Billie Jean Hartung

Billie Jean Hartung, age 71, passed away peacefully on January 4, 2026, at 6:30 p.m. at St. Joseph Hospital in Polson, Montana, surrounded by family.

Billie was a respected elder of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes of the Flathead Nation and the last remaining enrolled tribal member of her family. She carried this role with humility, strength, and deep devotion to her people and her family.

For nearly 25 years, Billie served as a paralegal for the Tribal Prosecutor’s Office, where she was known for her integrity, dedication, and unwavering commitment to justice within the community.

Above all else, Billie valued family. Her children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and extended family were the center of her life. She lived guided by love, responsibility, and cultural respect, and she held a deep love for God, with her faith serving as a quiet source of strength throughout her life.

Billie found joy in the simple things. She enjoyed going to the casino, watching the snow fall from her bedroom window, and sitting outside in the summer sunshine for hours. She loved coloring with her daughter Crystal, watching YouTube with her daughter Camille, receiving amazing back scratches from her oldest daughter, Carmella and eating breakfast with her son-in-law Patrick. She was an avid reader and a devoted fan of Stephen King, having read all of his novels. She was also a passionate collector of miniatures, a hobby that brought her great happiness.

Most of all, Billie cherished time spent with her family — whether at Fourth of July barbecues, Thanksgiving gatherings, or Christmas celebrations. Being surrounded by those she loved was what mattered most to her.

She is survived by her brother Mark Hartung and her sister-in-law Theresa Hartung; her daughters Carmella Jean DuBay, Camille Jae Daley, and Crystal Joy Santos and her son-in-law Patrick Santos; her grandchildren Brooke (Dawn) DuBay, Wyett Francis Daley, and Brendon Scot Daley and his wife Kyra Diane Daley.

She is also survived by her niece Jennifer Nugent (“Goose”) and her husband Dale Nugent, and their children Ashley Nicole Austin, Brittany Leigh Muth, Kelsey Elizabeth Kearns, and Zoey Christine Raymond; her niece Kelly Rae Adley and her sons Dawson James Adley and Ethan Zachary Buys; her niece Candace Eliza Rusnock and her children Ilanna RayLynn Chaney, Ariel Eliza McCarren, Romeo Jacob McCarren, and Isabella Annette Chaney; her niece Angela Rhea Chaney and her sons Jimmy Ray Vegoren and Hunter Roach Vegoren; her nephew Christopher Curtis Chaney; and nephew Drew Hartung.

Billie was preceded in death by her father Reynold “Dutch” Hartung, her mother Lillian Bisson, and her sisters Joan Raymond, Leila Hartung, and Sherry Chaney.

Services will be at The Lake Funeral Home on Friday, Jan. 9th at 1pm, with travel to Ronan Cemetery then late lunch to follow at Ronan Tribal Senior Center.