Aurelia Lilly Half Red Bets His Medicine, a woman of extreme faith, went to be with her Lord and savior, Jesus Christ, on May 16, 2020. Although she fought many battles throughout her life, the battle she fought with her bodily ailments became too great and she joined her husband, Carlus “Ray” Bets His Medicine (Ray) and mother, Mary Agnes Theresa Shaw (Agnes), in heaven.
She was born on the Spirit Lake Reservation in North Dakota on November 10, 1939. She was raised by her mother and maternal grandfather and told many stories of her traditional upbringing and she only spoke the Dakota language until she was forced to learn English during her stints in two boarding schools. Although her boarding school experience was tough, it taught her how to be resilient and she resolved to keep her language alive. She got her teaching certificate and later became a Dakota language instructor at the Fort Peck Community College (NAES?) and Brockton High School.
Aurelia and her mother moved to Montana in 1949 to find a home. They moved around to various places until settling in Fort Kipp where she was later “mutually introduced” to her future husband, Ray, by well-meaning grandparents when they were in their teens. They married in 1960 and made their home on the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Reservation in Northeast Montana, where Ray was an enrolled member. They bought their two bedroom house in 1968 and had it placed on seven acres in the country so their children could raise animals and have room to run without the hassle of “city living”. They had five children and raised them together, along with various “foster” kids, until his death in 1995. They never considered these kids to be “fosters”, they welcomed them into their home and eventually had to turn the two bedroom home into a five bedroom home to accommodate their own kids and the extra kids entrusted to their care. After her husband’s passing, Aurelia continued to open her home to anyone who needed shelter, whether that was a friend running from a dangerous situation with their kids in tow or any child needing a safe place to sleep. When her grandkids and great grandkids were born, she took great pleasure in helping to raise them. Stories were told by community members about how Aurelia was never alone when she went anywhere. Her van was always filled with children.
Aurelia is survived by three daughters: Raylene and Theresa Bets His Medicine; Anissa (Jim) Gabrielson, and two sons: Travis (Tricia) and Dave (Tina) Bets His Medicine and an adopted son, Carlin Iron Moccasin (children). Nephew Al Bets His Medicine. Aurelia’s many, much-loved grandkids: Rikki; Auggi; Kendi; Rayni and Brennon Bets His Medicine; Shanna, Swann, T’Ray, Shante, Jamaal Bets His Medicine; Peyton Buckelk, Lucy Hart and her treasured great grandkids: Mishone and Yaya St. Germaine; Eebz and Mushu Red Eagle. Sister Sybil (Robert) Summers, nieces Melissa (children), Terri (children), Willette. Nephews Benjamin, Robert, Jr.; William Jr., Lloyd. “Sisters” Violet (Henry) Buck Elk and Ethel White Hawk. Cousins from Spirit Lake Ardis, Andy and Vincent.
Aurelia was preceded in death by her husband, Ray, and her mother, Agnes. Her dad, Loyal Half Red. Sister Eliza Lambert. Grandson Rocket Speed. Auntie Lilly Shaw. Nieces Angie Summers and Tonya Lambert. Friend Georgia Red Eagle.
*** Mom had many friends and relatives whom are too numerous to list here but know she loved you all and the exclusion of your name was inadvertent ***
Due to Covid-19 Regulations in place, the family will not be having a feed following the service.
A funeral service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, May 21, 2020 at Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel in Wolf Point, Montana. Interment will follow at Fort Kipp Cemetery.
In an effort to abide with the social distancing requests, we are asking that only family and close friends attend the viewing and graveside services. To watch the service live, please visit the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel Facebook page.
Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.