Walter Ray “Moose” Denny, 76, Indian Name: o-ki-mah-w-ki-iw “Eagle Chief,” died Monday, Jan. 12, 2009, at his home of natural causes.
His wake service began Tuesday afternoon at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church with his funeral service 10 a. m. today, also at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church, with Father Pete Guthneck officiating and Native American services by Russell Standingrock. Burial will follow at the Rocky Boy Cemetery. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Walter was born April 10, 1932, at Rocky Boy’s Indian Reservation at a residence below Sentinel Mountain. He was one of ten children born to George and Open Eyes Little Bear Denny Sr. Walter was raised and educated in Rocky Boy. He attended Stone Child College and obtained his associate degree in general studies. He married Elizabeth Sutherland and had five children. She passed away and Walter married Maxine Talimentis. Together they made their home in Rocky Boy, and to this union one child was born. Walter worked as a tribal judge, the director of the Chippewa Cree Housing, and as a social services director. He served on the Rocky Boy School Board and also served on the Chippewa Cree Tribal Council. His greatest passion was being the cultural historian of the Rocky Boy reservation and its Chippewa Cree members. Walter enjoyed hand game, dancing, yard work and storytelling. He was very involved in the community and knew many people. He was also a member of the Eagles. He was preceded in death by his parents; his first wife, Elizabeth Sutherland Denny; two brothers, George “Buster” Denny and Vance “Bounce” Denny; two sisters, Kathryn Denny and Angeline Sutherland; one daughter, Rose Mary Patacsil; grandson Matthew Denny Jr; and granddaughter Angel Denny. Walter is survived by his wife, Maxine Denny; mother, Florence Gourley; daughters: Roxanne (Ted) Demontiney, Tina Torres, Shirley Aragon and Michelle Torres; sons: Matthew (Joyce) Denny, Curtis (Chris) Denny, Bruce Denny, Walter (Trina) Denny Jr., Greg Denny; Joscayne (Sam) Denny, Larry (Margaret) Denny Sr., Pete (Gaile) Torres, Mario Patacsil, Victor (Kim) Patacsil, Richard (Gigi) Patacsil, Leon (Susan) Sutherland, Bernaby Patacsil, Pete Torres Jr.; and brother, Vince Denny; sisters: Elizabeth McGee, Gail Denny, Bonnie Granboise and Elizabeth Denny Belgarde, all of Rocky Boy, Mont; a brother, Jim Lewis, of Minneapolis, Minn.; 49 grandchildren; and 38 great-grandchildren.
