Tina Lillian (Hoops) Stewart

Tina Lillian Hoops Stewart was called home to her Heavenly Father on Monday morning, February 10th, 2025. “Tina Gurl” as she was affectionately called, was born on February 20, 1960, in Crow Agency, Montana to Sammy and Ernestine Hoops. She had a close bond with her sister Lori, whom became a momma figure and helped raise Tina Gurl.

She was a member of Bad War Deeds Clan and a child of the Big Lodge Clan and a member of Crow Foursquare Church.  She was given the name “Akchiiwaakii xiasaash” “Well Known Prayers” by Leonard Old Dwarf. 

 In 2003 she met and married Robert Leon Stewart, together they established their family home in Hardin, Montana, where they shared countless memories, laughter, and love. Their bond was a testament to the enduring power of love and devotion.  She was a proud member of the WhiteSwan Gatherings in Reno District.

She grew up and attended schools in Crow Agency and Hardin; she moved to Denver and while there she worked at McDonalds. She was awarded the “Employee of the Month” for her cleanliness, her work ethic and her positive attitude, she was simply their best worker. She was employed at Reza Vegas and one of her duties was a Bingo Caller, but was released due to her Ashkepness and laughing too much. 

Her hobbies included beading projects, she had completed several outfits for Crow Fair Royalties and Princess’, family and friends.  She loved her “Find My Word” workbook and word search puzzles which she always carried with her.  She loved music, loved to sing and dance, and dance she did, she literally “danced like nobody’s watching” to heart.  She had been on dialysis for 17 years, started in 2008 and in 2011 she was put on the Denver transplant waiting list, she attended meetings and several phone calls, she was hopeful that one day that phone call would come; but this didn’t stop her living life to the fullest and she lived every moment, Laughed every day and Loved beyond words.  She was very organized and liked things tidy and neat; her favorite meal to cook any time of the day most times at midnight is her fried macaroni.  She would whip up a big frying pan of fried macaroni, saying it was for herself, but she always shared it. She had a love of playing bingo where she won a car that she was so proud of.  She loved watching the Denver Broncos football games going all out in her Broncos gear, banners and flags.  She loved to support the Hardin Bulldogs, always first in the gym, she found great joy in attending any of her nieces, nephews, grandchildren’s events and remained an active presence in their lives, she celebrated with their accomplishments and each milestone. She loved to attend the powwows, celebrations and events to support many of her nieces and granddaughters as they held the role in royalty and princesses.  She let them know she was proud of them and showed her support with her presence. Her favorite title was “Kaale Gurl” she was so happy when she became a grandma, she wore that title with pride and went above and beyond for all the grandkids, she never wanted anyone to feel left out she made sure she supported them in many ways.

Tina’s kindhearted soul and happy heart endeared her to all who crossed her path. She leaves behind cherished memories and a profound impact on her family, friends, and community. While we mourn her passing, we take comfort in knowing that she now rests in eternal peace, reunited with loved ones who have gone before her.

She is preceded in death by her parents Sammy and Ernestine; aunts and uncles Andy Russell, Hannah Pretty On Top, Mary Agnes, Ryder, Aloysious White Hip, Eleanor, Evelyn, Linda, Albert Birdinground, Gerry Hoops Wilson, daughter Christian Lee Hoops and niece whom she calls her “Princess” Mylei Morgan Rose Birdinground. 

