JoEllen Grandchamp

JoEllen “JoJo” Jackson Grandchamp, “Corner Stone Woman”, was born June 14, 1950 in Wolf Point MT to Joe Jackson and Gladys Standing Jackson. The 4th girl of 6, they grew up at Chasuda Isa (Ash Point) working on the ranch, travelling to powwows, the whole family danced. She took pride in her home and community.

She attended Wolf Point Public School and graduated in 1969. We remember seeing her graduation picture was taken at Southside School. When asked why she said because the high school burned down her senior year. They were bussed to differed churches in Wolf Point to attend class.

JoEllen was a champion fancy dancer in her buckskin dress. She was an Oil Discovery Princess and right out of high school she was chosen to participate in Miss Indian America Pageant in Sheridan, Wyoming.

JoEllen attended Northern Montana College in Havre. Eventually she earned her Bachelor’s degree from NAES College, while she worked and helped out at the farm. JoEllen and her sisters were all smart, hard-working women.

Her husband, Ooge says they met in 1976. JoJo was working in the hay field, taking care of her mom’s cattle, and assisting with all the farm paperwork. Dale and JoEllen were married May 14, 1977.

Some of her many interests including bailing and hauling hay, hunting, working cows, and watching all of her relatives in sports, particularly basketball.

Her biggest accomplishment was becoming the biggest “Indian owned” Rancher on the reservation. Alongside her husband, they built their place from nothing - don’t worry grandma, we will keep in going.

In her later years, her joy came from her grandchildren. She was so proud of her great-grandson, Stetson Dale. Last summer he danced at every powwow with grandma watching.

JoEllen was a member of many committees including Board of Commissioners for Housing, Tribal Enrollment, Education, and the Oswego Community. She was asked why she never worked in Poplar, she said she didn’t like the drive she would rather have a job in Wolf Point. She was always working somewhere. Some of the many jobs she held were at the Faith Lutheran Home, Wolf Point Schools, Frazer School, Crisis Center, Recreation Director, and Fort Peck Housing. We all remember JoEllen selling Avon forever! It seemed she was always working with children. Maybe because she didn’t have kids until her daughter, Gladys came along.

GiGi was born on July 8, 1984. She was the light of their lives. We all have stories we could tell about GiGi (the good and bad) but they wouldn’t hear it. She was their angel and nobody could say she wasn’t. She was always their angel until her passing.

She was ALWAYS helping friends and family. She really did love everyone and we all loved her.

She is survived by her husband, Dale “Ooge” Grandchamp of Oswego, MT; granddaughter, Savannah Giles (Dyami) of Oswego; son-in-law, Andy Giles of Oswego; special brothers-in-law, Doug and Jim Grandchamp of Wolf Point; nephews, Douglas “June G” Grandchamp (Chrissy) of Wolf Point, Jason Payne of Wolf Point, Mike Stump of Oswego, Steve (Connie) Stump of Williston, ND, Darryl Reed and Parker (Ramona) Morgan of Riverton, WY, Olyn Payne of Wolf Point, and Tyrone Morgan of Billings; nieces, Donell Morgan of California, Lisa St. Clair of Pablo, MT, Honey Grandchamp of Wolf Point, Jeanette Payne of Great Falls; special grandchildren, Terell and Taylor Hamiton, Sunni Martell (Mylan) all of Wolf Point, Marti Grandchamp of Shepard, MT, Donell Stump, Petey Stump (Yolanda), Jaxon Alvstad, DJ Fisher (Adriana) all of Oswego, and Kalyn Flynn of Wolf Point; honorary grandson, Welden Drew of Billings; special great-grandkids, Stetson Dale, Kaisen Hamilton, Ripley and Elli TalksDiffernt-Hamilton, Emerson Jay Wetsit; other nieces, nephews, cousins, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends too numerous to mention. We have such a big family and she loved you all!

JoEllen is preceded in death by her parents, Joe and Gladys Jackson; grandparents, Stonewall and Susan (Fiske) Jackson and Bernard and Jeanette (Gives The Blanket) Standing; daughter, Gladys LaMay “Gigi” Granchamp Giles; sisters, Cleo (Larry) Hamilton, Patricia (Pete) Stump, Lynn Campbell, Darla (Tom) Payne; special nephews, Willy Reed, TJ Payne, and Gifford Standing; special friend, Roxan Giles, whom she shared her granddaughter Savannah Ariann with.

A wake will be held 7 p.m. Wednesday, March 19 at the Oswego Community Hall. A funeral service will be held 1 p.m. Thursday, March 20 at the Oswego Community Hall. Interment will follow at the Grandchamp Family Cemetery on the ranch. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.