Derek Whitedirt, age 32, of Arizona formerly of Lame Deer

Derek Vernon Whitedirt aka Badger and D-Rock, began his journey home on March 24th, 2025 at Banner Desert Medical Center in Mesa, AZ. He told his family that he wanted to live, and he did, by fighting a courageous battle for three long months. He is resting now.

Mo’o’hno’keoo’estse (“Elk Stands Alone”) was born on August 30th, 1992, at Crow Agency, MT to the late Monica Whitedirt and the late Vernon Shields. His childhood name “Young” was given to him by Clarence Medicine Top. He received his second name from his grandfather Gilbert Whitedirt after completing this third Cheyenne ceremonial fast. Derek was a proud Northern Cheyenne man. He is also Assiniboine & Sioux from Fort Peck on his paternal side.

Derek grew up alongside his younger brother Casey and was instrumental in caring for his younger siblings Casey and Nasheena. He was always by his mom and many aunts, uncles and cousins in Sweet Medicine in Lame Deer where he spent most of his life. You could find him playing basketball or playing outside near the creeks with his many brothers and sisters, including his many cousins who were his siblings in Cheyenne kinship.

Derek grew up in a traditional household and at age 17, Derek did his first fast at Snowcone Hill with his grandpa in Muddy Creek and his last one at “Noah’vose” Bear Butte, South Dakota. His painter was the late Clovis Wilson and Gilbert Whitedirt. He fasted for a total of three times.

He was often the little ones’ favorite uncle. His brother Casey gave him the incredible honor of letting him name his goddaughter Katawna Bree Whitedirt. Casey knew that nothing would happen to his baby girl if his big brother was there. Derek would often have to watch kids for some reason. He would often get stuck watching his nieces and nephews. In a sense, he raised more than just his little brother and little sister. One of these is Lucki White Dirt’s son, Paul, whom he raised for several months.

Derek’s educational journey started when the family moved to West Side. Here, like many others, he attended Kindergarten LDES. After Kindergarten, he began elementary and junior high schooling at NCTS in Busby, MT. Derek made sure him and his brother made it to school even when they missed the bus. Eventually, he would have to make sure our little sister Nasheena made it as well. Others tell stories of having to pick them up on the side of the road hitchhiking to Busby. They quickly learned that trying to go back home wouldn’t be in their best interest.

Derek then transferred to Lame Deer High School where he joined the Future Farmers of America with his advisor and family friend Sherri Roberts (Doug). He was a valued member by helping create the local FFA farm as well as raising chickens. Here, he raised his award-winning chickens “Maynard” and “Rocky the Rooster”. Sherri states that Derek made Montana history by being the first Native American FFA member to win the State FFA Proficiency Award as well as the State FFA degree alongside his good friend Terence Limberhand. He broke barriers. Derek would then eventually graduate from LDHS with his high school diploma.

After graduating, Derek enjoyed life in Soldier Gulch. He would have friends over all the time visiting, many of whom our mother took as her own. Many of his friends would often come to chill with him. He always welcomed everyone and was kind to all of those he crossed. After a while, Derek made the decision to be sober and attended Apache Health in Apache Junction, Arizona on February 15th, 2022. Here, he met many friends and eventually became a driver and big brother to those in their fight for sobriety. As always, he won the hearts of many, such as his self-proclaimed “owner” Tara Brown and good friend Depree Sharp.

While down at Apache Health, he met the love of his life Sara Muchvo of the Tewa/Hopi from the Hopi Reservation. Derek and Sara then left Apache Health and began their life together in Gilbert, AZ. Derek began working as a BHT for a recovery home then transferred to a maintenance job at Days Inn so he could spend the nights at home with Sara. Derek enjoyed staying home playing his video game, making his dreamcatchers, and just being around his love. Derek would always want to go for a cruise when we got “bored” at home so he and Sara would take long drives, talking about the future, making plans of traveling and his first stop was his homelands to show Sara where he was born and raised. Derek and Sara enjoyed going to family dollar stores, the mall, the movies, the park, and just spending all his days with Sara. As long as he was with his love everything was perfect. Derek always had fun when he was around Sara whether it was playing with each other, tickling each other, swimming, cooking together and enjoying every holiday and birthdays with her. Derek and Sara didn’t have any children but they did have their stuffed elephant who they named Rumbo and Derek’s car Sonic Whitedirt. Derek definitely loved his “Buhbug” and they both made a happy home together where they cherished each other and made a lot of memories together. After Derek ended up in the hospital in January, Sara never left his side. She was there from sun up to sun down. She would often call us to keep us updated on Derek’s status as well as start the group chats when he was too weak or sleeping. Derek truly loved Sara with all of his heart.

Derek is preceded in death by his parents Monica and Vernon; maternal grandparents Gilbert Whitedirt and Virginia (Spotted Elk) Whitedirt; paternal grandparents Kenneth Shields, Sr, and Serena Good Soldier; uncles Eddie “Butchie” Whitedirt, Maclay Whitedirt; brothers Casey Whitedirt, Randy “Dasher” Whitedirt, Jr.,August Whitedirt, and those that he loved and cherished.

He is survived by his partner Sara Muchvo; sisters Teanna Limpy, Nasheena Whitedirt, Addie (Patrick) Gross, Lucinda (Isiah) Yellowman, Shamiekwa (Andrew) Juarez; brothers Terrance ( Misty) Limpy, Romer Jaure, Jesse Jaure Jr, Wyatt Whitedirt, Edison Whitedirt, and Evander Whitedirt; Uncle Randy (Dorothy) Whitedirt Sr; Aunts Gilma Whitedirt, Doreen Whitedirt, Arleda Shields, and Cheryle Cantrell; special aunts Elrena Whitedirt and Susanne Littlewolf; grandpa Wesley Spotted Elk; nieces Hayley Limpy, Katawna and Liyanna Whitedirt, Ivey Foote, Erin and Lauren Gross, Andra Juarez; nephews Sta’shawn Whitedirt, Mason Gross, Duke Longie, and MaClay Limpy. Derek’s extended families are Spotted Elks, Shields, Cantrelle, Good Soldier, and Spotted Elks. Please forgive us if we didn’t mention your name as our family is very large.

Thank you to Banner Desert Healthcare Systems and the doctors and healthcare workers who assisted Derek in his fight. You gave us more time with our brother. Thank you to Stevenson and Sons Funeral Home for the services and coordinating Derek’s journey home from Arizona. Heartfelt gratitude to Pamela Littlewolf for taking extra care of the siblings and Sara while in Mesa.

If you are battling addiction, please reach out to someone. All you need is that one special person to change your life. Keep fighting the good fight.

Service Schedule

Traditional Wake

6:00 pm

Wednesday April 2, 2025

Circle of Life Lutheran Church

Muddy Cluster, Montana 59043

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Funeral Service

11:00 am

Thursday April 3, 2025

Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church

Lame Deer, Montana 59043

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Interment

Following the Funeral Service

Thursday April 3, 2025

Whitedirt Family Cemetery

Muddy Creek, Montana 59043

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