Kathleen Perez

Kathleen Ione Perez was born at Fort Belknap Agency on July 11, 1947 to Julian Perez and Melvina Buck Perez. She was a proud member of the Fort Belknap Assiniboine Tribe.

Kass was the mother of four boys, LD, Gordo, Jered and Andrew. She loved her boys and all her grandchildren very much. She was proud of each and every one of her children and grandchildren. Mama Kass had many accomplishments in life. She first attended school in Harlem, Montana and later graduated from Harlem High School in 1965. She then went on to obtain her bachelor’s degree in Teaching from Northern Montana College. With that degree she started her job career in many sectors first with the BIA Human Resources in the Oakland/San Francisco Bay area. From there she worked in various jobs in different areas in the State of Montana. Her last career endeavor was with the federal government where she spent over twenty plus years and retired in February of 2014. In her spare time she enjoyed telling stories of her life adventures with her many relatives and friends. Kass liked to travel with a bucket list of endless places she wanted to visit. She was also very knowledgeable in her culture and history and loved sharing that knowledge with others. Along with that she participated in the traditional ways taught to her by her elders.

Kass made her journey to join her ancestors and family members, Father Julian Perez, Mother Melvina Sebon Buck-Perez, Brother Ronnie

Perez, Sisters Georgina Buck-Weasel, Bernadette “Ice” Buck-Striker, and Granddaughter Madison Messerly, Nephew Frank Buck-Perez.

She is survived by her Brother Randy Perez (Diane) of Harlem, MT, Brother Benny Rider of Fort Belknap Agency, Son Lloyd “LD” Irvine (Norrie) of Ronan, MT, Son Gordon “Gordo” Messerly, Jr. of Ronan, MT, Son Jered Messerly (Michelle) of Harlem, MT, Son Andrew “Andy” Messerly (Kelly) of Harlem, MT, Son Stan Irvine, of Ronan, MT and thirteen grandchildren and two great grandchildren and her adopted children Maylee Messerly of Harlem, MT, Bernadette Weasel of Fort Belknap Agency, Toma Campbell of Harlem, MT, Roxanne Smith of Wolf Point, MT and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews.

~Wake~

Viewing at Wilderness Funeral Home, Saturday November 20th, 2021 from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Wake at Fort Belknap Community Center, Sunday November 21st, 2021 starting 4:00 PM and Pipe Ceremony at 5:00 PM

Funeral Services held at the Fort Belknap Community Center, Monday November 22, 2021 at 11:00 AM with burial to follow at the Pink Church

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