SINA BELL, Obituary

FORT BELKNAP-Sina A. Bell, 82, a retired housekeeper for Indian Health Services and World War II Army veteran, died Saturday, May 18, 2002, at a Malta rest home of natural causes.

Visitation was Saturday at the Adams Memorial Chapel in Malta, with cremation to follow. Wake services were 7 p.m. Sunday at the Medicine Bear Lodge

in Lodge Pole. Memorial services were scheduled for 10 a.m. today at Medicine Bear Lodge.

Sina was born in Siletz, Ore., on April 19, 1920, to Coquille and Agnes (Newberry) Thompson. She was raised in Siletz and graduated from Chemawa Indian School in Oregon. It was at the school that she met her future husband, Preston Bell. She enlisted in the WAC, in the Army in 1943 and was discharged in 1945. She married Preston on Aug. 17, 1946, in Salem, Ore. They moved to Fort Belknap where they farmed and ranched. Sina went to work for the Indian Health Services as a housekeeper, retiring in 1983.

She enjoyed her grandchildren, sewing and gardening.

Sina was preceded in death by her husband, Preston Bell on Feb. 23, 1990; son, Billy Bell on Nov. 23, 1975; adopted son, David Bell on Jan. 24, 1993; and her parents.

Sina is survived by her daughter, Dodie Bell of Lodge Pole; sons, James Bell of Fort Belknap and Ted Bell of Gallup, N.M.; 20 grandchildren; and 28 great-grandchildren.

Adams Funeral Home of Malta is in charge of arrangements.