CAROLINE NEZ PERCE obituary

HAYS Caroline Germaine Nez Perce, 76, died Thursday, Feb. 1, 2007, at Billings Deaconess Hospital due to complications from diabetes.

Her funeral Mass was scheduled for 11 a.m. today in St. Paul's Catholic Church with burial following in the Mission Cemetery. A wake began Sunday afternoon at the Mission Recreation Center with rosary recited at 7 p. m. Caroline was born on September 25, 1930 at Fort Belknap Agency, Montana, to Joseph Nez Perce and Annie (Snow) Nez Perce. Caroline grew up in the old Hays area with her Uncle Raymond Nez Perce, who was the same age and like a brother to her. She graduated from Flandreau Indian High School in Flandreau, S. D., and attended Haskell Junior College for one year. Caroline married Frank Merle Skinner in her early 20s and had two children. She later entered into a common-law marriage with Edgar Shambo and they had three children. She moved to Oakland, Calif., in 1959 and lived there for approximately three years. She later moved to Hays and had a son. She also lived in Billings for a couple years and Harlem for a year. In 1968, she made her home in Billings to make a better life for her family. She graduated from the Billings Business College and worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs for a time. She later worked for Indian Health Service, where she worked for most of her career in procurement. She retired in 1994. Caroline enjoyed her life in Billings, and every weekend she could be seen wheeling and dealing at her favorite hobby garage sales. Caroline enjoyed traveling and visiting with family and friends. She also loved to bowl and bowled until she was no longer able to participate in the sport. She was very proud of her bowling achievements and especially proud of the bowling trophy her team won at the BIA bowling tournament in 1978. Survivors include her sister, Luella Werk of Hays; brother, Dennis Nez Perce of Billings; uncle, Moses Nez Perce of Hays; children, Francis (J'Shon) Skinner of Fort Belknap Agency, Cheryl (Doug) Schmidt of Portland, Ore., Stuart “Squeak” (Debbie) Nez Perce of Billings, Ina (Raymond) Nez Perce Chandler of Fort Belknap, Genevieve “Gevi” (Lenny) Nez Perce Weaving of Havre, Jaime Nez Perce of New Rockford, N.D., Neil Skinner of Portland, Ore., Robyn Roberson of Big Lagoon, Calif.; adopted son, Manuel Camarillo; 13 grandchildren; 14 great-grandchildren; special niece sister, Donna Boyer of Billings; special cousin brother, James Snow II of Hays; numerous nieces and nephews; and special nieces, Carla Brien of Billings, Diane Werk of Fort Belknap, Lila Werk of Havre and Anna Faye Werk of Hays. Caroline was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Annie (Snow) Nez Perce; three baby brothers; uncles, Raymond, James and Leo; aunts, Cecelia, Martha, Mary and Katie; grandparents, Pete and Katie Long Horse; and common-law husband, Edgar Shambo. Arrangements are by Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook.