Kayleigh Ownspipe, age 24, of Wolf Point, MT

Kayleigh Jeri Nico Jones was given her grandmother’s name of Itunka Ota Win, was born on April 7, 1999 to Sandra Ownspipe and Wylan Jones in Wolf Point, MT.

Kayleigh grew up in Wolf Point and attended school in Wolf Point till her Freshman year then transferred to Brockton where she graduated as a Warrior in Class of 2017.

Growing up Kayleigh loved to dance. Her sisters and her would even play pow-wow when they weren’t at a pow-wow. Kayleigh was a champion Traditional dancer. She made many friends on the pow-wow trail.

At 11 years old Kayleigh was inspired to Hoop dance. So we got her hoops made and away she went. Making shapes and animals with her many hoops. This took her to many places and schools. She enjoyed this as many faces lit up when she would make a new shape.

In 2012 we attended a celebration in Fort Yates, ND and after her finals a lady approached her and asked if she would be interested in modeling at the He Sapa Style show in Rapid City, SD that October. So she went and was picked out of 4 of the 5 artists. The 5^th artist came to her and said he wished he made woman’s apparel cause Kay would be the face. That put a huge smile on her face. After the show a gentleman asked if she would be serious about modeling. He invited her to classes in JRP in Williston, ND. When we showed up there was a large capacity of people auditioning for the spots. Kayleigh looked at her mom and asked, “What do we do?” Her mom shook her head and said, “I don’t know, audition?” When they called Kayleigh’s name, they told her she didn’t need to audition as she was an invite. A few months of training with a group of 15 out of hundreds she attended a show case in Minot, ND, there Kayleigh was told high fashion models are about 5’9” and any other modeling she should be at least 5’6”, Kayleigh was only 5’4”, and that didn’t seem to phase her much. She ended up signing with IMG models and later to MM6 Talent. She did clothing flyers, hair and make up shows, a dental commercial, Dick’s Sporting Goods. She was also invited to read for Fury, Transformers 3 and Fast and the Furious 8. With rising attention came a lot of difficulties, it was decided that that was enough and she wanted to be a teenager again.

This led Kayleigh to meeting Devon Shayne and 2 children were born. Blessing the family with Daylen Shawn and Nicosia Allen. They loved their children deeply and with everything they had. They later separated but remained close friends and great co-parents for their children. Kayleigh then started dating Ezekiel Zimmer whom she remained with till his passing in June of 2023. She was hurt and heart broken.

But with all of life’s challenges Kayleigh enjoyed life. She had much love for all that life brought. Whether it was coloring or drawing with her children, playing dice, cards or board games with her sisters and friends, to playing football with her brother or visiting to fishing with her family or watching her favorite football team the Green Bay Packers and have to relive the game with her mom, everything she did, she did with love.

Her cooking dinners, her joking, her laugh and teasing. Really gonna miss her and all her visits. Her little motto all the time, YOLO and enjoy the little things. Love you and GO PACK GO babe! Until we see your beautiful soul again, we love you and we miss you. Watch over and guide us, you may no longer be here in physical form, but spiritually you live on through us all of us. Rest in beautiful peace sweetheart.

Kayleigh is survived by her parents, Sandra Ownspipe (Collins RedDog) and Patrick Ricker; children Daylen Shawn and Nicosia Allen and their dad, Devon Shayne RedBoy; sisters Cheryl Eagle, Codi and Isabella Jones and Leigh Spotted Bird; brothers Kokipasni Ownspipe, Kevin Brown and Ken First; grandparents Amos Cloud, Sr., Marian Miller, Vermae Taylor, Carlene Bird, Steve and Violet Bird and Emerson Ownspipe; nieces and nephews Micah King  Bear Hill, Rileigh Bear, Niko Black Duck and Crystal Brown; aunts and uncles Amos Cloud, Jr., Stephanie Cloud, Jospeh (Britney) Cloud, Dana Mireau, Stanley and Leah Jones, Jena Lone Bear, India Jones, Tammy Hapa, Vermae, Tommy, Duane Smith, Jr., Colleen and JD Ferguson, Michelle and Monica Melbourne, Curtis Melbourne, Nina Johnson Fetty.

She is preceded in death by father, Wylan Jones; brother Lazarus “Laz” Jones; sister Emily Brown; grandparents Cheryl Cloud, Paula Melbourne, Renee Melbourne, Duane Smith, Sr., Manny and Leta Melbourne, Lionel and Gayle Johnson, Shep and Arlene Ferguson, Clifford Melbourne, Serena Bird, Nelson Bird, Carolyn Bird, Gloria Ownspipe, Gilbert Miller, Mary Jane Jones, Herbert Hapa and Beulah Granbois; aunts and uncles Jen Cloud, Jimmey Smith, Joel Ferguson, Heidi Johnson, Shelly Marais Johnson, Alex Steams, Violet Comeslast and special friend Ezekiel Zimmer.

Service Schedule

Wake

7:00 p.m.

Wednesday October 18, 2023

New Community Hall

Wolf Point, Montana 59201

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Funeral Service

1:00 p.m.

Thursday October 19, 2023

New Community Hall

Wolf Point, Montana 59201

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Interment

St. Ann's Cemetery

Poplar, Montana

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