Surviving her is her husband of 21 years, Robert Leon Stewart, she also raised her grandchildren as her own, she calls “Lil Man” aka Shyren Mace her “Pride and Joy”, Axel Kai and Arya Lillian her name sake, whom she dearly loved; daughters Jennifer Gunshows, Eva (Vernon) Fisher, Brocade (Levi) Blackeagle, Remi Stewart (Tracey) Chavez, Tamera “Brighteyes” (Solon) Moccasin, Antonia Birdinground (Stefan) Raining Bird, Arlene Birdinground, Larilyn and LaraJane Eastman, Tamara “Sunshine” (Geoff) Eastman, Jeanette “Bambi” Little Nest Hoops, Lillian “Babygirl” Nomee, Marina (Mikey) Christian; Ilene Rae and Starla Pretty On Top (Jared) Reeves, Terry Jo and Whitney Birdinground and Angel Birdinground (Ethaniel) DeCrane; sons Robert “Bob” Gunshows, Marlin (Ivy), Joral and Donald Stewart III, Timothy Zane Pretty On Top, Shann (Tasha) Iron, Alexander Pickett, Jalen Mountain Sheep, LaRon Eastman, Romey and Wilson Birdinground, Andrew (Sara) and Tony (Kimberly) Little Nest; Stephen (TreVonna) Pierre Matt, Ivan (Kari-Lynn), Stephen (LeAnn), Stephen (Mya) Jr., JrWayne Not Afraid, Kevin (Anna) Pretty On Top, Solon, Clint (Misty) and Wilbur (Braylee) Fitzpatrick; siblings Cathy (Wayne) Not Afraid, Georgia Hoops (Paul) Matt, Lori (Larry) Eastman, Janet (Sidney) Fitzpatrick, Leslie (Ervin) Birdinground, Kallie Pretty On Top, Bertha Rose Hogan, Lisa (Mike) Stevens, Verena (JR) Dust, Aretha Hoops and Lucy Lynn Broken Rope; brothers Clarence (Jocelyn) Three Irons, Allison Birdinground, Sam Hoops Jr, Kenny (Jerusha) and Darren (Stacy) Pretty On Top; Scott (Debbie), Boyd (Charlotte) and Corey Russell, Paul “JR” (Bernadine) Nomee III, Robert Flatlip, Robert Clarence and Orrin (Diane) Pickett,  Aj (Samantha) Broken Rope and Cheyenne (Jolene) Bixby, childhood besties Julie Adams and Victoria Watson; close friends Michelle Whiteclay, Martha Singer, Nellie Bad Bear, Georgiann Old Elk, Cindy Alden, Jolene Ten Bear, Mona Bear Claw, Mona Singer and “Stevie White” her besties; aunts and uncles Clifford (Ardith) Birdinground, Kenneth Pretty On Top, Laura Real Bird, Veda Iron Rodriguez, Sharon Stands, Angela Russell, Victoria Hogan, Wyla Medicine Horse, Andrea Lee and Barbara Birdinground, Elsie (Kurt) LaForge, Ricky (Ann) and Eugene (Lydia) Birdinground; sisters-in-law Donna and Janet Stewart, Barbara (Ken) Spotted, Almeda (Dean) Good Luck, brothers-in-law Wesley (Twyla) and Donald Stewart II. She is survived by numerous grandchildren whom she loved dearly.

Extended Family: Birdinground, Thunder Iron Lincoln, Other Medicine, Charges Strong, Hoops, Jefferson, Bull Chief, Real Bird, White Clay, Iron, Goes Ahead and Stewart Families, decedent of Chief Pretty Eagle and Thunder Iron Lincoln.

Please bear with us in our time of grief if we have forgotten any family members.  Tina was blessed with a large and extended family. 

The family would like to thank the Dialysis Director Max Spotted Bear and all the dialysis van drivers, Harold Backbone, Evelyn Jefferson, Misty Old Coyote, Cornelia Medicine Horse, JD Bull Chief and Renita Hill.  Thank you to the Medical Staff of the Billings Dialysis, Billings Clinic and Hardin Memorial Hospital.  The family appreciates the love, support and prayers send our way.

 Bullis Mortuary has been entrusted with the arrangements.

 “I am now ready, my departure is at hand, I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith”. `2 Timothy 4:7  As she always said, “Always Remember Tina Gurl loves you with all I got, you all have an amazing fabulous bless day, God Bless you all with good health, wealth and prosperity.  Leave it all in God’s hands, He will make a way, by His Stripes you are all healed in Jesus name” Amen.  “Shianuk deawagawiik”

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