Obituary - Louis Gardipee

Louis Gardipee, 57, passed away due to natural causes at Billings Clinic on Friday, September 28, 2018.

Wake services began at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, September 30, 2018, and will continue until his traditional funeral service, which will be at 10:00 a.m. today, Monday, October 1, 2018, all at St. Mary's Catholic Church. Burial will follow in the Rocky Boy Cemetery.

Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with services and arrangements.

Please visit Louis' online memorial page and leave a message of condolence for his family at http://www.hollandbonine.com.

Louis was born on August 23, 1961, in Helena to George and Grace (Cross White) Gardipee. He was raised in Helena and Rocky Boy, attending school in Helena. After his high school years, Louis returned to Rocky Boy, where he worked as a firefighter during the season and supplemented his income as a carpenter and mechanic during the off season. In 1982, Louis married Avis Morsette, and the couple had three children whom they raised in Rocky Boy. They divorced in 1993, and he remained in Rocky Boy, working and spending time with his family. In 2008, Louis attended Stone Child College for some time, majoring in liberal arts. In 2015, he moved to Billings, where he remained until his death.

He enjoyed working on cars and spending time with his family. Louis loved to tease those he was close to, and was an active member of the Native American Church. He was proud of his heritage and was very involved in cultural activities, such as ceremonies and sweats. He also loved the outdoors, and everything associated with it.

Louis was preceded in death by his parents, George Gardipee and Grace King; granddaughter Kaphrey Gardipee; sisters Cecelia Sunchild and Bernadette New Breast; and brothers Everett and Leon Gardipee.

He is survived by his children, Jamie (Lonny Henderson) Gardipee of Great Falls, Crystal (Craig Gopher) Gardipee of Rocky Boy, Nathan Morsette of Rocky Boy, Jace Gardipee of New Mexico, and Payge and Grace Raining Bird, both of Rocky Boy; 13 grandchildren; sisters Lorraine "Punkin" Glenn of Helena and Evelyn "Toni" LaMere of Billings; brother Michael "Duke" (Melissa) Gardipee, Sr., of Helena; and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.