HELEN SHORTMAN obituary

FORT BELKNAP Helen Agnes Shortman, 75, died at the Public Health Service Hospital in Fort Belknap Agency on Friday, Dec. 15, 2006, due to natural causes.

A wake service will begin at 5p. m. today the Red Whip Center. Rosary services will at 7 p.m. on Monday evening. Her funeral Mass service will be held at 11a. m. Tuesday in the Red Whip Center with burial following at the Shortman Family Cemetery at Hays. Helen was born on Nov. 24, 1931, at Fort Belknap Agency to Phillip and Mary (Standing Bear) Shortman. She was raised in the Hays area. She attended schools there and graduated from St. Paul's Mission High School. She attended nursing school at Havre, where she obtained her licensed practical nursing degree. She later attended business school at the College of Great Falls. Her nursing career began as a nurse on June 27, 1967, and she retired on Nov. 28, 1992. Helen dedicated her career to helping the sick in various hospitals where she worked at throughout her career. She worked at the Sacred Heart Hospital in Havre before returning to the Fort Belknap Public Health Service Hospital. Helen enjoyed pow-wows, going to bingo and visiting on the phone with her friends until her health declined. Survivors include her daughter, Cecelia Shortman (Ronald Young Bear) of Fort Belknap; eight grandchildren, Sharae Frost (Tony Matte), Delane Alexander, Gary Stiffarm and Jackie Stiffarm, all of Fort Belknap, Emerson Stiffarm Jr. Of Great Falls, Adeline Stiffarm, Laurie Stiffarm and Sheila Stiffarm, all of Billings; three great-grandchildren; adopted son, Glen Hawley of Chinook; numerous nephews and nieces; brothers, Harold White Clay and Vernon White Clay Jr. Of Crow Agency; sister, Alice Mae LaForge of Crow Agency; adopted sisters, Ola Cochran of Hays, Marlene Stiffarm, Edith Earthboy and Mary Ann “Tinnie” Kezar, all of Fort Belknap. Helen was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Mary Margaret Shortman (twin of Cecelia); brother, Emerson Stiffarm; sisters Theresa Shortman No. 1, Theresa Shortman No. 2, Mae Stiffarm, Cecelia Gardipee; and brothers, Vincent, Tommy, and William Shortman. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home in Chinook.