Kathleen “Katie” Ann Goodman (Rasor)
Born in Cottage Grove, OR, on January 3rd, Katie was the second child born after the New Year (1954) and was awarded gifts and prizes as such. Her siblings would eventually be: Jean, Janet, Mike, Jean Jr., Kerri, Kevin, Gregg, Melody, and Candy. (Big family) A member of the Nakoda Nation (from the Wadopana and Red Bottom clans), her childhood was a cycle of endless adventures, spent moving from Oregon to the Fort Peck Reservation and back again. If she wasn’t in Oregon being known as Kathy, she would be in Montana known as Katie. In her adult life, Katie took on the mantle of a single mother and provider of her three children: Sean Goodman, Michelle Eanes and Brandon Neal.
Throughout her life, she would work whatever needed doing, in order to do the things that she truly loved. She traversed the working world in a variety of jobs that included a stint in the Oregon National Guard, Caseworker for the Oregon Department of Human Services, Dispatcher for the North Bend, OR police department, Camp Crew Chief for the Fort Peck (BIA) Wildfire fighting crews (including the 1988 fires in Yellowstone National Park), Answering Service Operator (Albany, OR), Menasha Paper Mill worker (North Bend, OR), and Manager for the now infamous, and short-lived, Wolf Point Taco Bell.
It was in Montana that she discovered 2 things, the love of her life, Wayne Martell, and hunting (her true love). Mom was a true outdoorswoman. There was not a gun that she couldn’t shoot, or a fish that she couldn’t catch. I used to watch in amazement as my tiny mother would hang big game and have it skinned in less than 5 minutes. (If you’ve never seen her do it, I’m truly sorry because it was amazing!). Camping, fishing, and hunting were a constant of life, on the Rez and off. She could be frequently found **spotlighting deer on the river-bottom, which earned her the nickname: “Katie-runs-through-the-brush-hiding-from-tribal-police-at-dawn”. Her hunting and fishing prowess was only matched by her ability to clean her catch; in fact she was so good that she was often referred to as “Uncle Katie”.
Katie loved cooking, in general, but baking was her favorite, and she would bake breads, rolls, and especially cinnamon rolls to share with everyone. Nothing made her fat children happier than coming home and smelling bread in the oven. And of course, her frybread. Oh my damn, her frybread was indescribably delicious.
Katie attended various schools throughout her life, graduating from North Bend High School (go Bulldogs) and from the NAES college, with a Bachelor Degree in *Underwater Basket Weaving (please see notations below).
Despite having a life set to “Indian time”, Katie lived her life as she saw fit. She and Wayne took on more traditional roles over time. Mom tried her best to assume a more traditional native lifestyle. She became a protector of children when working at a group home, then a protector of women while working for a shelter. She and Wayne were most often found at sweats or lodge or at meetings held for those that needed help. Mom never missed an opportunity to attend a powwow. Some of her favorite past time activities included: wandering the prairies looking for chokecherries, bull berries, wild turnips, arrowheads, interesting feathers, and amazing stones and other minerals. She also enjoyed calling bingo at the old Community Hall in Wolf Point, in exchange for tobacco and pop. She loved feeling needed; it made her the happiest woman in the world.
She also loved to fuel up the Gremlin, pack her kids and her sister Kerri’s kids into it and drive to remote mountain tops or beaches to allow the kids to scream, yell, and generally work out their extra energies until tired, and then drive home on fumes. These trips, more often than not, resulted in stories that are still whispered about today, ***including the ever-popular “leave an adult behind while driving away, making the kids scream and cry”… Mostly, she loved to laugh, scheme, and joke. She did so loudly and as often as possible; preferably in the company of her many brothers, sisters, and extended family.
