Cleo Lafern Jackson, “White Bird Woman”, named by her great-grandpa Steve, was born May 5, 1943, in Wolf Point, MT; the second daughter of Joe and Gladys Jackson. She passed away on Sunday, December 7, 2014 in Wolf Point. She was 70 years old.
She grew up in the Oswego area in the family ranch. She attended Oswego school until 7 th grade. She attended Jr. High and High School in Wolf Point, graduating in 1962.
Upon High School graduation she went on to Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah and later, Eastern Montana College obtaining a Business degree.
In Utah, she met and married Oliver Reed, to that union 3 children were born; Lisa, Willie, and Daryl. They lived in Seattle, WA and Kayenta, AZ. In 1973, she moved back with her family to help take care of Grandma Jeanette.
Early in the 80’s, she met and married Lawrence Boxer. They lived in Billings, MT where she returned to school obtaining her Business degree. They also lived in Ft. Washakie, WY where they worked for the B.I.A. and they later divorced.
In May of 1996, Cleo and Larry Hamilton were married in Poplar, MT. They were friends for many years and had a wonderful union. They enjoyed lots of traveling, lots of fun, and lots of work. They welcomed each other’s children and grandchildren with open arms. Larry would be traveling across Montana to get her grandchildren.
Through all of this Cleo was a career woman. At an early age, she worked at the White Star Laundry in Wolf Point and as a waitress at the Triangle Café. After college, she worked for the B.I.A. retiring after 28 years. She retired as a Superintendent at Fort Belknap Agency. She just couldn’t be retired, so she went to work for Montana State for 3 years. Two years ago, she became Director of the Tribal Road Program. Due to her health, she resigned from that in early October of this year.
Cleo was friendly, outgoing, and very knowledgeable about many things. We all often had “to ask Cleo, she’ll know.” She enjoyed watching her husband and brothers-in-law, nieces, and nephews at ropings, watching her sons and grandchildren play basketball and other sports.
Cleo is survived by her husband, Larry; children, Lisa St. Claire, Willie Reed of Billings, Daryl Reed of South Dakota, Taffy of Billings, Rose of Yakima, Washington, Lawrence Hamilton, Duane Hamilton, Jason Hamilton, and Terence Hamilton all of Wolf Point, and Bernita, of South Dakota; sisters, JoEllen and Dale Grandchamp of Oswego, and Davey Jean of Billings; grandchildren, Deanna Azure, Jordan St. Clair, JoHanna and Rob Reed, Kardin Reed, Nyla, Oliver, Kayla, Cleo, Daryana, and Dionna Reed and adopted brothers Rusty Stafne, Rick Kirn and Brney Cummins and adopted sister Mary Helen.
She was preceded in death by her parents Joe and Gladys Jackson; grandparents Bernard and Jeanette Standing-Stonewall and Susie Jackson; sisters Darla Payne, Lynn Campbell, Patty Stump; brother-in-laws Pete Stump and John Stewart and adopted brother Eugene Culbertson.
Cleo will be missed by many friends, nieces, nephews, grandchildren she took as her own when her sisters passed. We love you Cleo.