Amelia Lefthand

Amelia Lefthand passed away Friday, Nov. 9, after a long illness. Amelia was born on July 4, 1940 to Basil Lefthand, Sr. and Coomsah (Morigeau) Lefthand. She was a proud member of the Kootenai Nation. Amelia worked as a staff cook with Kicking Horse Job Corps, Tribal Forestry Fire Control, Green House, and Tree Planter. She also worked for the Tribal Health program as a shift worker for the Detox program, the TLC, and a CHR. Amelia also worked for the Head Start Program and Polson Schools as a Kootenai language instructor. She was also employed with the Kootenai Culture Committee.  Amelia especially enjoyed doing beadwork for her family and friends, including Billy Ray Cyrus. She also enjoyed the days when her grandson Isacc Lozeau would sing her favorite traditional songs to her. She will be remembered by many for her beautiful singing voice. Amelia was preceded in death by her parents, Coomsah and Basil Lefthand; Mitch and Adeline Mathias; sisters, Theresa and Hariette Lefthand; brothers, Samuel Lefthand, Victor Lefthand, and Joseph Mathias; nephews, Gene Lefthand, Lawrence Bufton, and Duane Friedlander. Amelia is survived by her siblings, Saraphine Bufton (Big Arm), August Lefthand (Polson), Nicolas Lefthand (Nirada), Basil Lefthand, Jr. (Nirada), Anastasia (Ruby) Finley (Wellpinit, Wash.), SuSan Dowdall (Polson), Mary (Pooyah) Lefthand (Polson), Diana Andrew (Pablo), and Margaret Friedlander (Dayton); her children, Natalie Kenmille (Ronan), Kevin Kenmille (Pablo), Gregory Kenmille (Pablo), Samantha Kenmille (Polson), Danielle Lefthand (Pablo), Sara  Leutes (Ronan), Coomsah Clairmont (Pablo), and Jerilyn Clairmont (Pablo); numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Amelia will be greatly missed. Her presence will always be in our hearts… Messages of condolences may be shared with the family online at www.groganfuneralhome.com.