Rema Lydia Chiefstick, "Keeper of the Rocky Mountain Gate Woman", 83, passed away due to natural causes at Northern Montana Hospital on Saturday, January 17, 2026.  Wake services will begin at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, January 19, 2026, and will continue until her traditional funeral service, which will be at 10:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, all at Our Saviour's Lutheran Church with Gordon Gray officiating.  Holland & Bonine Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements.

Lydia was born on May 5, 1942, in North Battleford, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Stone and Emma Lightfoot.  She was raised in Saskatchewan until she was 10, at which time the family moved to Rocky Boy where Lydia attended Haystack Day School.  In 1959, she married John Chiefstick, Sr., gaining 2 children and having 12 more.  Over the years, Lydia tended her home and cared for her family.

Lydia was a kind and gentle woman of great inner strength who enjoyed picking sweetgrass and juneberries, beading, reading, and making quilts.  She was quite friendly to all and loved spending time with her ever-growing family.

She was preceded in death by her husband, John Chiefstick, Sr.; daughters, Jonna Jan, Corrina, and Claudine Chiefstick; sons, Jonathan and John Chiefstick, Jr.; grandsons, Kiel Gray, Terrance Chiefstick, Richard Rowen, and Alden Deroin; granddaughter, Danielle Chiefstick; parents, Emma Lightfoot and Stone; and numerous other relatives.

Lydia is survived by her children, Vincent Chiefstick of Hobbema, Alberta, Canada, Tina , Leona, and Jason Chiefstick, all of Rocky Boy, Sherry (Holystar Fish) and Sirena Chiefstick, all of Browning, Jacqueline Chiefstick of Rocky Boy, and Justin (Wahben Wolfrobe) Chiefstick of Stillwater, Oklahoma; numerous grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sisters, Sarah Lightfoot of Havre and Marina Chiefstick of Island Park, ID; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and other extended family and friends in the United States and Canada.