Theresa Elizabeth White Weasel Walker (Chandler) Lamebull
HAYS - Theresa Elizabeth (Chandler) White Weasel Walker Lamebull, 111, of Hays, whose Indian name was "Kills At Night" (BeeKanHay) and who was believed to be the oldest living member of the Gros Ventre tribe, died of natural causes Friday at a Havre hospital.
A wake begins Monday and rosary is 7 p.m. in St. Paul's Catholic Gymnasium in Hays. Funeral Mass is 11 a.m. Tuesday at Saint Paul's Catholic Gymnasium, with burial in Mission Cemetery. Edwards Funeral Home of Chinook is handling arrangements.
Theresa is survived by her children, James (Ann) Walker of Everett, Wash., Theodore Teddy (Mary) Walker of Helena, Raymond (Bonnie) Walker of Salt Lake City, Catherine (George) Cichosz of Hays and Clifford (Judy) Walker of Missoula; one brother, George Chandler of Hays; two special daughters-in-law, Myra Walker of Fort Belknap and Jean LaFrombois of Kent, Wash.; 32 grandchildren, 78 great-grandchildren, 62 great-great-grandchildren.
Theresa went to be with her Lord and Savior on Aug. 11, 2007, at Northern Montana Care Center with many family members by her bedside.
Theresa was born on April 19, 1896, near Hays, to Al Chandler and Catherine White and Yellow Cow. She was the oldest living Gros Ventre. Her Indian name was "Kills At Night," (BeeKanHay). She was raised by her grandmother, Sharp Nose. Later she went to live with her mother and stepfather, White Weasel. She attended school at St. Paul's Mission and Fort Belknap. Theresa married John Walker and out of this union there were 10 children. John and Theresa raised several other children besides their own and raised four grandchildren. John passed away in 1962.
Theresa was a very devout Catholic. She loved Jesus with all her heart. She loved to sew quilts, cook for her family and friends and was known for her great fried potatoes. Theresa loved going to various gatherings such as powwows, basketball games, rodeos, etc. She also took great pride in her big family and dearly loved each of them.
Later in life she married Andrew Lamebull. She always had a little dog that was a constant companion to her. She spoke the Gros Ventre language fluently and was willing to share this knowledge with whoever wanted to learn. She taught the Gros Ventre language with Elmer Main at Fort Belknap College. She even helped develop a Gros Ventre dictionary.
Theresa had many friends throughout her life and everyone that knew her loved her and enjoyed her friendship and jolly laugh. She was featured in the Great Falls Tribune and Billings Gazette more than once. She was a very humble person with a big heart for the hurting.
Mom, grandma, Theresa will be greatly missed by all of her family and friends but her memory will live on in our hearts. We will never forget all that she taught us about life, forgiveness, loving one another and, most of all, serving our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
She was preceded in death by husbands John Walker and Andrew Lamebull; a daughter, Virginia Azure; and sons Charlie, John, Thomas and Henry Walker.