Madeline Oats, 84, died Sunday, April 12, 2009, at her home in Parker School.
She passed away surrounded by her grandchildren, whom she loved very much. Her wake service was Monday at the Rocky Boy Senior Center and her funeral service was 10 a.m. today at the Rocky Boy Senior Center. Burial will follow at the Rocky Boy Cemetery. Services and arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home. Madeline was born March 19, 1925, to Sitting Woman Owl Thunder and George Small in Rocky Boy, Mont. She was born and raised in Rocky Boy, where she was employed with the tribe. She was married to James Oats for 35 years. Madeline enjoyed playing bingo, telling stories and traveling to Canada to visit her relatives. She enjoyed doing beadwork and making quilts. Madeline’s greatest joy was her grandchildren, with whom she spent most of her time. She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, James Oats; her sons, Joseph Arkinson, Kenneth Stump Sr. And Leon Oats; and her daughter, Mary Jean Oats. Madeline is survived by her daughters, Linda (Robert) Long Fox, Leona (Ronald) Swan and Melissa (Mike) Sutherland; her sons, Quentin (Donna) Stump, John Oats, Kelly (Shawnee) Stump and Quentin Long Fox; her sisters, Christine Hann, Delores Alexander, Emma Saddler; and her brother, Joseph Saddler. She has 27 grandchildren, 30 great-grandchildren and numerous friends and relatives, all of Rocky Boy.
