Pauline White Bear, 82, White Shield, died Saturday, August 13 in a Bismarck hospital. Funeral services will be held on Wednesday at 11:00 am at the Ralph Wells Jr. Memorial Complex in White Shield. Burial will be at the Congregational Cemetery in White Shield.

Pauline was born in a log cabin in the Nishu and Elbowoods area. She was born June 20, 1929 to Robert Bear Sr. and Dora (Hopkins) Bear. She was raised around the Nishu area. Her father was half Arikara, half Hidatsa and the hereditary chief to the Arikara Tribe. At a very young age she spent a lot of time with her parental grandfather Judge Wolf and began to understand the Hidatsa traditions.

At a young age she liked to be around her brothers who were horseman. She helped them break horses and she rode broncs. One story goes; she rode a bronc, got bucked off and knocked out. Her brothers Elmer and Duane took her home, her mother asked what happened, her brothers replied, if she wants to hang around and be like us, she has to take what happens. She was lying on the bed and still had the bronc riding glove on.

In her early 20's, she started a family with Joseph White Bear Jr. They had 8 children. Joseph died in 1963. Later on in life she had a companion.

Pauline was rich in the knowledge of the Arikara traditions which she taught her children and grandchildren. Up until her illness, she was a very active member of the White Shield community, supporting all community activities and organizations. She loved to play bingo and made star quilts and hand crafted them. Pauline was a lifetime member of the Joseph Young Hawk/Elmer Bear Post #253 American Legion Auxiliary in White Shield.

Ten to fifteen years ago she began to have health problems which ended up taking her life. She will be truly missed by her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, sisters, brothers, and other relatives.

She was preceded in death by her parents, 2 sons and a daughter, 3 brothers, 2 half-sisters and 1 grandson.

Pauline is survived by her sons, Wayne Richard, and Elmer all of White Shield, daughters, Madonna, Loie, and Joy, all of White Shield; step daughter, Florence Burr, New Town, ten grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren, and 1 great great grandchild; three sisters, two brothers and many cousins, nieces, nephews and grandchildren.