Theresa Frances Aragon

Wyola, MT – Theresa Frances Aragon journeyed on to the Other Side Camp on December 29, 2024, at the Billings Clinic Hospital, surrounded by the love of her large family.

She was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on July 22, 1963, to Joseph and Dorothea (LaRance) Aragon. Her Crow name Baux bau bileesh “Medicine Water” was given to her by maternal grandmother, Agnes “Tala” Cummins McComas, who helped raise her. She was also a member of the Whistling Water Clan.

Theresa was raised and made her home in Wyola, where she was a Wyola Wild Cat through and through. She was the second youngest of ten children, and the beloved baby sister, as the youngest of the six girls. She attended school in Wyola and Lodge Grass, and earned her bachelor’s degree in early childhood development from Eastern Montana College and had served as the director of the Head Start programs across the Crow reservation. She loved being outdoors and enjoyed fishing and hunting with her family and longtime companion, Alvin Alden. She had a special bond with her brother, Delmar. They were inseparable and lived together in the family home. Theresa had an infectious laugh and loved to tease—her laugh and sharp sense of humor will be greatly missed. She especially loved her daughters, Darci and Joetta, and had a deep, unconditional love for her grandchildren, who affectionally called her “Lala”. She had a special relationship with her first born great-grandson, Mitchell and eagerly awaited the birth of her second great-grandson, Adrian IV.   She also had a special place in her heart for all her nieces and nephews, who she treated as her own.

She was preceded in death by both of her parents and beloved stepdad Perry Huff; maternal grandparents Agnes Cummins McComas and Andy LaRance; paternal grandparents Antonio and Gertrude (Poncho) Aragon; brothers Jay (Jody) Aragon and Dillard (Mike) Bird in Ground; nieces Dale Cuny and Morgan Aragon; nephews grandson Rope Tie Fraser; stepson Shylynn Alden; and her companion Alvin Alden; Bronski, Arnold, Dims, Roy, Patrick, Fellar, and Lynette.

Theresa is survived by her daughters Darci (William) Springfield and Joetta Hiwalker; adopted sons Kyle (Magi Rae) Fraser, Jesse (Julio) (Gini) Garza, Merlin Tsosie, and Melvin Lefthand; adopted daughters Luzenia and Taleah Russell; sisters Jolene Fritzler, Barbara Aragon, Toni Cuny, Naomie (Kenny) Peppers, Rae (Jimmy) Peppers, Misti (Scotty) Toineeta, Holly Aragon, and Tala Fraser; brothers Bucky , Roy (Andrea), and Delmar Aragon; grandchildren Tayzha Stewart, Emma, Shylynn, Tyrell Springfield, Garious (America) Hiwalker, Adrian III (AJ) (Tatiyana) Foote, George, Briana, Angelina, Edwin, William, Johnny and Julio Toineeta; great-grandsons Mitchell, and Adrian IV Foote; nieces Kassie and Valenna Jo, Shelby Cuny, Britney (Torey) Wolfvoice, Trista and Kasey Peppers, Jessi (Justin) Riddle, Ashley (Alex) Caster, Marzha (Mike) and Davonne (also her goddaughter) Fritzler, LaNada (James) Peppers; Justina, Jodi and Jenny Sue Aragon, Mandy, Royce, Alex, Holly and Hailey Aragon, Justina Martinez, and Misty LaFranier; nephews Sean (Kissy) and Beau Fritzler, Josh Peppers, Pedro Reyes, Chase and Coleman Aragon, and Chris St. Germaine; Dillard Birdinground, Darci and Joetta’s father, Floyd Hiwalker; sisters-in-law Jan and Melanie Aragon; numerous beloved grand and great nieces and nephews; Sarah Mae Takes the Horse, Kathy (Gilbert) Bird in Ground, Anita LaRance, Albert LaRance, Harold Jess Brien.

Extended family includes the New Mexico and Poncho Aragon families, LaRance, Cummins, Eastman, Brien, Takes the Horse, One Goose, Hill, Houle, Lei, Not Afraid, Little Nest, Left Hand, Backbone, Pretty on Top, and Bird in Ground. Our family is very large and loved. Please accept our apology if in our grief we missed anyone.

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