Collena Lois Caplett

Collena Lois Caplett, 75, Íaschiluu, “Bought with a Price,” went home to her Lord and Savior on April 29, 2024. Collena was born to the late Albert “Paddy Ryan” Caplett and Iola Iron on August 10, 1949, in Crow Agency, Mt. She was a descendant of the Chippewa Cree Nation and French Canadian Nations, and a full blooded member of the great Apsáalooke Nation in which she was born into the Ties the Bundle Clan through her maternal grandmother, Helen Crooked Arm, and was also a member of the Piegan Clan, who adopted Helen when she was a child. Collena wanted her immediate family to know “that is why we’re Ashkaamne!” She was also born a child of the Whistling Water.

She grew up attending grade schools and junior high in the St. Xavier, MT, area and finished up her high school education graduating from Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau, SD, on January 20, 1969. She was a cowgirl, barrel racer, and Crow Fair Rodeo Queen in the day. After graduating from high school, she enlisted in the United States Army on April 1, 1969 where she met her sons’ father, Ernest Oleyte. After being honorably discharged from the U.S. Army on February 19, 1971, Collena began her professional career as a secretary for the Department of Interior, Bureau of Indian Affairs. Collena worked for the BIA up until 1992 when she retired to pursue a college education. She received her A.A. Degree in Business Administration from Little Big Horn College during spring of 1995 and went on to graduate from Rocky Mountain College with a B.S. in Management Information Systems spring of 1998. From there she went on to attend Southern New Hampshire University with a Master of Science Degree in Community Economic Development the spring of 2001.

Collena is preceded in death by her parents, Albert “Paddy Ryan” Caplett, Sr. and Iola Iron, maternal grandparents, Albert and Helen Crooked Arm Iron, paternal grandparents, Louis and Inez (Wesley) Caplett, aunts, Alverine Stewart, Doreen Old Elk, Sylvia Moss, Josephine Rose Caplett Takes Gun, Elimere N. Caplett Bear Ground, Sylvia Caplett Stops and Irene House; uncles,  McKinley Iron, Sr. and Virgil Williamson; sister, Heather Iron, brothers, Michael B. Stewart, Theron Old Elk, Ferlin “Animal” Old Elk, Geuy Old Elk, Calvin Iron, McKinley Iron, Jr., Albert “Apple” Caplett, Jr. and Aloysius Renard Caplett, grandson Damen Shaw Oleyte, niece, Alberta F. Rides Horse; nephews, Jonah Morsette, cousin-siblings, Burton W. Bearground, Virgaleen, Virginette, Virjane, Virginia and Virgil “Butch” Williamson, Jr., Catlyn Caplett, and Lonnie Old Coyote, granddaughter Tanisha Watson.

Survivors include her children, Donavon (Dawn) and Justin (Tia) Oleyte, grandchildren, Devin (Aiyana), Darin (Tysha), Daniel, Dana, Jordan, Aaliyah, Donald, Mason Cash, and Alealani Oleyte, Sisters, Sen. Sharon Peregoy, Mary Sharlynn (Lane) Simpson, Cheryl (Tom) Whiteclay, Christine (Dale) Good Luck, Sr., Helen Caplett, Lou Old Coyote, Annie Stops (Edwin) Tsosie, and Kimberly Ann Stops; Brothers, Ivan (Dorothy) Morning, Sharone Curley (LaTonna) Old Elk, Alvin “Happy” Stewart, Jr., Courtney and Garrett Stewart, Clinton (Corliss) Iron, Sr., Nieces, Buffy, Tanya, Tamara, Lindsey, Carmel, LeighAnn, Ingrid Jade, Gwendale, Jamie Janell, Tasha, JoVanna, June, LaTonne, Whitney, Shylee, Kayden Rides Horse, Erica Takes Horse, Chantina, Sammie, Janae, Alberta Real Bird, Misty (Jay) Old Coyote, Leah, Varsha, Dani, Macey Takes Enemy, Sunny, Deborah, Vania (Ray) Big Lefthand, Appleen Caplett, Verlee, Virgama (Ronnie) Flatlip, Opal Bearground, Patricia, Vistoria (Cody) Allen, Darcy, Tessa Old Coyote, Jacinto Brien, Dalena and Sylvia Kindness, Nephews, Bear, Mitchell, Robin, Lionel, Lydell, Shann, O’Shon, Curtis, Clinton, Jr., CJ, Richard, Wilson White Hip, Sammie, RJ, Tuff, Colt, KJ, Reynard (Nikki) LaRance, Deborah, Sunny, Wiley LaRance, Albert  (Phaylene), Ross (Jessie) and Stephan Caplett, Vernon Williamson, Burton PrettyOnTop, Sr., Frank Caplett, and Corey Morning.

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