David Little Whiteman III, 59, of Lame Deer

David Little Whiteman, III, has passed away on November 27, 2013.  David was born to Wayne and Lucy Whitedirt Little Whiteman on October 9, 1954. David was born in a log cabin in Lame Deer, Montana and was delivered by mid-wives, the Cheyenne way.  David was Northern Cheyenne and was given the Cheyenne name Coyote Flying. David passed his Cheyenne name down to his first grandson Davin Little Whiteman.  David also named his second grandson, Michael, White Buffalo.  David was a direct decedent of Chief Black Kettle, Chief Whistling Elk, Chief Crazy Head and Chief Littlesun.  David was very proud to say he was raised in the log house that belonged to Chief Two Moon, a relative, along the Rosebud Creek, between Busby and Lame Deer.  David belonged to the Elkhornscraper Society.  In his early life David followed his Cheyenne culture by participating in a sundance and fasting at Bear Butte.  David is survived by his wife of 34 years, Lanita, two children; Andrea (Frank) Little Whiteman and Omar Little Whiteman and his two grandsons whom he and Lanita raised as their own; Davin Little Whiteman and Michael Big Man.  David’s siblings; Collins, Dewaine, Samual, Emannaul, Ethelene and Janice Little Whiteman. 

David’s calling came too soon for the family but rather than focusing on the quantity of life David’s life was full of quality from beginning to end. At his passing, David was surrounded by his family.  His wife was with him in the hospital for all the 48 days he was there.  David encountered many obstacles in life, but cancer he could not overcome.

Being raised on a ranch along the Rosebud Creek helped him to learn life-long skills and become a hard worker.  David grew up around horses and cattle and continued raising livestock as a livelihood throughout his life.  David bred and raised quarter horses.  His father taught him how to ride, brand, break horses and inoculate horses.  He always enjoyed being a part of the Indian relays in his younger days and recently teaching his son Omar about Indian relay. One of the things he enjoyed was being a part of the Morning Star Riders, riding and helping haul horses for others for the first four years of its establishment.  He and Omar also rode with the Little Big Horn Riders.

When David was a teenager he worked his first job at the Padlock Ranch near Crow Agency, Montana as a ranch hand along with his brother Collins and other Cheyenne boys. David began working odd jobs as a young man but interest in work began to lean towards acquiring a higher skill. David did not finish high school but acquired a GED.

David attended Denver Welding School and graduated with the highest honors of his class.  He worked was a welder at the Indian Action Program, Peabody coal mine in Colstrip and Sarpy Creek Mine.  David had the opportunity to join the Boilermaker Apprenticeship during the construction of Power Plants 3 and 4 in Colstrip, becoming a member of the Local 11 Union. After the completion of the power plants, David worked at other power plants around Montana and at Duluth, Minnesota where he completed his apprenticeship in and became a Journeyman Boilermaker/Welder.  He always looked forward to the next turnaround and seeing his boilermaker friends.  Another skill he acquired was being a heavy equipment operator, operating a grader and a scraper, and his favorite, the twin engine scraper.  David worked on highways such as the Tongue River Road, Kirby Road, Hwy 212 near Crow Agency, and Cheyenne Avenue.  He became a member of the International Union of Operating Engineers – Local 400. David worked at the Western Energy coal mine in Colstrip for years as a heavy equipment operator and a welder before working as a Lease Compliance Officer for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe.  As a lease compliance officer, David had the opportunity to work with the late Robert Bailey on the Bear Butte Right of Way in South Dakota.   After Robert’s passing, David continued to work alone on the project.  He contacted the ACLU to help in acquiring the Bear Butte Right of Way.  David was very proud of his work and knew this was a great accomplishment for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and the future of the tribe. As the Lease Compliance Officer, David was assigned the task of searching for an area for a new cemetery and park, in which he did. These are the Allison Bixby Memorial Gardens and the People’s Park. David was a family man, always providing for his family.  He enjoyed being around his children and grandchildren, always encouraging them and passing on his knowledge to them.  David was “Dad” and “Papa” to his children and grandchildren. David was their mentor and supporter. They looked up to him for answers and guidance.  The family will truly miss him. David was baptized a Catholic in Lame Deer on February 22, 1959.  His sponsors (god parents) were the late Allen Rowland and Eva Rowland.  David and Lanita were sponsors for Michelle Little Whiteman and Victoria Stewart during their baptizism.   

David made many friends where ever he worked.  Some of his close coworker/friends were; Leo Spang, the late Ron Big Man, the late Steve Millenburg, Henry Speelman, Hank Wolfname, Tony and Skip Weed.

Other Special friends: Leo Spang, Tim Lamewoman, Sr., Jim Jandreau, Edwin Standingelk, Raymond Hart, Abe Yoder,  Ervin Risingsun, and Blaine Realbird.

David is survived by his wife, daughter and son, and two grandsons and his brothers and sisters. His aunts, Mae Whitedirt and Imogene Dewey.  Uncles, Gilbert Whitedirt and Stacy Stewart. Sisters in laws, Alberta (Edward) Spang, Lucinda (Joe) Fox, Ethelyn Shoulderblade, Jocelyn Spang, Cordelia “Kay” Spang, Jolene (Winfield) Spang. A Brother in law, Warren Spang.  Two special nephews; Bobby “Oldman” Yellowfox and Dale Brady, Jr. David is survived by his relatives of the Whitedirt, Whistlingelk, Little Whiteman, and Littlesun families. His Crow relatives through Chief Crazy Head; the Old Elk and Realbird families. And other nieces and nephews.

Service Schedule

Traditional Wake

7:00 PM

Sunday December 1, 2013

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish

Lame Deer, MT 59043

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Funeral Service

10:00 AM

Monday December 2, 2013

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish

Lame Deer, MT 59043

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Interment

Following Services

Monday December 2, 2013

Allison bixby Memorial Gardens

Lame Deer, MT 59043

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Luncheon

Following Graveside Services

Monday December 2, 2013

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Parish

Lame Deer, MT 59043

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