Katie was preceded in death by her parents: Jean F. Rasor Sr. and Ruby M. Rasor (Gregg). She leaves behind her wonderful husband, Wayne Martell; her children, Sean Goodman, Michelle Eanes (Rasor) and Brandon (Kaycee) Neal; adopted daughter, Althea (Miles) Iron Cloud-Jakcson. She was blessed with grandchildren who took up a large part of her life, Destiny Eder, Sunni Neal, Marcus Jackson, Martina Jackson, Miles Jackson Jr., Ian Rasor, Jonathon Eanes, Heavynn Lowdog, RJ Lowdog, McKenzie Neal, Kaitlyn Neal, Braedon Neal, and Maria Rasor. Believe it or not, for someone so young, she already had 2 beautiful great-grandchildren, Nikeda and Antonio. She is also survived by 5 brothers: Mike Matthews, Jean F. Rasor Jr., Kevin Rasor, Jean Merril Rasor, and Gregg Rasor, and her 4 sisters: Kerri Flitcroft, Janet Cooper, Melody Rasor, and Candy Rasor. She also has a plethora of nieces, nephews, grandchildren and many more kids that looked up to her as a surrogate mother, aunt, or grandmother.
Like all humans, she was governed by the laws of physics. It is a scientific fact that hearts and clocks slow down as they approach the speed of light. Katie’s heart reached that speed on Sunday morning, December 11th, transforming her soul into energy, into pure white light. Though she is no longer with us, she is all around us. Guaranteed, we will all miss her smile.
*These life achievements may require outside verification and certification…
**May or may not be true
***Seriously, are most of these even real?
Service Schedule
Visitation
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday December 17, 2016
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Sunday December 18, 2016
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Luncheon
Following Interment
Sunday December 18, 2016
Wolf Point Community Hall
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Service Schedule
Visitation
7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday December 17, 2016
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
10:00 a.m.
Sunday December 18, 2016
Clayton Stevenson Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Luncheon
Following Interment
Sunday December 18, 2016
Wolf Point Community Hall
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Kerri Flitcroft says
I am extremely heartbroken today at your passing sis. You cannot even know how much I miss you already. You were my closest sister in age and we did everything together from having fun to getting into fights to getting into trouble together. But that is what made us so close. I love you sis and there will never be a day that I won’t think of you. I will remember always, the good times and the bad times, but mostly how much we as sisters did love each other. I am heartbroken that death has broken that bond now, but also relieved that you are now at peace and with mama and daddy. So until we are together again sweet sister, sleep in peace.
Brandon Neal says
You were one of a kind momma, I’m so sorry I couldn’t be there today but I will see you again in heaven. I love you so much mom, I am hurting so bad I can’t even describe it. I’m glad you don’t have to worry anymore and that gramma Ruby is there for you. Good jouney
Rhonda Mason says
Rest in peace beautiful lady!
Ione Hanson says
You are at peace now cousin. I love very much and I will see you again. I miss you.
Nancy & Albert Foote Sr. says
Wayne and Family of Katie,
Our condolences to you during this time of loss. May the Creator watch over all of you and give you peace that Katie is in the Creator’s arms waiting until she can see you again.
Nancy & Albert Foote Sr.
Marian Montclair says
Kathy! How dare you die without saying good-bye? I will find you, when its my turn & we’ll have to disgust how you left, too soon! To the family, I am very sorry for your loss, Kathy was a very good person and I thank the Lord that I was able to know her, even though her time was short. She use to babysit for Charles & I, when we were married, she always took good care of my daughter, Marise Headdress. She will be missed by many and always remember that the Lord will not put you through something that you cannot handle? I am here for you all and if you need help with anything, cooking, cleaning, etc. I will do what ever I can do to help get through this. I am in the phone book in Poplar. God Bless Kathy & may His love & light guide you through this tough time.
Melody rasor says
Rest in peace sister. I loved you more than you knew. Give mom and pops a big hug for me. Until we meet again.
Melissa winslow says
You will be missed auntie. ..say hello to grandpa and grandma and keep and eye on my momma please.
