Obituaries

Vivian Ballard
FORT HALL — Vivian Ballard, 88 of Fort Hall, Idaho aka: Viv #1, Boo-Boo and Diane, peacefully went on her spiritual journey to reunite with her family on Sunday, July 17, 2022.

Her family was at her side at Portnuef Medical Center as she had long term health issues.

Vivian was born in Pocatello, Idaho June 24, 1934, to Whitney McKean Sr. and Delores Marsh. She attended schools at Fort Hall, Idaho and Owyhee, Nevada.

She married Desiderio Garcia and later divorced.  She later met the love of her life and married Albert Ballard. 

Vivian worked as a truck driver for a potato company in Nampa, Idaho. She worked for the Sho-Ban Tribes at the Elderly Nutrition for over 30 years then she retired. She also worked for the Commodities Program. Later she worked at the Idaho Youth Ranch in Pocatello, Idaho.

Vivian was a strong believer in the Native American Church and went to Sundances.

She was an outgoing, funny lady with a huge kind loving heart with whatever she did. She loved storytelling on anything. She enjoyed playing bingo and being around her bingo friends. She had a unique yell when she yelled Bingo and she loved to play at the casino.

She won an Indian Motorcycle from the casino. She enjoyed dancing and traveling to powwows. She and Albert Ballard were head lady and head man dancer at McDermitt, Nevada, Owyhee, Nevada, and Elmo Montana. She enjoyed being in parades. She enjoyed her time with Nutrition, by traveling to powwows and word searches. She enjoyed listening to NAC, Sundance, Powwow songs. She watched classic movies. She loved her animals especially her horse name Polly and her other farm animals.  In 2019 the Elderly Nutrition traveled to California for a Disneyland trip where she went on a Roller Coaster and screamed her little heart out. One of her favorite quotes: “I’m not too old to go tipi creeping!” She enjoyed her life to the fullest with her family and friends. 

Vivian is survived by her brother, Whitney McKean Jr., Fort Hall, adopted niece Roberta McDaid, nieces: Charlotte Damon, Shirley Morin, Rose Baird, Brenda McKean and Wanda McKean, nephews Brandon McKean and Joseph. Cousin sisters: Vivian Wahtomy, Velma Wahtomy, Charlene Wahtomy, Joyce Wahtomy and Marilyn Wahtomy, along with cousin brother Ernest Wahtomy. Grandchildren: Lisa Kettler, Cheri Outcelt, Robert Damon, Brandon Damon, Finlyn McKean, Cassie McKean, Monte McKean, Ambrea Sam, Jacelyn McKean, along with numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents Whitney McKean Sr. and Delores Marsh, sister Josephine McKean Damon, a brother ElNathan McKean, nephew Sonny Damon and niece Wineva McKean. Her paternal grandparents were Horse Thief McKean and Comfort McKean and maternal grandparents were Frank Marsh and Ida Kelly.

Viewing is at her residence at #1 Fielding Road Corner of Siler Road, House #1 on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 10 a.m. Services were at 6 p.m. that evening.

Traditional burial services begin with a sunrise ceremony at 6 a.m. on Thursday, July 21, 2022. Family Prayer is at 1 p.m. and burial is at 2 p.m. at the Sand Hill Cemetery.

The family is under the care of Wilks Funeral Home and her family.

Nino Lee Bear
FORT HALL — Nino Lee Bear, 68, of Pocatello, Idaho passed away Friday, July 15, 2022 at Eastern Idaho Regional Medical Center.

Nino was born in Pocatello on January 8, 1954, the son of Lee Bear and Josephine Tindore.

Nino grew up in Pocatello where he attended school. He graduated from Highland High School and continued his education at Idaho State University, where he earned his Associate degree.

He enlisted in the U.S. Army and served with the 101st Battalion and the 82nd Airborne Rangers.

He married Thelma Bear, who preceded him in death.

Nino was a farmer.

He enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing and camping. Spending time with his grandchildren, and was his grandsons biggest supporter.

Nino is survived by his daughter, Loreen Bear; a grandson he raised as his own, Bobby Running Bear; his siblings, Loretta Mosho, Lila Martinez, Twyla White Bear and Leo Lee Bear; and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Thelma Bear; his parents Lee Bear and Josephine Tindore Bear; daughters Henrietta Bear, Joann Bear and Denise Bear; granddaughter Samantha Bear; maternal grandparents Chauncey Tindore and Amelia Tindore, and paternal grandparents Ella Eagle Bear and White Bear.

Nino was taken to his residence, 349 Rio Vista Road, Pocatello on Monday, July 18, 2022. Traditional burial was in Cedars Cemetery on Wednesday, July 20, 2022 at 2 p.m.

The family is under the care of Hawker Funeral Home.

Eldean Nielson
SAN JOSE, Calif. — Eldean Nielson, 86, passed away July 11, 2022 in San Jose, California.

She was born June 30, 1936 in Fort Hall, Idaho to Henry Blackhawk and Abbey Stone.

She was raised in Fort Hall and attended Blackfoot High School.

Eldean was an 86-year-old kid according to her daughter. She spoke her mind, had a sense of humor and was good for a laugh. She preached being frugal even if she herself was not. She was a wild child back in her day. She was stubborn – Spitfire.

She was a housewife. Her hobbies included on-line shopping, browsing Facebook, listening to country music and she loved going to garage sales. She enjoyed eating sweets, going on walks and spending time with family.

She is survived by her children: Kelly Deanne Nielson Ilar, Cindy Eldean Nielson and Fred Jay Nielson Jr.
She is preceded in death by her parents Henry Blackhawk and Abbey Stone. Other relatives Lilly Martin, Mildred Borjas, Lurinda Ingawanup and Francis Pizoka.

Viewing is July 19, 2022 at Willow Glen Funeral Home. Services are July 30, 2022 in San Jose, Calif. She was cremated.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of the Nielson Family.