A fierce, strong-willed force left the earth on February 11, 2023, which was five days after her sixty-second wedding anniversary. Cecile (Odermann) Volesky passed away peacefully at her home, joining her parents, siblings, and many relatives and friends who have passed before her.

Cele was born on October 19, 1940, in Elbowoods, North Dakota, to Regina and Henry Odermann. She was the youngest of eight children, and according to her siblings, she definitely fit the youngest child profile. The farm she grew up on was situated along the Missouri River on the Fort Berthold Reservation, and her family also leased land from their Native American neighbors. As a young child, Cele helped with the family dairy operation, delivered milk to neighbors, and pitched in with other farm and household chores. In 1947, the Army Corps of Engineers began construction of the Garrison Dam.  The result was the flooding and destruction of their farm, and decimation to all the fertile bottomlands of the reservation. Cele and her family had to relocate themselves and their home (hauled across the frozen Missouri River) to Richardton, ND. Cele graduated from St. Mary's High School in 1958, and moved to Dickinson, ND, where she met the love of her life at a bowling alley. Cele and Al were married on February 6, 1961, and eventually welcomed nine children into their lives.

Cele was a stay-at-home mom in the early years, managing the many aspects of life a large family entails. She cooked, cleaned, grew huge gardens, chauffeured, did the bookkeeping for Al's masonry business, enjoyed a large circle of family and friends, and loved to share a few off-color jokes, go to her kids' basketball games, square dance, win an argument, and play cards with friends. In 1975, the family moved to South Heart, ND, and when the youngest kids reached elementary school, Cele and Al purchased Weber's Western Wear, which provided clothing and boots to the many farmers, ranchers, and oil workers in the surrounding area. In 1986, Cele decided to go to college and get a registered nursing degree. Upon completion, she worked for St. Joseph's Hospital in Dickinson in the psychiatric unit. In 1990, Cele and Al sold their business, and moved to Helena, MT, where Cele started work at Shodair Children's Hospital. As a parent, Cele provided structure, discipline, and direction...those same tenets were also valuable at Shodair when providing psychiatric care to children dealing with abuse, neglect, and mental illness. In 1998, Cele was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis, and began to cope with the ensuing devastating effects of the disease.

Cele and Al retired after building their home near Hauser Lake, and enjoyed the beautiful surroundings with visiting family and friends for many years. With Cele's health deteriorating, she required the care of assisted living facilities, Edgewood and Renaissance Senior Care. She made fast friends at each facility, and enjoyed the camaraderie and fun gifted by her caregivers and fellow residents.

Cele leaves behind her loving and caring husband, Alfred, and her nine children: Laurie Kops, Helena; Lisa (Brian) Geiger, Baldwin, ND; Wendy (Dave) Ekre, Beach, ND; Carmae (Garrett) Fawaz, Helena; JoEllen (Kelly) Davis, Bismarck, ND; Mike (Becky Dockter) Volesky, Helena; Mary (Paul) Dosch, West Fargo, ND; Patrick (Tony Sanjuan) Volesky, Helena/Almunecar, Spain; Joe (Heather) Volesky, Fort Collins, CO; 34 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren, and her remaining sibling, Joan Odermann, Dickinson, ND.

Cele taught her children to be go-getters, to believe they could achieve great things, and to be unafraid to take up space in the world—a conviction for which all of her children are eternally grateful. She will be missed for her witty humor, tenacity, baked caramel rolls, and locally famous "Cele's buns." She will be remembered for her compassion, resourcefulness, generosity, hospitality, and unwavering faith; her ability to wipe the table clean at cribbage—or any card game; for her clever eye, and her artistry. Her memory lives on within numerous descendants who carry with them a heritage of brilliance and creativity—that is, Cele's magical ability to sprinkle life's special moments with an extra dose of heart-warming festivity—from stunningly-arranged bouquets, to beautifully-wrapped gifts, to evergreen-woven Yule candle holders, and mouthwatering Easter bread.

The family would like to share their immense appreciation to the staff of Renaissance Senior Care. Your kindness and loving care provided much dignity to Cele, and great peace of mind to all of us. Additional gratitude to St. Peter's Hospice staff for your thoughtful and comforting presence. Thank you all so very much.

A funeral mass for Cele will be held at 11:00 AM on Monday, February 20, 2023 at Our Lady of the Valley Church in Helena, Montana.