Ted Demontiney was born on November 5, 1965, to John Demontiney and Bonita

"Bonnie" Helgeson in Toppenish, Washington. He was raised with love and guidance by

Doug Olney and Bonnie. Ted spent his early years in Wapato, Washington, where he

attended elementary school, joined the boxing club, and played football.

In 1980, Ted moved to Hays-Lodgepole to live with his grandparents, Raymond and

Dora Helgeson. There, he discovered his love for basketball and excelled on the court,

earning All-State honors. He graduated from Hays-Lodgepole High School in 1984 and

later attended Montana State University–Northern, where he studied Auto Body Repair.

Not long after, Ted met the love of his life, Roxanne Denny. Together they built a strong

and loving home, raising six children: Joscayne, Dawson, Makray, Sydalia, Sequoia,

and Armahni. Everything Ted did was for his family, and they were always at the center

of his life.

In 1992, Ted began logging, and just two years later he established his own company,

D's Logworks. His vision was not only to provide for his family but also to keep timber

revenues local and strengthen the community. "I want to keep the money local and try to

build the community," he once said. Over nearly three decades, he managed and

harvested beetle-killed timber from the Bear Paw Mountains, built signs and fences for

tribal entities and forged lifelong friendships in the process.

Ted believed deeply in living close to the land and using its gifts responsibly. "Mother

Nature gave us this timber. We should be able to build our own homes," he often said.

He lived this belief by designing and building a 4,000-square-foot log home from local

timber. More than just a house, it was a symbol of strength and independence — self-

sustaining and powered entirely by solar panels and a wind turbine atop an 84-foot

tower. Ted explained his choice simply: "We chose solar and wind power as opposed to

the electric bill."

He never forgot the values instilled in him by his grandparents at Fort Belknap. "I

learned how to work and respect people and help people from my grandparents," Ted

reflected. These lessons guided his life as a provider, community leader, and role

model.

After retiring from the logging industry, Ted continued his dedication to his people by

serving on the Chippewa Cree Tribal Business Committee, where he worked

tirelessly to support the community he loved. He also found peace in the mountains,

harvesting nature's bounty to provide for his family.

Ted taught his sons the values of hard work, responsibility, and being providers, while

showing his daughters unconditional love, care, and protection. His grandchildren

brought him immeasurable joy, and he treasured every moment with them.

Above all, Ted will be remembered as a devoted husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother, and

leader. His departure leaves a deep void in the lives of his family, friends, and

community, but his words, values, and example will live on in all those who had theprivilege to know him.

Ted is survived by his wife of 40 years Roxann, children, Ricky, Joscayne, Dawson, Makray, Sydalia, Sequoia, and Armahni siblings, Emma Jane (John) LaVallie, Glennwood, WA; Delaine Demontiney Yakama, WA; Lionel Molina Havre, MT; Rose (Mike) Dove, Centerville (WA), Doug Jr. (Chris) Olney, Wapato, WA; Mary Ann (Troy) Frazier, Troucet, WA; John (Cinder) Demontiney, Yakama, WA; Deirdre (Joshua) Fojuwaye, Terrace Heights, WA;  Adopted Parents Ricky and Theda Morsette; Numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and friends.