Delberta Seminole Eagleman, Hetohke’e, Star Woman, and Woman who first to the battle to find the fallen, 75, a beloved matriarch, and advocate, began her journey to the spirit world on Sunday January 19, 2025 surrounded by the love of her family. Born to Fannie Burgess and Delbert Seminole Sr. May 18,1949. Delberta’s life was one of resilience, strength, and unwavering commitment to her family and community.
Delberta survived the Native American boarding school system, attending school at St. Labre Indian School. Attended college at Fort Peck Tribal College and Eastern Montana College where she earned a degree and graduate school in Arizona. She taught special ed for a while and was a social worker for the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and then for the BIA in Lame Deer. Delberta’s strength and determination guided her through many challenges.
Her early life Delberta was an avid horsewoman and skilled hunter. Her stories of riding with her brother Jelly and hunting for her mom Fannie gave her great joy to share. Delberta had a deep connection to the land and the traditional ways and ceremony of her Cheyenne heritage. Delberta’s prayer life was deeply shaped by the journeys she shared with her father to ceremonies across the land. As a young girl, she would sit quietly beside him, observing the reverence and care he carried into each gathering. Those travels became a sacred classroom, where she learned the songs, prayers, and stories that connected her to the wisdom of her ancestors.
Each ceremony brought her closer to the rhythms of the earth and the teachings of her people.
Our mother Delberta, had participated in many ceremonies, mainly out in Chelsea MT for years under the direction of the late Uncle Melvin Greybear. Amounts our other many relatives that have past, defining her life in helping others fast, Sundance, yuwipi’s and native American Church. Mom also has gone to participate at Crow Dogs Paradise in Rosebud, SD under the direction of our late Uncle Leonard Crow dog. She was the greatest mentor to Ramey Growing Thunder who was always there for Mom. Her father’s steadfast guidance and devotion planted the seeds of a profound spiritual practice that would grow throughout her life. Delberta’s prayers were not merely words but acts of connection—woven with the same care and intention she saw in her father and her mother.
Her strength and wisdom were matched by her adventurous spirit. From being a contestant in the 1967 Miss Indian America pageant in Sheridan Wyoming to traveling the world. Delberta immersed herself in diverse cultures and advocated for causes close to her heart, including youth empowerment, cultural preservation, and raising awareness about the crisis of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Relatives.
Delberta was married to Melvin Eagleman Sr. and together they had three daughters: Clarice, Melberta, and Delvene, whose lives she nurtured with her fierce love and guidance. She adopted Vern Eagleman Jr., and later Donald Alan Eagleman Sr, Melvin Leroy Eagleman Jr.
Jonathan Lee Eagleman, Cody Eagleman, Faith Marie Birdtail and David Mathison.
She played a pivotal role in the upbringing of her grandchildren who all hold a special place in her heart and her great-grandson, Reese, was a joy in her life these last few years.
Delberta was a passionate organizer who united grandmothers against violence. She rallied grandmothers in Lame Deer, Montana, where she lived before moving to Wolf Point. Wearing traditional beadwork and scarves as their ancestors did, the grandmothers marched twice through town to support one another and raise awareness about the devastating impacts of drug abuse and violence on the reservation. Delberta often spoke of her dream to bring this movement to the Fort Peck Reservation, determined to stand against the scourge of drugs and violence that touched her own children and that have left so many young in our communities parentless. Delberta’s strength and love was evident in the way she raised her grandchildren, stepping into the role of caregiver when addiction and violence touched the lives of those around her. With an open heart and unwavering dedication, she strived to provide a stable and nurturing home, ensuring her grandchildren felt safe, loved.
Delberta faced the deep heartbreak of seeing her family struggle with addiction, violence, and conflict, which often tore at the bonds she held so dear. Despite the pain she carried, she remained steadfast, raising her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with unwavering love and strength. In her quiet moments, she longed for healing and unity among her children, believing that they could find peace in their shared heritage and connection. Her greatest hope was for her family to come together, embracing culture, community, and the love that she always gave.
Delberta carried the weight of addiction and violence in her community with grace, choosing to respond with compassion and steadfast faith. She believed deeply in the possibility of change and the power of prayer to transform lives. She hoped her efforts to raise her grandchildren with love and resilience would inspire her family to break free from cycles of pain and rediscover the strength in their culture, traditions, and shared humanity.
Through everything Delberta appreciated experiences, whether she was savoring her favorite meals, chasing that perfect sip of ice-cold Pepsi, or finding joys in family, road trips, and taking a stand for justice when she could.
Delberta’s legacy is one of love, resilience, and devotion—to her family, her community, and the causes she championed. She will be deeply missed but forever remembered by those whose lives she touched. Before she passed, she gifted her name Hetohke’e, Star Woman, to her beloved nieces, Kristina Redbird and, Prairie Rose Seminole, daughter of Delbert Seminole Jr. to carry on.
