Deceased Members

 

Ellen L. (Fookes) Richards     December 16, 1966 - June 21, 2010

Ellen L. (Fookes) Richards

Homemaker, animal lover and writer Ellen Lynn (Fookes) Richards, 43, of Choteau died June 20, 2010, at a Great Falls hospital after an eight-year battle with metastasized breast cancer. Viewing will be June 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gorder Funeral Home in Choteau and June 24 at 9:30 a.m. in the Relief Society Room at the Choteau LDS Church. The funeral will be in the LDS chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Burial will be in the Choteau Cemetery. Gorder Funeral Home is handling arrangements. Ellen was born on Dec. 16, 1966, in Torrance, Calif., to Patricia and Thomas Fookes. She graduated from Indio High School in Indio, Calif., and attended Yavapai College at Prescott, Ariz., studying writing. She married Thomas Richards of Choteau in 1998 in a civil ceremony in Belgrade. Their marriage was later sealed in the LDS Temple in Billings. Ellen worked in sales and as a clerk. When she and her husband moved to Choteau, they worked as managers of the Bella Vista Motel until she became too ill to continue. She enjoyed writing nonfiction essays about her life and wanted to inspire people with stories of the obstacles she faced and overcame in her life. She also wrote poetry and had several poems published. She enjoyed making beaded jewelry and aromatherapy oils. She was active in the LDS Church in Belgrade and was a lifelong animal lover with a special soft spot for cats. She and Tom lost a home to a house fire that killed several of their cats, but...

Homemaker, animal lover and writer Ellen Lynn (Fookes) Richards, 43, of Choteau died June 20, 2010, at a Great Falls hospital after an eight-year battle with metastasized breast cancer.
Viewing will be June 23 from 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Gorder Funeral Home in Choteau and June 24 at 9:30 a.m. in the Relief Society Room at the Choteau LDS Church. The funeral will be in the LDS chapel at 10:30 a.m. on Thursday. Burial will be in the Choteau Cemetery. Gorder Funeral Home is handling arrangements.
Ellen was born on Dec. 16, 1966, in Torrance, Calif., to Patricia and Thomas Fookes. She graduated from Indio High School in Indio, Calif., and attended Yavapai College at Prescott, Ariz., studying writing.
She married Thomas Richards of Choteau in 1998 in a civil ceremony in Belgrade. Their marriage was later sealed in the LDS Temple in Billings.
Ellen worked in sales and as a clerk. When she and her husband moved to Choteau, they worked as managers of the Bella Vista Motel until she became too ill to continue.
She enjoyed writing nonfiction essays about her life and wanted to inspire people with stories of the obstacles she faced and overcame in her life. She also wrote poetry and had several poems published. She enjoyed making beaded jewelry and aromatherapy oils.
She was active in the LDS Church in Belgrade and was a lifelong animal lover with a special soft spot for cats. She and Tom lost a home to a house fire that killed several of their cats, but one lone baby kitten, only one day old survived, and Ellen raised the kitten on a bottle, enjoying many years with Kaji until cancer took this pet's life.
She also raised a stray kitten that wandered into their yard here, a beautiful cat now, named Mayoke. Ellen volunteered in the animal shelter in Bozeman.
Ellen will be remembered for her kind and gentle nature and her love for family and friends, animals, and life in general.
Her survivors include her husband of Choteau; her mother of Bynum; her father of Sedona, Ariz.; sisters, Theresa Moreno of Long Beach, Calif., and Paula Pierce of Cathedral City, Calif.; brothers, Tomas Fookes and Alex Fookes, both of Seattle; many nieces, nephews and cousins. She also leaves behind her beloved Mayoke.
She was preceded in death by a sister, Corrina Fookes, two cousins and all of her grandparents.
Memorials are suggested to the American Cancer Society, Bright Eyes Animal Shelter or a charity of the donor's choice.
Condolences may be left online at www.gorderfuneral home.com

 

