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Sharon Raelyn DuMontier – Rae, age 45 of St. Ignatius, peacefully passed away Wednesday May 12, 2021 after a courageous battle with cancer. Surrounded by her son Zach, her beloved Chris, and her mother Nadeen, she took her first steps into the embrace of past loved ones who prepared for her a place next to them in heaven to watch over family who wait to be reunited with her.
Raelyn was born on Monday November 24, 1975 to Kenny and Nadeen DuMontier at Holy Family Hospital in St. Ignatius, Montana. She was a member of the Crow Tribe and descendent of the CSKT. They lived in Mission but went to live with Papa Bud and Granny Bernie in Dixon Agency. Rae went to school in Dixon Elementary until she graduated 8th grade. She then started high school at Mission High School, where she graduated in ’94. During her high school days Raelyn joined Upward Bound where she made friendships that lasted throughout her life. Her sophomore year she was given the opportunity to attend Earth Ambassador training in Minneapolis MN. She took the train over the whole way and was travelling alone. To her that was a thrilling adventure and I’m sure helped her with being the independent person she turned out to be. She was proud of both of those experiences. During her junior year in ’93 she gave birth to the love of her life Zachary Dean DuMontier. She adored him and worked hard every day to provide a life for him. Rae worked at Doug Allards Museum and Gift Shop while she attended school at Salish Kootenai College. Later she left Allards to be at SKC full time. She began her SKC employment with Upward Bound. Raelyn ended up graduating with an Associates degree in Information Technologies. She continued to work at SKC in the enrollment office, her last job being Director of Admissions. She knew that office so well that most students felt comfortable coming to her for help in anything they needed, being financial aid, scholarships, admissions etc. or if they just needed a listening ear. She was proud to be the person that students relied on. Raelyn often told us the students were the best part of her job. After 17 years at SKC she started at St. Luke Community Healthcare. She liked working in the same setting and definitely liked working with her coworkers.
Raelyn met her beloved Chris Muffitt in September 2011. They made their home in St. Ignatius MT. They adopted a black lab named Jozee “Jozee Whales”.Chris and Raelyn had an adventurous and loving relationship. They went on trips, to small towns around home or to other states. They’ve been to Vegas, Seattle, San Francisco, and he even met her down in Nashville TN when she was on a training. Chris joined the St. Ignatius Volunteer Fire Department and soon after Raelyn had joined also. She was very proud when she became a full fledge volunteer first responder and received her coat with ‘DUMONTIER’ on the front.
There were so many things that Rae loved doing, and she was not afraid to try new things. Some of the things she enjoyed doing was bingo, zumba, dancing, karaoke, crafting, beading and thrift store shopping with her mother and sisters. Rae loved being with her son and nephews playing games, taking them anywhere and everywhere. She was fun-loving, caring, fearless, quick-witted, funny, and so creative. She had a memorable laugh and smile. But if you got on her bad side, watch out! Family was a number one priority to her. She always made sure that everyone’s needs were met before her own.
Raelyn is preceded in death by her brother Christopher DuMontier; her grandfathers, Joseph “Bud” DuMontier, Oliver “Sonny” Hugs and James Bundy; great grandfather, Don Barragan; grandmothers Sharon Hanks, Delores “Deedo” DuMontier; great grandmothers, Maxine Barragan and Winona Plenty Hoops; Uncle/brother, Joseph “Joey” DuMontier; Aunts, Ranae Hoskins and Raelyn Ducept; Uncles, Gary Hugs, Franklin Plenty Hoops, Truman Jefferson, Riley Owens, and Eymard Lefthand; Apsaalooke brothers, Cedric “Big Boy” Hugs Jr., Terrell “Brother” Hugs, Courtney Hugs, and Robert “Fab” Hugs.
Survivors include her son Zachary Dean; her beloved Chris; parents, Kenny & Nadeen DuMontier; Grandmother, Patricia Bundy; Sisters Desiree’ (Josh) DuMontier, Eliza (Beau) Bishop; Brother, Justin DuMontier; Nephews, Isaac, Quentin, Braeden & Colton DuMontier, Russell & Morgan Schultz; Nieces, Elena, Annalysia, Gracie DuMontier; Aunts, Dalene (David) Gardipe, LeEllen & Royelle Bundy, Sarah Hugs, Deanna Owens, Erlis (Johnny) Harjo, and Sandy Bird; Uncles Ed (Mona) Ducept, Cedric Hugs, Oliver “Hovey” Hugs, Robert Hugs, and Marvin Stops. Her and Chris’ family, mother Melanie Boharski; Father, Dave Bergei; Stepfather, Mike Boharski; Brother, Ryan (Rachel)Boharski; Sisters, Morgan (Matias)Boharski-Martinez, Katie and Julia Boharski; Niece, Rosie Martinez. Plus, other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends that are too numerous to mention.
A wake was held in St. Ignatius with the funeral service held at the Community Center on Monday, May 17, 2021 at 1p.m. Pallbearers were, Justin DuMontier, Isaac DuMontier, Quentin DuMontier, Jarvis Ashley, Jason Courville, Jimmy Ray O’Neill, Nic Stasso and Willy Long. Honorary pallbearers, St. Ignatius Volunteer Fire Department.
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