Kathie M. Hawley, 71, passed away due to natural causes at Billings Clinic on Monday, June 20, 2022.  Wake services will begin at 5:00 p.m. and her Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., all on Thursday, June 23, 2022.  Her funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Friday, June 24, 2022.  All services will be held in the St. Paul Mission.  Burial will follow in the Hawley Ranch Family Cemetery, and a feed will be held immediately following the burial.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Kathie Mary Hawley, "Turnip Digger", 'íik'a kɔθɔhaaak'i, was born February 27, 1951, to David and Virginia Hawley in Fort Belknap, Mt. Kathie spent most of her youth in Old Hays and the Old Chandler place where she was raised alongside her Chandler family. Kathie graduated high school at the Mission High School and attended college at Northern Montana College where she graduated with her Bachelor of Arts in Childhood Education in 1988. Kathie taught at Harlem Public Schools. Kathie also was on the Tribal Health Board and the first Board of Trustees for the Fort Belknap College. She married Clifford Limpy, Sr. in 1974, and they had three children before later divorcing.  Kathie met Mike Cliff, and together they had a son.  She later married Donald Shortman, and they were married until he passed away in 2013.

Kathie selflessly dedicated 19 years to her daycare and fostering children in need in Ft. Belknap. She spent the last 11 years enjoying her time with her family, working as a substitute teacher at Colstrip Public Schools, part-time chef at Colstrip Senior Center, traveling, sewing, and dancing at powwows when she felt good.  Kathie was also an avid concert goer with her god-daughter Sara and attended Hank Williams Jr.

She was preceded in death by her late husband, Donald Shortman; parents; adopted mother, Rose Connor; brothers, David A. Hawley, Ronald Hawley, Raymond Chandler Sr., and Philip "Knobby" Stiffarm; sisters, Sylvia Hawley, Gloria Jean Hawley, and Linda "Susie" Chandler;  granddaughter, Tianna Cliff; and grandson, Kale Steven Cliff.

Kathie is survived by her children, Cheyenne (Neil) Tallbull, Jeremy (Lindsay HappyJack-Smoke) Limpy, Mena Limpy, Chad Cliff, and Jason Cliff; grandchildren, Chad Cliff, Jr., Tyra Limpy, Raven Limpy, Kara (Coby Smith) Limpy, Michaela Eagle Bear, Zander Tallbull, Tamira Cliff, Roan Tallbull, Sundown Goings, Taniya Cliff, Tristan Cliff, and Kale'n-Inkdomi Cliff; great-grandchild, Amiyah Rae Limpy Smith; brothers, Vincent "Poncho" Hawley, Francis "Cisco" (Francine) Hawley, Glen Hawley, Craig Chandler, George Chandler, Jr., and Dan Williams; sisters, Elouise Geiser, Judy Ashton, Sharon Hawley, Nadine (Terrance "Booman") Jackson, Kristal (Jim) Fox, Penny Chandler, and Carol Chandler; the Aragon family; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.  She is also survived by her lifelong friends, Katherine Fox and Patty Addy, and her god-children, Sara, Charlie, and Stan Hawley, and Donna Quincy.

The family would like to thank the following individuals and facilities for their care of Kathie and their continued love and support – Dr. Aster Berhane, Heather Black, RN at NCSU, Walt & Claudia Cournoyer, Debbie Iversen, Triena Warfield, and the Billings Clinic Medical Staff.