Teche Latice Ereaux

Teche Latice Ereaux, whose Gros Ventre name was “kécính,” 29, of Hays, Montana, passed away on April 9th, 2026, at her home.

Teche was born on November 12th, 1996, in Havre, Montana, to Leslie Ann Cochran and Delvin James Ereaux. She grew up on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and attended Harlem High School and Aaniiih Nakoda College.

Teche had a quiet, meek, and modest personality, always wearing a big smile from ear to ear. She loved being a mom and a wife more than anything. Her journey into motherhood began with her first-born son, Zayden Thomas Long Knife, whose time on earth was all too short. That journey continued with the apples of her eye: her son, Ryder Gene, and her daughters, Raelah Nancy and Racelynn Rein. Teche could often be found in the arena grandstands or sitting on a gym bench, cheering on her babies as they competed in their favorite events.

As a little girl, Teche was rambunctious and full of life, tumbling around the house with a mischievous laugh and shaggy hair. She was as athletic and limber as any gymnast, and an outstanding swimmer, earning the title of state champion twice. That rambunctiousness followed her all through her life, she always wanted to wrestle someone be it her cousins, uncles, kids and/or friends.

As she grew into her adolescent and teen years, her talents only expanded. Teche could often be found roping with the best of them, often beating all the boys in her age group. Her dad, Delvin, spent countless hours hauling Teche and her siblings to kids’ and junior rodeos up and down the Hi-Line and throughout Indian Country. She was also an excellent basketball player, with a love for the game that began in Head Start and continued through her senior year of high school. In the powwow arbor, she could be found dancing Fancy Shawl, bringing grace and beauty to the arena.

During her junior year of high school, Teche began dating the love of her life, Raymond “Dutch” Helgeson. Although they had known each other since their early Head Start days, it took another 12 years for them to finally become a couple. From this union, three beautiful children were born: Ryder Gene, Raelah Nancy, and Racelynn Rein. Teche loved being a mother and took her role as a rodeo mom very seriously. She and Dutch traveled far and wide to take the kids to rodeos, while Teche, quiet and proud, could be found in the stands, grinning from ear to ear.

At home, Teche was most content just being with her family. She loved playing Candyland with Ryder, lying on the couch with Raelah, and staying up all night with Racelynn for TV marathons, because that little girl did not like to sleep. She was so proud of her babies; she was always sending snaps of them to friends and family, just to show how much they meant to her.

Teche’s first job was as a store clerk at Martin’s Grocery in Hays. She then worked at the Smoke House Grill and later at IMDG, where she was employed until the birth of her daughter, Racelynn.

Teche was a daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, and granddaughter—but the titles she cherished most were “mother” and “wife.”

She was preceded in death by her son, Zayden Thomas Long Knife; her nephew, Kaz Ereaux; Brother-in-law Thane Helgeson, her maternal grandmother, Mary Ellen Gardipee; and her paternal grandfather, Thomas Cochran.

She is survived by her husband, Raymond “Dutch” Helgeson; her son, Ryder Gene; and her daughters, Raelah Nancy and Racelynn Rein; her father, Delvin (Iris) Ereaux; her mother, Leslie (Loren) Cochran; her siblings, Mari (Michael) Ereaux, Kaden Ereaux, Kale Ereaux, Kruz Ereaux, Aubry Flying, Kyaaniiheh Stiffarm, Kaidance Guzman, and Miguel Guzman; her grandmothers, Arlene Gardipee and Carol Cochran; Mother-in-law Kim, Father-in-law Ray Paul Helgeson, Sister-in-law Cece Helgeson, Brother-in-law Kenny Gus and numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and extended family and friends. If anyone has been unintentionally omitted, please know it was not done out of disregard.

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