Obituaries
Clifford Robert Houtz
FORT HALL — Our devoted father, (togo) grandfather, (tso-tso) great grandfather, husband, brother, and uncle Clifford peacefully descended to glory by Damme Appah and Bavi Jesus on July 16, 2020.
Clifford was born on November 5, 1926 in the Fort Hall Agency Hospital, which is now the Fish and Game Department. Cliff’s services were held on July 18, 2020, 6 p.m. at the Hawker Funeral Home in Blackfoot. Clifford was returned to his residence in Gibson for viewing until Monday, July 20, 2020. Clifford was laid to rest next to his mother Effie Diggie Houtz, his father Herbert Eugene Houtz and his little sister Janet at the Grove City Cemetery in Blackfoot, Idaho.
Cliff had two older brothers James Houtz and Donner “Rusty” Houtz and a younger sister, Janet who passed as an infant. His maternal grandfather was Charlie Diggie (togo) and grandmother was Piabah (gagu); paternal grandfather (gunu) was Carl Houtz and grandmother (hootsi) was Evelyn Houtz.
Clifford married Leona Broncho 68 years ago and they proudly had two children, Clinton Houtz and Shirley Houtz Alvarez. His grandchildren included Brittinie Dawn (Nik Konstantinov), Alexandria Brooke and Blake Forrest (Bailey Jo Alvarez) and one tso tso Nate Bladen Alvarez. Ranching and riding horses was Cliff’s passion.
Cliff attended elementary school in Blackfoot. After Cliff’s dad passed and his mother moved to Phoenix, Cliff moved in with his maternal grandparents, Charlie and Piaabah, while his brothers moved in with his paternal grandparents. Cliff often shared his fondest childhood memories were when he was with his Togo, Charlie Diggie as his love was so deep for him. Cliff learned so much from him and shared further that Charlie taught him (Soshoni) Shoshone while his grandmother (Gagu) Peabah taught him (Panakwat) Bannock. His Togo, Charlie instilled in Cliff the importance of hard work and its significance for survival.
Clifford’s love for the horse was a lifetime passion. He was 100% horseman, and enjoyed his life as a rancher and cowboy. He also valued a good cow dog. In his early years he participated in calf roping, bull dogging, saddle bronc riding and team roping.
He spent years dedicated to keeping the Fort Hall Junior and Senior Rodeo alive. He was afraid that the children of the reservation would forget how important the horse was to our people, not only in rodeo, but ever so important to our history and existence. Clifford also didn’t want to see the elder cowboy’s overlooked in the sport of rodeo as the focus was transitioning to a more competitive level. Many cowboys would travel from out-of-state to Fort Hall during the Festival as they looked forward to the friendships, joy and quality of the All-Indian Jr. and Senior Rodeo. Cliff and countless others were so committed and appreciated for their remarkable time volunteering to keep this part of our connection with the horse alive. One of his fondest memories was when he team roped with his first cousin Maxine Racehorse Edmo’s husband, Kesley in the Festival’s Sr. Rodeo Century Roping competition and they won it!
Cliff’s ultimate pride and joy resonated with his three grandchildren and later his tso tso. He played a remarkably active and robust role from infancy to their adulthood with his wife, Leona. He positively impacted his own two children to include numerous other children in the family by supporting and mentoring them especially in the sport of rodeo. Cliff will be missed, but he and Leona are riding horse again!
Evelyn Marie Tindore
FORT HALL — Evelyn Marie Tindore of Fort Hall, passed away from a sudden illness at Portneuf Medical Center on Friday, July 24, 2020.
A viewing was held at her home on Reservation Road in Fort Hall and burial was at Cedars Cemetery. Arrangements were under the care of Downard Funeral Home in Pocatello.
