Obituary - Charlotte Marie Kelley

With profound sadness we announce the loss of Charlotte Marie Kelley, our loving and devoted mother, wife and friend. She died unexpectedly on June 20, 2024, while traveling with her friend Rose to the Gathering of Eagles Indigenous Conference in Oregon, Wisconsin.

Mom was born December 7, 1938 (85) to Dora and Raymond Helgeson in Lodge Pole, MT. She was given the name Holding the Flag Woman (Tícewaknaga yuzá wiya) by her grandparents, Spirit Boy and Shiny Horn, at a New Year's Eve Indian Dance. She was an enrolled member of the Assiniboine (Nakoda) tribe and belonged to the Medicine Bear Clan, Prairie Canoe Paddlers Band. She grew up on the Helgeson Ranch at Brown's Creek as the oldest of six siblings. Raymond Allen "Oakie," Bonita, Mary, Leon "Chick," Gene and Kenneth "Gus." She loved going home to visit, participate in celebrations, and mourn the losses of family and relatives.

Mom was raised in Lodge Pole until she went to Flandreau Indian Boarding School in South Dakota. She always said her years there were good. She loved school, her teachers and all the lifelong friends she met.

After graduating, she moved to Great Falls and worked at the Deaconess Hospital, where a nun encouraged her to pursue a nursing degree. She graduated from Columbus School of Nursing, College of Great Falls. She was one of the first of many from Fort Belknap who completed the program. During this time, she married her first husband, Irwin Boyd Burtch from Dodson, MT. They had three children before he passed away in 1964.

Mom went to work at Fort Belknap Indian Health Service as a nurse.

In 1966, she married Swede Quam, and had a daughter. They divorced. As a single mom of four children, she surrounded herself with family and friends that helped her care for them. Alvina Allen and June Bracey, single moms and coworkers, all banded together to raise all of their kids.

In 1971, Dr. James Kelley started working at IHS where he met mom. Their friendship grew into a relationship, and they married in 1973. During this time, she moved to Bozeman, MT, to finish her Bachelor of Nursing at Montana State University. They moved the new family to San Bernadino California. While he worked at the hospital, she worked as a Public Health Nurse for the County of San Bernadino Health Department.

After two years, the family moved to Havre, MT. They lived and worked in Havre for 30 years until moving to Helena in 2003. Mom was a Health Coordinator for HeadStart, American Indian Care Coordinator, and Home Health Program Manager for Northern Montana Hospital.

In 2003, they made their home in Helena. Mom started a new job with the state working for DPHHS Montana Breast and Cervical Health Program. She traveled the state going to all the reservations. Whenever she could, she would travel in the country and out of the country. She was able to see many different places, meet new people and immerse herself in other cultures. She loved her culture, reading, quilting, football, socializing with friends, bible study, helping others. She was an amazing woman, full of grace, wisdom and love in abundance to all. She lived a wonderful life surrounded by family and friends.

Mom was involved in American Cancer Society-education/fundraising, Reach for Tomorrow Board mentoring girls, Liturgy Council at Saint Jude's Church, Regional Community Health Board and Institutional Review Board of Benefis Hospital in Great Falls, Southwest Education Development Laboratory promoting education for minority children through better prepared teachers and parents, and the Salvation Army Board in Havre. She belonged to the American Association of University Women, Philanthropic Educational Organization, and Northwest Kateri Indian Ministry.

She is survived by her husband, Dr. James Kelley; her children Sandra (Bob), Boyd, Carol (Robin) Patricia. Six grandchildren Jordan (Tina), Elizabeth, William (Renatta), Amber, Kathryn (Tyson), Madison (Brandon), and her nine great-grandchildren who she loved immensely; her siblings Mary, Leon "Chick," Kenneth "Gus;" she had a special connection with nephew Kenneth "Tuffy" Helgeson; ss well as numerous nieces, nephews and friends!

She is preceded in death by her parents, Raymond and Dora (First Chief) Helgeson; her first husband, Irwin Boyd Burtch; her sister Bonita Olney, her brothers Raymond Allen "Oakie" and Gene Helgeson.

Requests for donations can be made to her charities listed or to a charity of your choice.

Services for Charlotte were prayer service at 10 a.m. Thursday, June 27, 2024, at St. Jude Catholic Church with Father Pete Guthneck officiating. Her wake service began at 3 p.m. Thursday at the Enemy Kills At Night Center in Lodge Pole and continued until her traditional funeral service 10 a.m. Friday, June 28, 2024.

Her burial followed at the Lodge Pole Cemetery where she will be laid to rest by her parents.

Please visit Charlotte's online memorial to send a card or leave a message of condolence for her family at https://www.hollandbonine.com .