Michele Buck Elk says
Rest in peace cousin. God be with you till we meet again.
Linda Lunski Rasor says
Kathy even though we did not get a long very well at times we did have some good ones hunting and fishing . I did love you and I will miss you . Say hi to mom and dad for me and grandma too
Kevin K, Rasor says
if you look up the definition of Running on Indian Time in the dictionary you will see a picture of my sister kathy,she was the slowest person i know,unless you asked her to go hunting or fishing,she would beat you to the truck. you willbe in my heart forever sis,and always in my memory i love you
brenda redhorn says
RIP KATHY
Gerald Jackson says
My Condolences and Prayers go out to the family . Going to miss her smile and great sense of humor.
Shannon Gonzalez says
Cousin I will miss you. And miss hearing you call me Shanny. I know your having a joyous reunion with Auntie Ruby and the rest of our family on the other side, so I’ll try not to be sad. I have cherished memories of you and all my cousins at our house in Poplar. I will carry those in my heart forever. God be with you till we meet again. Love you always, Shanny
Cissy Eagleman & Granddaughters says
Prayers of comfort to Wayne and family of Kathy. She was sure one special lady, heart of gold. Journey well Kathy…
Thank you for being you.
Theresa Forrest says
Katie,
You were one of the Hardest working women with a Heart of Gold who Always had a smile every time I seen you. You will be missed my Friend. Prayers sent to Comfort your family.
Bill Neal says
Remembering her wonderful and gentle soul will forever remain in my heart. May she rest in peace!
Gregg Rasor says
Sis I am so sorry we did get you the help you needed in time! Since moving to Texas I have missed you and our hunting trips. I hope you are with mom and dad now! Someday I hope we will meet again.
Carsereena Red Dog says
You will be missed. Thank you for everything you have taught me and my siblings. Thank you for being there when no else was.
You will always be in my heart.
Deona and Khloe Martell says
R I.P grandma Katy, we love you. We are going to miss you.
Shai-Lee Weeks says
Katie,
You were a very kind hearted woman with a unique personality that for sure. I loved seeing your beautiful soul at all the meetings and pow wow’s. I know you were always happy to see me. Always telling me how beautiful I am and that I’m your girl. You never failed to lift my spirits. I know that you are finally home now and even though your left a lot of great people behind, you will always be watching over us. Wayne misses you dearly and is glad you are no longer suffering. Forever in our hearts.
John W Dupree says
God bless you, Katie. Rest in peace. God bless and comfort your family and Wayne.
Bob and Terry McAnally says
To all of Katie’s family and friends: May the Creator wrap comforting arms around you all as you move through this time of grieving and loss.
Linda Nybakken says
Wayne & Family of Katie,
My condolences to you Wayne and to the family of you and Katie. Appreciated your work with NAES & the Hi-Line Worc Program. In reading about Katie, it appears that your both being “dedicated people helpers” with a variety of interests led to your getting together. May your happy memories help you all with your loss and grief. Linda
Lois Lilley - Black says
My condolences to the family of Katie. Katie was a very beautiful person always and a smile for me are story to tell. I will miss are talks and I never did get to say thank you katie for watching my Tanner when he was little. Give a kiss for me would you. Love your fren
Brandon Neal says
Happy birthday today mom, God I wish I could just see you one more time….it is so hard to think about you not being in this world anymore, sometimes I feel like I’m going to just die of heart ache, then I look at your granddaughters and see you sitting there everyday. Thank you for being my mom for as long as you were and thank you for always being there when I needed you. I’ll see you later, love you momma
Melody A Rasor says
Oh sister, I was just reading your obituary today that made me laugh and cry. Mostly cry because I really miss you. I have pics on my phone of you with the cocoa puffs in your nostrils that i will never erase. I love you and miss you so very much. I know that we will meet again and that you my sister are in a better place where you have memories of all of us. Rest in Peace