Kenneth S. Gardipee

Kenneth S. Gardipee, 56, of Rocky Boy, passed away on Thursday, July 3, 2015, at Benefis Medical Center in Great Falls of natural causes. Wake services will begin at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 31, 2015, at the Old Stone Child College Gymnasium, and will continue until 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, when he will be moved to St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Box Elder. His rosary will be held at 7 p.m., on Sunday, also at St. Anthony's, where he will remain until his funeral at 10 a.m. on Monday, Aug. 3, 2015, with Father Pete Guthneck officiating. Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. Please visit Kenny's online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Kenny was born on Feb. 4, 1959, in Fort Belknap to Stanley and Rena (Sangrey) Gardipee. He was raised in Rocky Boy, attended Box Elder schools, and graduated from Box Elder High School in 1977. He married Carla Belcourt in 1977, and the couple's union was blessed with four children. They separated in 1982, and Kenny worked for some time at the old post plant. He married Stella Sandoval in 1996, and their union was blessed with two children. Kenny worked as a tribal judge for over 14 years, leaving in 2004, and continued his education. He graduated from Stone Child College with his associate's degree in Native American Studies in 2006, and from Montana State University-Northern with his bachelor's cegree in community service in 2008. He then went to work at Stone Child College as the program xoordinator for teacher's education.

Kenny enjoyed fishing, playing poker and machines, camping and reading. He adored his family and his grandchildren, and was very proud of his heritage, sharing it with his loving family.

Kenny was preceded in death by his mother Rena Gardipee, and his sister-in-law Brenda Gardipee.

He is survived by his wife, Stella of Rocky Boy; his sons, Kenneth SW Gardipee and Kane Gardipee, both of Rocky Boy; his daughters Nicole Gardipee, Rochel Gardipee, Ramona (Garcia) Gardipee-Duran, Madalyn (Sheldon Coffee) Gardipee, Dorrina Patascil, and Moriah Ojeda, all of Rocky Boy, Corrina Sanchez, Gilroy, California, and Denise Larocca, of Spokane, Washington; his grandchildren, Josiah and Natessa Parker, Slayte, Seth and Sylas Duran, Ashlee & Katelyn Gardipee, and Leo & Lennis Coffee, Fabian Saddler Jr., Rose Ann Saddler, Lawrence Morsette and Ezra and Angel Larocca, and Isiah Murie, Shania Patascil, Shane Patascil Jr., and Sayi Patascil; his great-granddaughter Bobbi Sue Parker; his fathe, Stanley Gardipee; his brothers, Richard "Rick" and Ronnie Gardipee, both of Rocky Boy; his sisters, Susie (Clyde) Werk of Hays and Marissa Gardipee of Rocky Boy; his best friends, Richard Schockel and Mary Lou Rosette; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews and other extended family and friends.