Matthew Lee Denny Jr.   March 06, 1983 - January 02, 2010

James Paul Russette Sr   November 09, 1934 - December 02, 2009

ROCKY BOY~ James Paul Russette Sr. 75 of Rocky Boy, died December 2, 2009 in Great Falls, MT. A Wake is underway at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church. A Mass of Christian Burial will be 9AM Saturday, December 5, 2009 at the Church with burial to follow at the Rocky Boy Cemetery. He was born November 9, 1934 in FT. Belknap, MT. to Mike & Helen (Champagne) Russette. He served his country in the U.S. Air Force from 1952 until he was honorably discharged in 1954. He met and later Married Bernice Ruth Meyers in 1964 at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church. James was employed by the B.I.A; was a heavy equipment operator as an oiler and was a mechanic. He enjoyed baseball and fishing and spending time with his grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Bernice Ruth Meyers Russette; his 7 brothers, 5 sisters, 2 daughters; 7 grandchildren. Survivors include; his daughters & their husbands: Ruth (Lyman) Wolfchief of Rocky Boy; Deanna (Udall) Gibson-Thoreau of New Mexico; Dale Marie Russette of Duck Creek; Kyla Valdez of Dry Fork; Janna Lea Chavez ; Kristy Chavez both of Duck Creek. His sons and their spouses: James Paul Russette, Jr. of Wyoming; Dean (Venita) Russette of Bonneauville; Wesley (Renessa ) Russette of Lame Deer; Donald (Sarah) Russette of Idaho Falls. His sisters Pauline Russette of Rocky Boy; Erma Racine, of Browning. His brothers Calvin Russette of Rocky Boy.
28 Grandchildren; 70 great grandchildren. 1 Great great grandson

 

Robert Aloysius Henry   December 08, 1973 - October 03, 2009

 

Jack Thomas Lamere Jr.   December 20, 1967 - September 27, 2009

 

Debra Ann Boushie Carver   January 19, 1956 - September 27, 2009

Debra Ann Carver passed away September 27, 2009 in Spokane, Wa. She was proceeded in death by her father, Richard Joseph Boushie Sr. She is survived by her mother, Hazel D. Bertholf of Spokane; husband, Frank Buhrer of Spokane; daughter, Stacy Marie Cartwright of Spokane; five grandchildren, Payton, Chase, Sierra, Paige, Tristan; sisters, Sandy Boushie-Meshell of Wellpinit, Wa., Rosalie Boushie and Charity Boushie of Hays, Mt., April Boushie-Cliff of Lodgepole, Mt.; brothers, Travis H. Bertholf of Spokane, Richard Boushie Jr. of Lodgepole, Mt., George Boushie of Ft. Belknap, Mt., Ted Boushie of Missoula, Mt., Pete Shawn Boushie of Hays, Mt., Troy Werk of Havre, Mt.; uncle, Clifford E. Boushie of Rocky Boy, Mt.; extended family, Wesley Carver; and numerous nieces and nephews.

 

Robert James Small   January 18, 1954 - September 22, 2009

Robert “Bobby” James Small
o-sah-ow-pi-ye-so“ Yellow Bird”
o-sah-ow-pi-s-to-so “Yellow Whirl Wind”

Robert “Bobby” James Small, 55, died Tuesday September 22, 2009 at his home in Rocky Boy. His cause of death has not yet been determined. His wake service was to begin Thursday at the Rocky Boy Lutheran Church with the funeral service 10 a.m. Friday at the Rocky Boy High School Gymnasium. Burial will follow at the Rocky Boy Cemetery. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Robert was born January 18, 1954 in Havre, Montana to Andrew and Dorothy (Sunchild) Small.He was raised and educated in Rocky Boy and graduated from Box Elder High School He attended MSU-Northern and received his Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education with a Minor in History and Social Science. He then attended MSU- Bozeman and obtained his Master’s Degree in Education. Robert dedicated his life to his passion for teaching children. He began his career at Northern Montana College working as a recruit and performing other coaching duties. He worked for Brockton High School, Box Elder High School, Harlem High School, Rocky Boy High School and Heart Butte High School where he educated students and also coached basketball. He then took a position at Stone Child College where he served as the Dean of Academics and worked on curriculum development. He also worked at the Boys and Girls Club in Rocky Boy. He married Mary Wolfchild on June 30, 2001 in Rocky Boy where they lived and raised their family.

Robert enjoyed fishing watching his kids play sports, watching all kinds of sporting activities on television especially the Denver Broncos, MSU Bobcats and the LA Dodgers, hunting, softball and coaching his sons in baseball. He especially enjoyed being with his family.

He was preceded in death by his father Andrew Small, Sr.; one son Ryan Small; and grandmother Fanny Oats Sunchild.

Robert is survived by his two daughters from a previous marriage Ashley Small of Havre, Montana and Jenny (Donald) Small of Rocky Boy, Montana. His wife Mary Small of daughter:Kiara Small; Sons: Todd, Kolie and Kordell Small and Christopher Wolf ChiefHis mother Dorothy Sunchild Small all of Rocky Boy, Montana.Sister: Delphine (Mike) Sangrey; Brother: Andrew Small, Jr.; Aunts: Irene Mitchell, Zellah Sunchild Nault and Helen Sunchild Parker and his Uncle Bruce Sunchild all of Rocky Boy, Montana.
Two Grandchildren: Brayden and Kirsten LaMere both of Rocky Boy, Montana.

 

Shalako Louis St. Marks   January 6, 1991 - September 19, 2009

 

Shalako Louis St. Marks, 18, died Saturday September 19, 2009 from an accidental drowning at Bonneau Dam in Chouteau County.His wake service was to begin Friday, September 25, with his funeral service 11 a.m. Saturday all at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church with Father Pete Guthneck officiating. Burial will follow at the Courchane Family Cemetery. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.
Shalako was born January 6, 1991 in Havre, Montana to Louis and Cindy (Randa) St. Marks. He was raised in Great Falls and attended Great Falls Public Schools and then moved to Rocky Boy where he was currently enrolled in High School.

Shalako enjoyed the outdoors, hunting, fishing. He was artistically talented in drawingand music. He was an excellent rapper and made his own CD’s. He loved to listen to music and enjoyed sparring with his friends. Shalako always had a smile and he told everyone “I love you”.He was always there when you needed him.

He was preceded in death by his parents, maternal and paternal grandparents, uncles: Allen Potter, Robert St. Marks, Kenny St. Marks and Sam St. Marks; and his cousin Eddie LaMere.
Shalako is survived by his siblings, brothers: Joshuah Randa; Travis St. Marks; Ryan Barnhart; Richie St. Marks; A.J. Potter and Joe St. Marks, Jr. Sisters: Alissa Randa; Shaylee St. Marks; Jerilynn Dicki; Heather Gardipee; Rochell Morrow; Dee St. Marks and Tia St. Marks all of Rocky Boy, Montana. Grandfather: Sammy Courchane of Rocky Boy, Montana. Aunts and Uncles: DeNise (Lyndon) Billy; Lois Potter; Dennis (Wanda) St. Marks; Nina St. Marks; Alex St. Marks; Bill (Dawn) St. Marks; Richard St. Marks; Patrick St. Marks; Patricia St. Marks; William Clark St. Marks; Anna Big Bow; Mary Ann (Wilford) Gladue; Letta Potter and Jim (Judy) Potter all of Rocky Boy, Montana. Numerous cousins, nieces, nephews and many friends.

Elmina Sue Eagleman-Pete   Dec 18, 1992 - Sept. 13, 2009

Elmina Sue Eagleman-Pete, 16, died Sunday, September 13, 2009 at the Northern Montana Hospital. Elmina was born December 18,1992 in Havre Montana, to Glenda Eagleman and Cyr Pete. She was raised and educated in Rocky Boy. Elmina was a friendly young girl who made friends wherever she went. She liked to listen to music, visit with her friends and family, attend powwow, surf the internet and was an excellent photographer.

She was proceeded in death by her many Aunts, Uncles, and Maternal and Paternal Grandparents.

Elmina is survived by her parents: Mother, Glenda Eagleman of Rocky Boy and father Cyr Pete of Yakima Nation, Wa. Her sisters Mercedes Pete Cyrayah Pete, bother of Yakima Nation; Brothers Ira and Issac Wells, both of Rocky Boy, and Alex Pete of Yakima Nation. Great Grandmother Barbara Eagleman and Great Grandfather Glenn Eagleman, both of Rocky Boy, and Grandmother Leona Gopher of Wapato, WA.

