Obituary - Kenneth S. Gardipee

"The Legend"

Kenneth S. Gardipee, aka Ken, 56, of Rocky Boy, passed away on Thursday, July 31, 2015, at Benefis Medical Center in Great Falls of natural causes. Wake services began at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 30, 2015, at the Old Stone Child College Gymnasium, and continued at the old Senior Citizens Center until 3 p.m. on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2015, when he was moved to St. Anthony's Catholic Church in Box Elder. His Rosary was held at 7 p.m. on Sunday, also at St. Anthony's, where he would 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 went on to attend, Haskell University. 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 then worked for the Chippewa Cree Tribal Courts for a while. He then married Sherrie Estell and later, divorced. Later, he married, the love of his life, Estella Sandoval in 1996, and their union was blessed with two children and four stepdaughters. Kenny worked as a tribal judge for over 12 years, leaving in 2004, and continued his education. He graduated from Stone Child College with his associate degree in Native American Studies in 2006, and from Montana State University-Northern with his bachelor's degree in community service in 2008. He then went to work at Stone Child College as the program coordinator for teacher's education.

Kenny enjoyed fishing, playing poker and keno machines, camping and reading. He adored his family and his grandchildren and was very proud of his heritage, sharing it with his loving family and friends. He loved driving his truck around and visiting. He loved teasing and laughing with everybody he came in contact with. He always gave them a handshake and a smile. He was the most giving and humble man. He instilled this into his children to always be kind and to help when needed and give as much as you can, whether it be helping out the community, and to always live in the moment. He adored his children and all their company. He especially loved spending time with his wife, Estella Ojeda. He loved Christmas time. He would give a random gift to his sons-in-law, but this taught them to enjoy the simplest things in life, like sunglasses, a pocket knife and so forth. He had an amazing, genuine soul. At the current time before he passed, he would spend most his evenings with Baby Leo Coffee. He would chase him around and match his energy. He was a Denver Broncos fan and never gave up on them and finally witnessed his team win the Super Bowl. Go Broncos. He bled Orange and Blue. He loved football and watching his grandsons play with the Box Elder Bears. He loved going to basketball games and all sporting events to support his grandchildren. He loved sports. He also loved watching sports on television.

Kenny was preceded in death by his mother, Rena Gardipee; his sister-in-law, Brenda Gardipee; Auntie, Sybil Sangrey-Colliflower; uncle Robert "Bobby" Gardipee; best friend, Joe Cambell Jr .; and his stepmother, Kathy Windy Boy.

He is survived by his wife, Estella Gardipee of Rocky Boy; his sons, Kenneth SW Gardipee and Kane Gardipee, both of Rocky Boy; his daughters, Nicole Gardipee (Nolan Parker), Rochel Gardipee, Ramona (Garcia) Gardipee-Duran, Madalyn (Sheldon Coffee) Gardipee, Dorrina Ojeda, (Shane Patascil) and Moriah Ojeda, all of Rocky Boy, Corrina (Joe Sanchez) Ojeda Sanchez of Gilroy, California, and Denise (Joey Larocca) Ojeda Larocca, of Spokane, Washington; his grandchildren, Josiah and Natessa Parker, Slayte, Seth and Sylas Duran, Ashlee and Katelyn Gardipee, Leo and Lennis Coffee, Fabian Saddler Jr. aka JuJu, Rose Ann Saddler, Mia Ojeda, Ezmralada Sanchez, Zoey Sanchez, Lawrence Morsette and Ezra and Angel Larocca, and Isiah Murie, Shania Patascil, Shane Patascil Jr., and Sayi Patacsil; his great-granddaughter Bobbi Sue Parker; his father, 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 Grandma Minnie Sangrey; his best friends, Richard Schmockel and Mary Lou Rosette; and numerous beloved aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and many friends.