Obituary - LoyGene 'Canúba Sabá' Molina

On the peaceful night of August 1, 2021, LoyGene "Canúba Sabá" Molina was called home to the spirit world.

Loy was born on the sunny spring morning of April 15, 2003, to Lionel Molina and Gina Rae Helgeson.

LoyGene had an old soul from the time he was a toddler, you could often hear an Inkdomi story being told by a 4-year-old Loy. Throughout LoyGene's toddler years he became especially close with his Grandmother Florence, the start of a lifelong best friendship.

  LoyGene's educational journey began at Three Strikes Head Start in Lodgepole, MT. He attended Lodgepole Elementary until the end of third grade, spending fourth and fifth grades in Harlem Elementary. In the sixth grade, LoyGene returned to Lodgepole finishing his junior high and high school years at Hays-Lodgepole Junior-Senior High School. LoyGene was a part of the 2021 Hays-Lodgepole High School graduating class. LoyGene participated in and found enjoyment in football, track and speech and debate while in high school. LoyGene was the 2018 Class C speech and debate state champion. In 2019 Loy completed the Yellowstone Youth Corp Camp.

LoyGene was described as having a kind, loving heart; this proved to be true as he left each of us better than he found us. LoyGene's sanctuary was his grandparents Gus and Florence's house down the coulee where he could almost always be found, hanging out with the old folks and Weez the cat.

At the young age of 18, LoyGene held so much wisdom, he wasn't a man of many words but when he did speak you could expect to laugh or learn something new. LoyGene carried himself in the most humblest of ways, shining his light everywhere he went. Of all the things LoyGene was in this life, he took the most pride in being Nakoda. LoyGene's true enjoyment came from attending ceremonies with all those he called family. June of 2021 LoyGene completed his first year of dancing in the Big Lodge. LoyGene held many things close to his heart including his family, his culture and his way of life. 

At the time of his passing LoyGene was employed at Red Paint Creek and enrolled at Aaniiih Nakoda College, chasing his dreams of becoming a Park Ranger; he was truly one with nature.

  LoyGene leaves behind his grandparents Gus and Florence Helgeson; his parents, Lionel Molina and Gina Rae Helgeson; adopted mother, Shylo Main (his black mom); his brothers Lex (Marina) Helgeson of Havre, Marquis Molina of Sacramento, CA, Thomas (Ella) Molina of Hays, MT and his only sister, Kateri (Kyra) Molina of Harlem, MT; his aunts and uncles Yvonee Molina, Barney Molina (Duma), Valerie Molina, Delaine DeMontiney,  John DeMontiney, Ted (Roxann)DeMontiney; nephews, Grayson James Helgeson and Maz Wanapi Molina and a niece, Kyler BigKnife; numerous grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and lifelong friends.

LoyGene "Canúba Sabá" Molina is preceded in death by maternal great-grandparents, Raymond and Dora Helgeson and Cecelia and Paul Violett; paternal great-grandparents, Thomas and Rose Saddler; maternal grandparents, Gene and Nancy Helgeson, paternal grandmother Helen Molina and paternal grandfather Louis "Walkie" Sutherland; uncles George Molina and Hunter Straight and Thane Helgeson.