Gardipee Duran, 45, passed away Saturday, July 4, 2026, in Rocky Boy surrounded by her family. Her wake service will begin, Monday, July 6, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church for two days with her funeral service 10 a.m. Wednesday, and burial to follow at the Gardipee Family Cemetery.

 Ramona Sue Gardipee was born to Carla and Kenneth S. (Gardipee) Striker on February 21, 1981, in Havre, MT. She was raised in Rocky Boy and graduated from Box Elder High School in 1999. She attended college at MSU-Northern where she graduated with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Health Promotion and a double minor in Business Technology and Small Business Management. She met Garcia Duran and they dated until they later married on July 20, 2002, and the couple made their home in Rocky Boy where they raised their three sons. They divorced in 2025. Ramona worked for over ten years at the Rocky Boy Health Board and at the Chippewa Cree Wellness Center as their Division Chief. She held numerous positions within the tribe. She helped to establish the boys and girls club in Box Elder providing a safe environment for children. She enjoyed working with children and spending time with her sons and her grandchildren. Ramona didn’t let much keep her down she was a Stage 4 Breast Cancer Survivor and had a strong determination for life.

She was preceded in death by her father Kenneth Stanley Gardipee, grandparents; Stanley Gardipee, Rena Gardipee, Irene Belcourt, Carl Sangrey (Bear), Carl Morsette (Moonie), nephews; Shawn Saddler Jr, Ryan Foursouls, and her grandbaby.

Ramona is survived by Carla Striker, John Striker, Jr., Slayte “Kendra” Duran, and his stepchildren: Kayden, Kianna, Katalaya, Kamiah, Khymira. Seth “Persja” Duran, and their

children: Hailey, Araya. Sylas “Harmony” Duran. Siblings: Nicole Gardipee, son; Joe, Bobbi Sue daughter; Natessa. Rochel Gardipee, Kenneth Gardipee, his daugthers Ashlee and Katelyn Gardipee, sister; Madalyn “Guy” Murphy her children; Leo and Lenny Coffee, Jo’Ann Bull and Guy Murphy Jr. and Kane Gardipee, Stepsisters; Dorrina and Moriah Ojeda, Corrina Chapa and Denise LaRocca and Numerous Aunts Uncles, Cousins, Nieces and Nephews.

Pallbearers; George “JO” Henderson Jr, Scotty Henderson, Larry Jay Meyers Sr, Mike Belcourt, Carlos Swan and John Striker Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers; Ramona’s close friends and family.