Irene M. Sunchild, 44, passed away due to natural causes on Wednesday, March 29, 2017, at Benefis Medical Center in Great Falls.  Wake services will begin at 3:00 p.m. on Thursday, March 30, 2017, and will continue until her traditional funeral service, which will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, March 31, 2017, all at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church in Rocky Boy.  Burial will follow in the Rocky Boy Cemetery.

Irene was born on June 1, 1972, in Havre to Bruce and Valerie (Anderson) Sunchild.  She was raised in Rocky Boy, attending Rocky Boy schools.  Following high school graduation, she attended Stone Child College for a time. In the late 1980's, Irene married Sheldon Stanley, and in 1991, the couple had a daughter.

She then went to work for Headstart, where she worked for a while before moving on to the position of Community Health Representative at the Rocky Boy Clinic, where she worked until her death.

Irene a very traditional woman who loved to spend time with her grandson Dayson and her mom Valerie Sunchild.  She enjoyed crafting, beading, sewing, and visiting the elders.

Irene was preceded in death by her grandparents; her sister Sonya Sunchild; her uncles, John "Roddy" Sunchild, Ned Sunchild, Ronnie Anderson, Ervin Anderson, and Keith Anderson; and her aunts, Evelyn Eagleman and Dorothy Small.

She is survived by her husband Sheldon Stanley of Rocky Boy; her daughter Misty Stanley (Lance Belcourt) of Rocky Boy; her grandson Dayson Bruce Belcourt; her parents Bruce and Valerie Sunchild of Rocky Boy; her siblings, Wilford "Huck" Sunchild of Chinook, and Dawn (Juan) Gamble and Bruce (Heather) Sunchild, Jr., all of Rocky Boy; her aunts, Vernice, Karen, Barbara, and Tanya Anderson, Zellah Nault, Irene Mitchell, Helen Parker, and Florence Sunchild; her uncle Ervin Watson; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends.