"Boots" Gladys Lake

"Boots" Gladys Lake

October 5, 1942 - June 3, 2024

Boots Lake peacefully passed away in Dillon, MT on June 3, 2024. She was surrounded by her husband, children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren.

Boots was born on October 5, 1942, in Poplar, MT to Albert and Eva (Belgarde) Longie. She had five brothers and four sisters.

Boots was a member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians. When she was a child, she and two of her sisters were taken and placed in the St Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Boots would later tell of how her dad missed them so much that he drove to the school and took his daughters home, and he didn't care what anyone thought or had to say about it.

Her dad's work took the family to Idaho and Utah before they settled down in Dillon, MT.

Boots was working at the Wheeler Inn diner as a waitress in 1960 where she met Harvey Lake. Harvey had just taken a job with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and would stop at the Wheeler Inn to have coffee after his workday. That is where the gorgeous Boots Longie caught his eye. Even though she was shy, and often hid behind the counter, she would peek out from behind the coffee machine to see if he was looking back at her. Boots and Harvey fell in love and were married in 1961 on the front steps of the Virginia City courthouse. The couple celebrated 63 years together and were the hallmark of true love. During their marriage, it was difficult to find one without the other. Boots' favorite song to sing to Harvey was "Just Look at Us" by Vince Gill which captures their life together and love for one another.

Together Boots and Harvey raised their six children in Dillon, MT. Later, her grandchildren and great grandchildren became her greatest joy. She loved having them come over to cook and sing with her.

Boots loved to cook and was known for it. She enjoyed having "the whole Tribe" over for dinner, including her immediate and extended family and friends. Boots loved serving her family's favorites of fry bread, cookies, pies, cinnamon rolls, bread pudding, and her famous "Bootsie's Buns."

Boots loved music. Growing up, our home was filled with music by Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Johnny Cash and Merle Haggard. Boots enjoyed singing throughout her life, and when she found herself an empty nester, she dedicated her time to singing and playing the guitar. At first, she performed by herself, and eventually, she started a band. She also enjoyed accompanying the Little Fiddlers, especially while her grandson, Brendan, was playing.

Karaoke was just starting to hit the music scene, and Harvey was ready to retire. The couple talked about finding something they could do together. That is when they decided to start "Boots Country Karaoke." Boots played for many parties, weddings, fundraisers, and school activities. Karaoke took Boots and Harvey around the states of Montana, Idaho, South Dakota, Wisconsin and to Willow Bunch, Sask., Canada. In Canada she played for the anniversary celebration of the town where her father was born. One of the highlights of her music career was when she went back to the Indian school she was placed in as a child and played karaoke for the children there.

Boots and Harvey were known for their annual "Boots Country Karaoke" contest at Beaverhead County Fairgrounds during Labor Day Weekend. For 26 years people would come from as far as Idaho, Utah and Washington to compete for the $1000 prize. Along the way Boots made many lifelong friends who enjoyed music as much as she did. One of her favorite memories was the chance to meet Glen Campbell in person.

Boots loved flowers, riding around in her little red convertible, funny jokes, music and her family.

Boots is preceded in death by her parents Albert and Eva Longie, sisters: Grace Gwinn, Blanche Benales and VE-Day Moran, brothers: Louis Red Cloud, Melvin, Benny and Eugene Longie, grandson Brendan Reints, granddaughter Amy Lake, son-in-law Richard "Dick" Marshall and Lonnie, her infant son.

Boots is survived by her husband Harvey, who cherished her and devotedly cared for her to the very end.

Children: Ron (Nancy) Lake, Shelly (Jerry) McDonald, Nolan (Erin) Lake, Valerie (Jim) Linscott, , Harvey Jr. (Patti) Lake, all of Dillon, Montana and Robin (Wm. Opie) Reints of Jeffers, Montana; grandchildren Megan, Jeremy, Eric, Josh, Tony, Nathan, Kevin, Haley, Jamie, Shelby, Travis, Julie, Camille, Whittney, Tryston, Jason, James, Alec and great grandchildren Corbin, Mira, Lennox, Talon, Breckett, Chess, Lauren, Bode, Mateo, Oliver, Emera, Chloe, Alex, Ian, Ruby, June, and Jamison. Sister Terry Lowry, Brothers-in-law Robin Lake and Sisters-in-Law Janet Lake, Idaho, Joann Red Cloud of Oregon, Judy Longie of Dillon, Montana and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank those who have been so helpful during her final years and for all her friends who stopped by to play music, pray, care for her and just hold her hand.

Funeral services will be at Brundage Funeral Home, Tuesday, June 11, 2024, at 1:00 PM with a burial service to follow at Mountain View Cemetery. There will be a luncheon at Mac's Last Cast following the service.