A cure was not meant to be, Maheo realized it was time for our sister, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, Della Mae Runsabove. She entered the gates of heaven on December 15, 2016 at St. Vincent hospital in Billings, MT. Della Mae Runsabove, Mene’ahe’e (Shell Woman) was born on October 26, 1949 to the proud parents Lloyd Runsabove and Margaret Elizabeth Redcherries at the Crow Agency Hospital. Della grew up on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation, a place she treasured very much. Della attended school at Lame Deer, Colstrip, and St. Labre. She later earned her GED and went on to attend cosmetology school in Missouri. Della later moved to Chicago, Illinois, where she met and married Raymond George Johns, and to this union three children were born: Sherry Lee Johns of Denver, CO., Robin Rae (Anthony) Bustamante of La Juana, CO, and Reland Eli (Buffy) Johns of Helena, MT. They later divorced. Della later met and married Miller Crazymule and to this union one child was born, Millie (Curtis) Crazymule of Lame Deer, MT.
As a young girl, Della had a love for music. She was able to play music with silverware and a trash can. She loved to sing and dance. Her fondest memory was rolling a trash can to her mother’s window and playing music for her. In her teen years she joined Leroy Pines band, where she played the drums and sang. Another passion of Della’s was to write poetry for family and friends. Della had a big heart and a love for her people. She and her sister Julia Whiteman would make sandwiches and coffee, and deliver to the homeless around town, especially in the winter. Going to church and reading the bible to her kids was very important to her. She loved listening to her gospel music and Motown Music, and telling stories about her childhood and all her adventures. Della spent a lot of time in Sheridan, WY as a little girl with her great grandmother Lydia Wild Hog, and grandmothers Julia and Vita. It was Lydia that gave Della her Indian name. Della was also very proud to look like her grandmother Maude Collins and often spoke about the last time she had seen her. People would come to her home to feel safe and she’d always pray for them.
Della had a very generous heart and never failed to give stuff to others, whether it was the watch on her wrist or the shoes she was wearing. She had a great personality, and she loved to tease and give her loved ones silly names. She loved the outdoors and enjoyed camping, whether it was outside her house, revival, hills or a powwow. Della also loved the smell of fresh air after a good rainfall and loved country rides. Her favorite color was purple.
Della was preceded in death by her parents Lloyd and Margaret Runsabove; Grandmother Maude Collins; brother Lloyd “Cactus” Runsabove, Jr.; great-grandchildren : Zayden Anthony Ryan Busamente and Heaven Lei Sadie Johns; adopted sisters Julia Whiteman and Limona LittleBird; and her spouse Miller Crazymule.
Survivors include her four children; grandchildren: Kyler, Todd, A.J., Makayla, Rubin, Tori Jo, Tiana, Breanna, Trinity, Ashley, Brandon, Bryan, and Stephanie; great grandchildren: Alykih, Raylee and Rashad; Brothers: Bill (Dana) Runsabove of Fraser, MT., Floyd “Webby” (Gail) Runsabove of Lodge Pole, MT., and Leroy (Charlolette) Runsabove of Lame Deer, MT; Sisters: Rose Dillard of Ashland, MT., Georgia Runsabove and Margaret “Maggie” (Merlin), both of Lame Deer, MT.; cousins that were like sisters include: Lori Jo, Barbara, and Roberta Collins of Ashland, MT., Ruby Posey of Ft. Washakie, WY., to name a few; uncle Adolph “Rock” (Carol) Redcherries; adopted brothers: Clinton Birdhat, Steve Littlebird, Max Guavera and Ernie Posey; special sisters include: Georgia Ann Burns, Dolores Shoulderblade, Event Killsnight, Marlene Walksnice, Theresa Crazymule, Inez Wilson, and Katherine Russell.
Della was a direct descendant of Sweet Medicine Chief, Chief Little Wolf, Chief Wild Hog and William Red cherries, Chief of Council 44 on her Cheyenne Side and a direct descendant of Chief Red Cloud and Chief Iron Tail on her Oglala Sioux side. Della was very proud of her heritage. Her extended families include Redcherries, Wildhog, Collins, Posey, Red Cloud, TallBull, Brokenrope, Cedarface, Chavez, Spotted Elk, Blackstone, Clubfoot, Killsnight, Small, Hiwalker, Twenty Stands, Lonebear, Medicine Top, Brady, Littlebear, and Weaslebears. Our family is large, please accept our apology if we left anyone out.
Very special thanks go out to the medical staff at St. Vincent’s and to Frank, Liz, and the other staff at Stevenson’s Funeral Home for their patience in working out the details for our dear Della.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 pm
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Wednesday December 21, 2016
Lame Deer Boys and Girls Club
Lame Deer , Montana 59043
Graveside Service
Wednesday December 21, 2016
Allison Bixby Gardens Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 pm
Tuesday December 20, 2016
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 am
Wednesday December 21, 2016
Lame Deer Boys and Girls Club
Lame Deer , Montana 59043
Graveside Service
Wednesday December 21, 2016
Allison Bixby Gardens Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
bernadette says
prayers for the family
Willow says
Prayers and Condolences to Della Mae Family
Georgia Ann Burns says
Della…you my sister…are now signing in heaven with the angels!! Tell Melissa and Joshua….Hi and send my love!!
Prayers of comfort to the family!!❤❤❤❤
Dorma says
Della, you will be greatly missed by your loving great-grandchildren, Raylee & Rashad TakesEnemy-Runsabove, whom you told they held a special place in your heart. You never ceased to tell them how much you loved them & how beautiful they are. Gonna miss seeing you at campmeetings, but we shall see you again on that great day. ❤??❤
Prayers to her family.
Andrita Harris says
My Deepest Sympathy and Prayers to the Family.
Michele Eaglefeathers says
My prayers are with the family at this time…Rest in peace Della…you will be missed
Dolores Shoulderblade says
Dear Millie, I am so sorry and pray for comfort for you.
Della was a very special person in my life , a woman of God, she had a gentle kind heart, I will never forget the times we spent together, laughing and joking . I will miss you but I know you are free now to be home in the Kingdom of Heaven with your father.Travel well sister hug my girls for me when you see them. RIP.
Geri Small says
Rest in Paradise Della❤ Love, Hugs and Prayers to the family.4
Lisa Limpy-Just says
Our heartfelt condolences to the family, especially to my special good friends Bryan and Stephanie. God bless and comfort you all in these trying times.
Laveta Old Bear says
condolences and prayers for Della’s family –
she was a special lady we had some fun times together going to church and visiting
I still have the poem she wrote for me – well, my friend you are walking in paradise now –
sing and fly high with the angels Della
we will meet again …
Porter & Ann Knows His Gun says
Deepest Condolences to the family
T. Kelly says
Though I know that this is a difficult time for you, my hope is that you will be comforted from God’s inspired word the Bible. John 5:28,29 and Revelation 21: 3,4 gives hope of a future resurrection and the complete elimination of death, pain and mourning. Under Jesus’ kingdom rule we have this and much more to look forward to. Please accept my deepest condolences.
Bonnie W. Bigback says
God will comfort each of you and give you peace. We do miss Della.
ashley says
I miss you Grandma so much, it hurts knowing your gone. R.I.P