Maria Loretta Wetsit was born on October 24, 1933 her brother looked at her and said “what a Tweet little girl”. Everyone laughed as he couldn’t say “sweet”. The name stuck and she grew up known as Tweet Wetsit. Her proud parents were John Earl and Nina Catherine (Redstone) Wetsit. She was given her name as a girl at a ceremony. At that time, it was illegal to practice Indigenous religion and customs. She never shared her name given at that ceremony. Her grandpa called her Sha Hiya Wiya/Cree Girl. She told her family to call her by that name.
She graduated from Frazer High School and went on to complete her teaching degree at Eastern University (MSUB). She did her student teaching at McKinley School in Billings, Montana. She then became a teacher in Harlowton. Tweet was recruited to teach at North Pasture Creek School where she met the love of her life Edmund “June” Commodore Walton, Jr. Together, they raised five children (Doretta, Carolyn, Steve, Patrick and Thomas “T. Ed”).
She raised chickens, turkey and pigs on the ranch. Her children tell stories of how the birds would follow her throughout the yard, and happily chirp at her. Each year, she’d share the poultry with family and friends. She told stories about how good she was at branding and caring for the cattle on her and June’s ranch. When she moved to town, she continued to care for the cats and dogs throughout her neighborhood.
She demonstrated generosity and compassion throughout her life and instilled the love of family in her children. Whenever anyone came to visit she would feed them and insist they took food or a gift with them. She was a life-long educator, always willing to teach others valuable lessons. She welcomed others into her home and cared for them as family. Her generosity will live on in all who knew her.
Lorie/Tweet is preceded in death by her husband, June, her parents and siblings: Lawrence “Hans” Wetsit, Donald Wetsit, George “Bootsie” Wetsit, Katie “Dolly” Wetsit Stark.
She is survived by: Her daughter Dorie (Jim) Rush, grandchildren: Whit (Carly) great-grandchildren Ayla, Cannon, and Hope; Coly (Erin) great-grandchildren Antavius, Maxton, Jaxzine; Dayton (Shaun); Kateri and great-grandchild Ryker.
Her daughter Carolyn (Bill) Rusche, grandchildren: Ryan (Becky) great-grandchildren Jesse and Rafe Rusche; Calli (Kenny) great-grandchildren Caleb and Sienna Nicholson.
Her son Steve Walton, his children Sheridan and Shelby.
Her son Patrick (Nerissa) Walton, grandchildren: Cameron (Jory), great-grandchild Aquila; Ranielle (Jarkko), Ronnel (Lindsey) and Akeshia Walton.
Her son T.Ed Walton, grandchildren: Miles (also Lorie’s adopted son); Michael, great-grandchildren Josiah and Davettia; and Tayden Walton.
Her sister Carol Wetsit Jones, and many children and grandchildren the Nakoda/Assiniboine way. She loved everyone dearly.