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A funeral service for Celia Yates, 89, of Ekalaka, MT, was held September 5, 2017 at Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka. Burial took place in Beaver Lodge Cemetery.

Celia passed away Tuesday, August 29, 2017 at Billings Clinic in Billings, MT.

Celia Elizabeth Owen was born to John and Mary Owen June 2, 1928 in Deadwood, South Dakota. She was one of four children and grew up on the family ranch in the Ridgeway, Montana area. She asked Jesus Christ to be her savior at the age of eight and followed Him, loving her family and serving the community, for the rest of her days.

After graduating from Carter County High School in 1945, she taught at the Climax and Johnston Schools. On September 21, 1947, she married Richard Yates. They ranched at Ridgeway together for nearly 70 years where they reared their three children and established a heritage for ten grandchildren and 25 great-grandchildren to appreciate. She was a faithful partner in the ranch work, singing hymns while kneading dough, memorizing Scripture while spraying weeds, and recognizing a lamb in trouble.

She had an indomitable spirit, assuming if something needed to be done, she could do it. Celia sewed because she could and should, and she sang and wrote poetry because she couldn't help it. She wrote under the name Prairie Singer laughing at the rancher's wit, praising the Creator, and noting the details of the country scene she loved.

She is survived by her dear husband, Richard, daughters Lynette (Gary) Henderson and their four children and families, Arnina (Rusty) Jardee and their three daughters and their families, and son Justin and his two sons and their families.

She was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Margaret Schwartz and Betty Hanson, her brother Richard Owen, granddaughter Shawna Jardee Hoover and infant grandson Clint Jardee.

Remembrances and condolences may be shared with the family at http://www.stevensonfuneralhome.com.

Stevenson Funeral Home, Ekalaka, MT