Rhonda passed away peacefully in Lethbridge, Alberta, on Thursday, February 5, 2026. A loving wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, retired nurse, golfer, curler, seamstress, and community volunteer.

She is survived by her husband of 53 years, Charles Blood Sr.; her daughter, Pamelynn Blood; her sons, Cameron Blood and Charles Jr. (Tricia) Blood; her grandchildren, Cherilynn (Austen), Brolin, Charlee, and Owen; and her great-granddaughters, Loralynn and Aubrielle; her sisters: Thelma King and Carla (Fred) Weasel Fat; her sisters-in-law: JoAnne (Erik) Lemieux, Cynthia (Hiram) Blood, and Yolanda Eagle Tailfeathers;  her brothers-in-law: Dewey (Carolyn) Blood, Blaine, and Manuel Blood. She is also survived by her many adopted loved ones, including adopted daughters Debra Blood, Kendra Many Bears, Michelle Cross Child, Gina Many Bears, Shawna Strangling Wolf, and Candace Shade; her adopted son, Terrence Bottle; adopted granddaughter, Bella Cross Child; and adopted sister, Carmen Black Water.

Rhonda was born in the Blood Indian Hospital on April 27, 1949, to Raymond and Isabella King and was raised in the One Spot Coulee area on the Blood Reserve, Alberta. She enjoyed her time there with her family until she was told she had to attend a residential school. Blackfoot language was her first language, and as her father tried to teach her how to say her English name, she refused to accept it and repeated that her name was Miisaminiskim. She carried her strong spirit with her throughout her lifetime.

Rhonda attended St. Mary’s Residential School, Magrath School, and Catholic Central High School. She then entered the Registered Nursing program at St. Michael’s Nursing School and graduated in 1970. She started as an R.N. and tended to patients at the Blood Indian Hospital and then went on to a career path that gave our people a voice in public health care for Indigenous peoples. She learned about a new Bachelor of Nursing program at the University of Lethbridge and quickly enrolled and graduated with the first cohort in 1982.

Rhonda then became the nurse-in-charge with the Medical Services Branch on the Blood Reserve and tied a strong link between frontline health care and advocating at tables at the federal level when she was one of the founding members of the Aboriginal Nurses Association of Canada, now the Canadian Indigenous Nurses Association. During her time on the Reserve, she worked to strengthen community health for the Blood Tribe from infants to elders. She also encouraged many of our members to pursue nursing and mentored many to apply for their degrees. She was also so proud to hear from nursing graduates and know the Blood Tribe had a strong number of nurses serving our people. After her time on the Blood Reserve, she received her master’s degree in teaching and counseling from Gonzaga University in 1997, while working in Saddle Lake and Good Fish Lake, Alberta, with MSB. She then took on Ottawa for one year to work with First Nations health facilities across Canada to receive accreditation with the Canadian Council on Health Services Accreditation. Rhonda also found the time to write a chapter in the first edition Community Health Nursing textbook on ‘Aboriginal clients.’ She then returned to southern Alberta as a health promotions specialist with Alberta Health Services upon retiring. With all her accomplishments, she returned home for her family to support and care for her husband, children, grandchildren, and great-granddaughters.

She married the love of her life, Charles Blood Sr., on June 3, 1972. When Charles approached Rhonda’s father to ask for her hand in marriage, he was refused. Raymond told him to wait until she finished school, which he did, and they went on to enjoy 53 years together. They started a family and raised their daughter and sons in the same area she grew up in, One Spot Coulee. She supported Charles during his ranching days and always ensured he took good care of his health and dressed nicely! You would seldom see them apart because they truly enjoyed each other’s company, worked hard to build their life together, and loved one another through the good times and the bad. Rhonda took her role as a mother very seriously and provided structure, rules, and discipline, but also humor, teachings, and her love. She loved her boys, Cameron and Jr., and did everything she could for them so they could be content and secure. She loved her daughter, Pam, and was more strict with her, but spent many hours teaching her things she knew she would need to know in life.  Her grandchildren and great-granddaughters were her pride and joy, as she would attend many basketball games, hockey, powwows, awards ceremonies, and graduations. She never left them without a hug and kiss.

Family was essential to Rhonda, and she constantly maintained connections with her relatives. Since her parents’ passing, she always found solace in visiting her uncle Leo McHugh, who was also her neighbor and an important family member throughout her life. She would also spend much of her time with her aunt Annie Davis, who would guide and support her through her love and humour.

Throughout the years, she took up golfing in the 1970s, joined the Magrath Ladies League, became a champion “a couple of times,” and joined many Indigenous golf tournaments with her husband, Charles. They formed many friendships through their love of golf and got their children involved too. She again joined her husband in curling and formed friendships within the Magrath Curling Club in the 1980s. Mom was talented and would make some crazy plays that would somehow save her team in both curling and golf. In all, she loved to travel and go on road trips with her family. Many times, they would travel with the late Bruno and Korine Many Bears and their children, Jonathan and Kendra, which Mom called some of the best times of her life.

Rhonda was known for her elegance, style, and her effortless lady-like manner. She was also intelligent, strong-willed, and did not back down if challenged. She also had a very loving side and would be there to offer kind words to anybody who needed a shoulder to cry on. She would often help her relatives and loved ones who took on the responsibilities of our society in any way she could. She was a good seamstress and made dresses for her family and friends as gifts for prayers for her family. As years went on, Rhonda and Charles would show up for relatives to offer support with their strong and loving presence. Rhonda was a beautifully complex woman who lived an interesting and wonderful life. She will be fondly remembered and missed dearly by those who knew and loved her.

She was predeceased by her beloved son Neal Terrance Charles Blood; her parents, Raymond and Isabella King; her paternal grandparents, Nicholas King and Little Shine; her maternal grandparents, Jim and Mary Many Feathers; her brothers, Courtney, Raynard, Charlie, Michael, and Carlton; her sister and best friend, Gavina King; and her father and mother-in-law, Alfred and Lucy Blood.

The family would like to extend a special thank you to: Blood Tribe EMS, Lethbridge EMS, Cardston Hospital doctors, nurses, and staff, her longtime physician, Dr. Kenneth Dahl, and all our sacred society members for their continued prayers.

A Wake Service will be held at Martin Brothers Funeral Chapel from 6:00 P.M. to 10:00 P.M. on Friday, February 13, 2026.

A Funeral Service will be held at 11:00 A.M. on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on the Blood Reserve. Interment will follow at St. Catherine’s Cemetery.