Obituary - Cynthia May Schmockel

Cynthia May Schmockel of Havre, Montana, a member of the Chippewa Cree Tribe, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Monday June 6, 2016.

Cynthia was born May 18, 1957 in Fort Belknap to Richard Schmockel and Theresa Small. She was raised and attended schools in Havre. As one of the younger children of a family of seven she was a fierce protector of her family and stood up for what she believed in. She learned from her father to be independent, self-sufficient, and to always take care of her children. Cynthia was an extremely giving person and was always there for others to lean on.

After high school she attended college at Dawson Community College in Glendive, Montana, and later at Williston State College in North Dakota.

She met and married Frank Nelson in August 1988. They raised two beautiful children together.

She loved her family and enjoyed attending her children and grandchildren's school and sporting events. Cynthia was an amazing cook and hosted Sunday dinners for her family complete with homemade apple pie. She made delicious lemon meringue pie every Thanksgiving.

Cynthia was a hard worker all of her life but her favorite job was a school bus driver. She was proud to be a part of a women's outreach group that visited the Montana State Women's Prison in Billings and was an active union member.

Cynthia is survived by her daughter, Tanya Schmockel of Rocky Boy; sons, Richard Schmockel (Melynda Werk) and Manny Duran Jr., both of Rocky Boy; sisters Sharon Schmockel of Havre, Marcella (Scott) Knaub of Lodge Grass, Montana; her brother Bill Schmockel of Havre; grandchildren, Klay (Natalia), Kyrie and Kadyn "Manzez" Duran, Jessie and Mya Schmockel; and great grandchild, Kailoni Duran.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Theresa Small and Richard Schmockel; her husband, Frank Nelson; her sister Joanne Williams; and brothers Leland and Joe Arkinson.

Services are to be held Thursday June 9, 2016, at the Havre Assembly of God Church in Havre at 10 a.m. with burial and luncheon to follow.