Jonnie Ree (Zotti) Schmaltz

SSGT JONNIE REE ZOTTI SCHMALTZ (Masuu-ish-e-ish Red Berries) (Sabag Cunansh Sahnish Arikara Woman Warrior) Born on August 24, 1952 to Magdalene Price and Calvin Hopkins at Garrison, ND; adopted by Ivan and Winona (Hopkins) Zotti as an infant. Jonnie left this world on March 23, 2016 in the care of hospice in her sister’s home in Bismarck. Jonnie was raised and graduated from high school in Grand Junction, CO. She was on a swimming team with her brothers while growing up and active in bowling with her dad and also while in the Army. She enjoyed watching football on Sunday, especially her beloved Denver Broncos and also followed the Colorado Avalanche. She graduated from high school in 1970 and enlisted in the US Army in Colorado in 1971 and attended basic training at Ft. McClellan, AL; attended AIT Southeastern Signal School at Ft. Gordon, GA and graduated as a Communications Specialist; permanently stationed at Ft. Eustis, VA, USA Transportation Center with the 160th Trans Detachment. She was honorably discharged in 1973. Jonnie was united in marriage to Tony Schmaltz on January 30, 1973. In 1990 she joined the ND National Guard and assigned to 3662nd Maintenance Co as a Supply Specialist. In November 1991 was assigned to Force Management Division, National Guard Bureau, Arlington, VA. In 1993 she transferred to the ND Military Academy that became the Regional Training Institute ND where she worked as an Administrative Assistant and as an Assistant Operations NCO. The RTI is an Engineer School which trains soldiers from all over the US in Combat, Vertical, Horizontal fields. She attended schools in South Dakota, Arizona and California and received many awards including a State Achievement Award, three Army Achievement Awards, three Army Commendation Awards and two Meritorious Service Medals. Jonnie served honorably and with pride and after 21½ years of Active Duty, retired on 30 April 2010. Jonnie was a lifetime member of American Legion Post 300 and was given her Indian name by her aunt while home on leave from Ft Eustis, VA. She was given her second Indian name by close relative, Rodney Howling Wolf, on March 22, 2016. Jonnie is survived by her son and daughter-in-law Scott and Nikki Schmaltz and four grandsons, Cullen, Bodey, Porter and Kyzer of Devils Lake, ND. Nephew David (Spike) White Tail of White Shield; grandchildren Macy White Tail, Nebraska; Katlin Zotti, Williston; Gary Shott-Zotti, South Dakota; great-grandchildren Taya and Mark Zotti, Williston; sisters Doris Hopkins of California, Suzie Mesteth, Lori Young and Linda Foolbear, all of Bismarck. She entered the arms of her parents: Calvin Hopkins and Magdalene Thieman and Ivan and Winona (Hopkins) Zotti; brothers Roy Hopkins, Gary and Bruce Zotti; sisters Judy Hopkins and Sawahu Rantala; nieces and nephews Michael, Michelle, Scott and Winona White Tail; Gary Jr. and Skylar Zotti. Burial will be in the Old Scouts Cemetery, rural White Shield, ND. Military Honors will be accorded by the Joseph Young Hawk/Elmer Bear American Legion Post #253.