On Thursday, July 8 Maheo called Cecelia Big Back home. Vehona (Leading Woman) was born on March 17, 1935 to John Big Back and Nina Standing Elk-Big Back. She was born and welcomed to this world in a tent on her Northern Cheyenne homelands. She attended Lame Deer Public School. She spent two years at St. Labre Catholic Indian School and graduated from Freeman Academy Mennonite School in Freeman, South Dakota in 1956. She went on to receive higher education at Bacone College in Muskogee, Oklahoma and Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana. She received her Secretarial Science Degree from Chief Dull Knife College in Lame Deer, Montana in Spring 1987. She received her Nursing Assistant Certificate and CPR/BLS. She also volunteered as a receptionist at Northern Montana College in Havre, Montana; Good Shepherd Nursing Home in Havre, Montana; and Community Health Center in Lame Deer, Montana.
She worked for five years at Ashland Administration. She also spent five years making Johnny Doll at Guild Arts and Crafts. She worked as a Switchboard Operator for the Public Health Service. She was a Clerk/Typist for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She served as secretary for the Northern Cheyenne Social Services and Northern Cheyenne Vocational Rehabilitation program. She began as a Generalist for the Community Health Representatives in Lame Deer, Montana. Then she became a full-time secretary at CHRs in 1989 this is where she spent the majority of her career (26 years). After that, she served as the Resident Manager at the Shoulderblade Elderly Complex for four years. Before retirement, she dedicated one year to the LIHEAP Office in Lame Deer through Experience Works, which is a program designed to support older aged people who still want to work.
Cecelia enjoyed sewing, knitting, cooking, reading, playing Bingo, and she liked to gamble once in a while. She was known to take an occasional trip to the slots in Deadwood, South Dakota. She liked watching Western movies and listening to country music. She loved listening to Cheyenne music, especially sundance songs. We can not forget her pastime of watching Asian movies with subtitles. Visiting with her you always walked away learning something you never knew. She was known as a “sweet lady.” (Efficient, prompt, organized, reliable.)
Cecelia is preceded in death by her parents, Nina and John; two infant daughters, her brothers, Eugene Big Back, Sr., Steven Big Back, Major Big Back, and Baby John Big Back; her sisters, OraJune Edwards, Nancy Mae Big Back, Bertha Limberhand, and Louise Big Back; her heart broke when her boys, Daniel and Timothy; Mabeline and Beatrice Ann. She is also preceded in death by her grandson Daniel Limberhand, Jr. Many of her good friends and lifelong coworkers have already made their journey home.
Cecelia is survived by her son, Elmore (Gladys) Limberhand III; her special grandson who was like a son to her Terry “Jay” Big Back; and her daughter, Lori (Issaacc) Ann Walks Along. She is survived by her step-children June Limberhand, Doris Limberhand-Bad Brave, and Faron Limberhand. She is also survived by her sister Marie Littlewolf and adopted sister Virginia Toews. Cecelia had 17 grandchildren, 40 great-grandchildren, and 12 great, great grandchildren and three great great grandkids. Cecelia wanted to recognize three special people in her life: her sister-in-law, Clarice Baker-Big Back, her ex-daughter-in-law, Charlene Latrell, and her daughter-in-law Malinda Harris for taking care of her and Tim when they were in a wheelchair and walker, going to appointments in Billings. She also wanted to recognize her lifelong friends, Evelyn Gardner (Lame Deer, MT) and Darlene and Norman Hofer (Freeman, SD).
We are descendants of Chief Eugene Standing Elk who was one of the original Four Chiefs on the Council of 44. Our relatives include the following families: Big Back, Standing Elk, Yellowfox, Elk Shoulder, Walks Last, Little Wolf, Limberhands, Beckman, Yellowrobe, Walks Along, Shoulderblade, Whitewolf, Fighting Bear, Sandcrane (Washington) and Dives Backwards families.
Heartfelt thanks to Martha Burton and Larna Spotted Elk for helping with medication, cheering her up and coming to check on her.
We have a very large family and we apologize if we forgot to mention you by name.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday July 12, 2021
Big Back Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 a.m.
Monday July 12, 2021
Big Back Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, MT 59043
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Charleen Luttrell says
Mom I always called Cecilia Mom. Known her since I was 21. She got mad at me twice it felt like her finger would go across the room when she pointed at me. She taught me so much. Respect, love, and how to be strong in the worst situations. I love her very much. I will miss her phone calls. She had such a big heart helped us when we were growing into adulthood. Even though we all parted separate ways. We never did or will stop loving each other. I wish I could be there. Prayers for all of you and love sent. Many hearts are broken, remember this life is temporary and I know Mom is finally home. God bless the Limberhand and Bigback family
Aletha Limberhand says
I’m gonna miss you Grandma 💔 I wish I could be there to see you one last time, but at lest you got to meet the baby, your with my Dad I love you.
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
TO THE FAMILY OF CECELIA BIG BACK, THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR MOST SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOST OF A BELOVED LOVE ONE.
Donna says
Condolences to the family so sorry for our loss…she was a good person and acknowledged us her her neices…we will miss you dearly…
Pamela Spang says
I always enjoyed visiting with her. She was so kind to everyone! She will be missed.
LeRoy and Janette Epp says
Blessings and caring thoughts to the family of Cecelia as they celebrate her life at the service today. We first met Cecelia years ago when her son Tim came to live with us in SD and attend Freeman Academy. As the years went on we continued our relationship and visited each other’s homes several times. We remember her as a woman of great strength, always concerned about others. As you honor this life may you feel peace in your hearts.
Glenn Littlebird, Sr. says
Sincere condolences to Cecelia Bigback family. She was a beautiful friend. Always greeting each other. She was very proud of my accomplishments in my career and l for hers. Blessings to all her family. We share grandkids from her son Daniel’s son and my daughter.
Donovan Taylor says
When I first started college at Dull Knife in 1991, I would stop by CHR’s, she would ask how my mom was doing all the time and encouraged me to finish school and keep learning Cheyenne language and to stay away from those who made fun of my language when I was incorrect, kind like a Cheyenne mediator. A really supportive person, I’m sure she will be missed by all her relatives, hardly anyone around like that now days who look out for people and encourage them. God bless the family during this difficult time. Journey well Cecelia.
Ruth Costilla says
When we moved here to Lame Deer back in 1989, me and Joe had 4 small children and there were times that I would walk to the clinic and she would stop and give us a ride to the clinic. She told me that she would come and check on me once a week and then she would bring Tylenol or cough syrup to me, she was the best thing that happened to me because I did not know anyone around here. She had a lot of stories to tell and I will miss here especially at bingo
RIP Cecelia, no more pain.
Ruth Costilla says
When we moved here to Lame Deer back in 1989, me and Joe had 4 small children and there were times that I would walk to the clinic and she would stop and give us a ride to the clinic. She told me that she would come and check on me once a week and then she would bring Tylenol or cough syrup to me, she was the best thing that happened to me because I did not know anyone around here. She had a lot of stories to tell and I will miss her especially at bingo
RIP Cecelia, no more pain.
Darlene Hofer says
My husband Norman Hofer and I went to Freeman Academy with Cecelia. Over the years I have enjoyed writing to her. I met her only once when she came to her son Tim Limberhand’s 25th class reunion. She was looking forward to coming to our 65th class reunion but her health failed and she was not able to attend.
Darlene and Norman Hofer