Tony Padia of Omak, Wash. He has made his home in Washington State on the Colville Reservation and is attending college and working, and by Justin Bear of Towaoc who was Lorna's last son and who had always been by her side. As Lorna would say "he's my baby". Also surviving Lorna are ten grandchildren; three great grandchildren; her siblings, Adelbert Tavachute, Joseph Tapoof, and Sandy Pike; and a half-brother, Tommy May.