Ashlie Contreraz

On March 17, 2025, at the age of 43, Ashlie Lee Contreraz was unexpectedly taken up to paradise to join her sister-in-law Vanessa, Aunt Kathy, Grandpa Bob, Sadie Sue her basset hound, and the rest of her loved ones who had already passed on.

Born on May 20, 1981 in Great Falls, Montana to Gary and Bobbie (Okrusch) Jokela, Ashlie was a spirited girl from a young age, displaying her will and forthrightness early and often. Later, after Bobbie joined Tom Madigan in marriage, the trio lived in Rhode Island, Oregon, and Arizona, following Tom's career in the US Coast Guard. Everywhere the family moved, Ashlie's irrepressible personality helped her make new friends easily.

After moving back to Montana and settling in Billings upon Tom's discharge from the USCG, Ashlie graduated Laurel High School in 2000.She worked as a pharmacy technician after graduation, then moved into the bar and casino industry. Her beaming smile and distinct laugh made her a favorite among customers. During this time while she was working at Nickels Casino, she met and fell in love with Andy, and eventually gave birth to their son, Elijah. Ashile and Andy married on July 14, 2012 and along with her beloved basset hound, Sadie Sue,formed a wonderful, caring family.

After Andy started trveling for his job, Ashlie moved into the banking industry, initially as a teller at Yellowstone Bank, followed by positions at US Bank, Stockman Bank, and ultimately running the vault at the First Interstate Bank tower in downtown Billings. Her outgoing personality and wit made her numerous friends along the way, many of them life-long. She had come full circle, working back Nickels Casino when we lost her.

Never really an outdoorsy person, Ashlie nevertheless joined Andy while Elijah was involved in Cub Scouts and later Boy Scouts, serving as Pack 11's Assistant Cub Master, and then as a parent leader in Troop 7. She quickly made friends with the parents in both groups, helping the boys in their Scouting journey. She also had to curb her inner Mama Bear while watching Elijah play football, encouraging and cheering him on despite her maternal instincts to protect him by running onto the field to stop anyone from tackling her “precious boy.”

Ashlie is surived by her husband Andy and their son Elijah and their dog Chico, as well as her step-children Vickie, Ben, and Leah Contreraz; her mother Bobbie (Randy) Kober; her father Tom (Kristine) Madigan; her half-brother Jeremiah (Nicole) Mannon; her Uncle Butch Okrusch and family; her Aunt Sandy (John) Garrett and family; as well as her in-laws: Bill and Peggy Contreraz, Tom and Michelle Contreraz and family, Martin and Melissa Contreraz, Josie Luna and family, Amy Aguirre and family, and Nick and Anne Contreraz and family. She also leaves behind a multitude of loving friends and extended family that she met throughout her life. She grew up an only child but gained more family and friends than she probably ever expected, and she loved them all without hesitation.

She is preceded in death by her loving friend and sislter-in-law Vanessa Contreraz, Aunt Kathy (Dolven) Scheet, her beloved Grandpa Bob and Grandma Jane Okrush, and grandparents Mary and Delbert Jokela.

The Holy Rosary will be prayed at 6:45 PM on Friday, March 21, 2025 at Dahl Funeral Chapel at 10 Yellowstone Avenue, Billings MT. Immediately following this service, there will be a viewing before crematation. On Saturday at 11:00 AM on March 22, 2025, her funeral mass and celebration of her life will be held at Mary Queen of Peace Church at 120 South 34th St, Billings, MT. A potluck luncheon hosted by the Council of Catholic Women from Mary Queen of Peace parish will be held in the Church basement immediately following the service.

In life, we loved you dearly,

In death we love you still.

In our hearts you have a place

No one else will ever fill