Greeting Delberta in the ancestors camp are her parents Fannie and Delbert Sr., her husband Melvin Sr, her brothers and sisters: Rita Redneck, Marie Delores Seminole Poitra, Eva Mae Seminole, Duane Seminole, Mary Ethel Seminole, Joseph Seminole, Clarence Seminole, Delbert Seminole Jr., Howard Seminole, Marvin Cole, Irene Cole, stepson Vern Kenneth Eagleman, John Arnold Eagleman, Richard Eagleman, nephews, Dale Seminole, Randy Seminole, Daniel Seminole, grandchildren, Jarrod Preston LittleWhiteMan, Joshua American Horse
She is survived by her Daughters Clarice Eagleman, Delvene Marie Eagleman, Melberta Solano (Cresencio), Faith Birdtail, adopted sons Donald Alan Eagleman Sr., Melvin Leroy Eagleman Jr., Jonathan Lee Eagleman, Cody Eagleman, David Mathison, grandchildren Angel and Shawnee Bellymule, Zackery Kyle AmericanHorse, Jeremy Eagleman, Wallace Birdtail, John Melvin Birdtail, Amare Birdtail, Daniel Blackwolf, Mariah Blackwolf, Christian Eagleman, Elijah Eagleman, Spencer Littlewhiteman, Marissa Littlewhiteman, Verlin Littlewhitenan III, Jason Birdtail Jr, Alexander Sky Winter Valenzuela, Great Grandchildren Reese AmericanHorse, Joshua AmericanHorse Jr. Hayden Eagleman, Aubrey Eagleman Sisters Limana and Johanna RedNeck, Linda Brady, Lenora Wolfname, Bernice Seminole, Audrey Whiteman, Pauline Boxer, Brothers Rick Wolfname, Younger brothers,Gilbert D Walkslast Jr., John C Redneck, Nieces, Kristina Redbird, Sunshine Eagleman, Season Eagleman, Joseph Seminole Jr, Heather Seminole, Leslie Seminole, Cheyenne Seminole, Prairie Rose Seminole, Dakota Harmon, Tashina Seminole, Merri KillsRee, Eldora Poitra, Diane Poitra, Deb Poitra, Dottie Dickens, Vanessa Seminole, Elouise Seminole, Walking Woman Seminole, Nephews, Arty Blackwolf, Chad Eagleman, Clarence Seminole Jr. Joseph Seminole Jr., Fred Poitra, Julius Poitra, Ree Seminole, Simoine Seminole, Justin Seminole Sr. and Jules Blackhorse Seminole. Many more nieces and nephews. Her GrandChildren and Great Grandchildren.
To all our extended family we may have missed, Delberta loved all of you.
Delberta’s greatest wish for her family and community in which she prayed for was her family and community to embrace sobriety and healing, finding strength in our shared culture and connections together. She believed deeply in the power of tradition and community as a foundation for resilience and transformation, and her hope was that each generation would walk a path of wellness, and healing guided by the values of love, respect, and community.
The family is humbled and wants to extend gratitude to the Yellowstone River Nursing and Rehabilitation and Billings Clinic Hospital staff that attended to and cared for Delberta.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Saturday January 25, 2025
St. Labre Mission
Ashland, Montana 59003
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday January 25, 2025
St. Labre Cemetery
Ashland, Montana 59003
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Saturday January 25, 2025
St. Labre Mission
Ashland, Montana 59003
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday January 25, 2025
St. Labre Cemetery
Ashland, Montana 59003
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Ramey Growing Thunder says
May you fly high, Tunwin (Auntie), and rest in paradise! I love you and will miss you so much! Thank you for being a guiding light, continually supporting our cultural and language endeavors in Fort Peck, and standing up for what we believed in during our travels.
Barbara Perry says
Delberta, I will never forget our trip to Missoula, Melvin, you and I. We were in Melvins pickup. Sincere sympathy to the family. Rest in peace my friend 🧡 You will be missed!
Jennifer McMakin says
Auntie/mom you will be greatly missed by those who really knew you 🥰💜 love Jennifer & Patrick MCMakin & The Simpson Boys
Linda brady says
My sister beautiful inside & out.
Danna Runsabove says
Delberta, my friend, my Cheyenne Sister in Law. Thank you for your Cheyenne wisdom and stories you always shared with us. Thank you for your all your support and commitment to our girls, Ramey and Winona, for the efforts in creating and maintaining language and cultural. You deserve peace and happiness to be with your loved ones. We surely will miss you but we will see each other, over there.
The family of Bill Runsabove (Danna, Winona Rose, Walter and Jonna Ali)
Katie Thunderchild says
My sincere condolences to the family. We will definitely miss her. Our thoughts & Prayers are with your family.
Sharlene Evans says
My sister and role model, you were always fun to joke with and laugh with, you were always so loving and kind with your gentle soul and wise demeanor…my sister and I appreciate your love and guidance during times of need and hardship we will miss you forever. Until we meet again RIP
David & Chong Ae Boyd says
Delberta, you Melvin and I were some of the first graduates of FPCC. Prayers for you and your family. You were a great lady, teacher and role model for young women.
Floydamericanhose says
I always had respect for this lady rest in peace from the American horse s
Diana McLean says
RIp in peace, my Lame Deer Public grade school classmate. You were always a quiet classmate with great concern for others.
Jody says
I’m so sorry to hear of Delbertas passing. I danced at Chelsea with her. I was always so happy to see her. She was so welcoming and kind. I always appreciated that. Sending condolences, love and prayers to her whole family
Shari Daniels says
My sincere condolences to you all.
Jordan Grey Bear says
Auntie delberta your truly going to be missed by me and my kids and the only comfort I have is knowing you get to be with your Cuwe Phyllis whom you missed and I know you both will be watching over me and my kids so please tell everyone there I said I love and miss them all very very much ok I love you always and forever 💋 Rip auntie love you always and forever love Jordan Marie and kids
Chris Valentine says
My deepest sympathy to all her family. Delberta was a good woman.