Jennifer Cherie Big Knife   Jan. 19, 1983 - Aug. 25, 2009   

 Jennifer Cherie Big Knife, 26, died Tuesday evening August 25, 2009 at the Northern Montana Hospital of natural causes. Her wake service will begin at 7 p.m. this evening at the Joe Big Knife residence in Rocky Boy and continuing through Friday at the Rocky Boy Lutheran Church. Her funeral service will be 10 a.m. Saturday at the Rocky Boy Lutheran Church with Linda Webster officiating. Burial will follow at the Big Knife Family Ranch.  

Jennifer was born January 9, 1983 in Havre, Montana to Taylor and Betty (Meyers) Big Knife. She was raised and educated in Rocky Boy and graduated from Rocky Boy High School in 2002. Jennifer worked as a sales clerk, an aide at Rocky Boy Headstart and as a Wellness Assistant. She was a very caring young lady who loved taking care of all animals, especially horses, cats and dogs. She enjoyed spending time with her family especially her nieces, nephews and friends. She enjoyed drawing and placing entries in her daily journal. She also liked music and playing video games.  

She was preceded in death by her Grandmother Nancy Meyers, Sister Sara Big Knife, Aunt Karen Knife and numerous family and relatives. 

She is survived by her Parents, mother Betty (Mark) Collins of Rocky Boy, Montana; father Taylor (Roberta) Big Knife of Rocky Boy, Montana. Grandparents Joe (Roberta) Big Knife and Grandfather John G. Meyers. Sisters: Sheryl Fabrizius of Riverton, WY; Rae Lee Big Knife and Teisha Big Knife both of Rocky Boy, Montana. Brothers: Bobby Big Knife; Virgil Big Knife; Mark Collins, Jr; John Collins and Clayton Big Knife all of Rocky Boy, Montana. Numerous Aunts, Uncles, Cousins and Friends.

John Edward Rock   05/15/1945 - 09/22/2009

ROCKY BOY - John Edward Rock, 64, of Rocky Boy passed away on August 22, 2009. John, who enjoyed drawing, stickgame, bingo and listening to his pow wow music, died of natural causes Saturday at a Great Falls Hospital.
 

A traditional Native American wake was held at the Rocky Boy Catholic Church. Services were at 10 a.m. today at the church, with burial in Rocky Boy Cemetery. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home of Havre is in charge of arrangements.
 

Survivors included brothers Elbert Rock, Richard Rock, Rusty Gopher and Robert Gopher; sisters Emma Rock, Kathleen Gopher, Linda Gopher and Lanna Cheppewa; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

MaryAnn Whitford   

ROCKYBOY - MaryAnn (Flammond) Whitford, 82, of Rock Boy, who enjoyed listening to country tunes, camping, riding her exercise bike and devoting more time to her family and friends, died of natural causes on August 22, 2009, at the family home in Rocky Boy.
 

A wake will be held at Eagle Shield Center in Browning, with a rosary service at 7 p.m. Monday. Funeral services are 10 a.m. Tuesday at the center. Cremation will take place after services. Committal of ashes will be held at a later time at Rocky Boy. Holland Bonine Funeral Home of Havre is in charge of arrangements.
 

Survivors include daughters Linda Gonsalez of Rocky Boy, D.A. Harwood of Havre, Hoot Miller of Browning, Tracy Galbreath of Cut Bank, Marion Whitford of Babb, Twila Herrera of Rockyboy, Sheri Blackweasel of Browning, Kim Henderson of Havre, Jodi Juneau of Billings and Nichole Whitford of Havre; sons Kit Whitford and Sam Whitford of Babb, Peter Whitford of Cut Bank and Larry Whitford of Harlem; 33 grandchildren and 59 great-grandchildren.
 

She was preceded in death by her husband of over 54 years, Henry Whitford of Rocky Boy; sons Blue Whitford and Les Whitford; and a great-grandchild.

Notice: If family members would like to place a remembrance, add to the obituary, or post a notice of upcoming honoring's and feasts, please send info to cct_web@yahoo.com.