Eddie Whitedirt, most well-known as Butchie, departed for his final journey on October 14, 24. He was born on January 7, 1966, in Crow Agency, to the late Gilbert Whitedirt and late Virginia Spotted Elk-Whitedirt. However, his close family knew him famously as Conan or Pudgy. He was one of six children born to his family. His siblings included brothers Randy and Maclay, and sisters Doreen, Monica and Gilma (his birthday twin). Cecilia Medicine Elk adopted him and he gained 14 more siblings. Nahkôxhaa’eho’oesęstse, “High Bear”, was his first given Cheyenne name from his paternal grandfather Charlie Whitedirt’s brother. It is a name usually given to someone recognized as having a high status or held in high regard. Ma’eno, “Turtle”, was his second name given to him from his maternal grandparent’s side of the family. Eddie loved sharing with others his name Turtle, and he was able to give away this name four times in his life.
He was a well-traveled man who was always on the move spending years between the reservation, his teenage home in Utah, and some years working in Seattle, WA. From his time spent in various places, he accomplished varied education and work experience. Graduating high school from San Juan High School in 1984 in Blanding, Utah, and then obtaining an Associate’s Degree in Carpentry from Chief Dull Knife College in 1996. He often teased he had a Master’s Degree as a “Master of Disaster.” His work experience ranged from a wildland firefighter at eighteen years old, as a CNA with his mom at Four Corners Health Center in Utah, as a ranch hand for Arnie Bends, to Labor Ready in Seattle, as a construction worker at Tribal Housing, with many years at CHR as an outreach worker for the elders whom he spoke Cheyenne with and cared for deeply, and lastly as a cultural surveyor for the Tribal Historic Preservation Office. He was the eldest lead cultural surveyor tasked with sharing with the younger cohort his over a decade of survey skillsets, his traditional knowledge, Cheyenne history, and language to carry out this important work. He will be sorely missed as a mentor, friend, and colleague.
Some of Butchie’s favorite things to do was sing at various events and powwows, enjoying long visits with family members, arm wrestling with his nephews, showing off his barrels, traveling to historic places, going to traditional ceremonies, walking on the land during cultural surveys, working with horses, caring for the elderly, crafting different types of art, painting and repairing drums, making Christmas wreaths and picking medicines. Being an instructor for singing and historical presentations during school and community events was also another thing he enjoyed doing. However, he is mostly known as being a singer and drum keeper for the Hémo’eoxeso (Elk Horn Scraper) society and having a wealth of rarely known traditional songs. He was one of the few remaining song keepers for his society, and knew many important songs required in conducting our ceremonial way of life. His fluency as a Cheyenne language speaker and the work he did for language preservation with the elders at Chief Dull Knife College log cabin will also be greatly missed.
Butchie was a very kind and warm person who greeted everyone he met with a big smile and great respect, which explains why he was very popular and had far too many friends to name. He always enjoyed visiting with everyone when they needed conversation, and of course the story-telling and jokes were on point. He enjoyed maintaining things around the house and making sure the house and yard were always clean. We could count on him to fix just about anything for us. He always looked forward to traveling on the next adventure, and especially enjoyed traveling to Bear Butte often with his dad and helping him with ceremonies. They always traveled as committee members to the annual Fort Robinson Breakout commemoration to sing each year.
Preceding him in death are his parents, his adopted mother Cecelia Medicine Elk, sister Monica, brother Maclay, daughter Lisa, cousins Amy Jaure and Larry Whitedirt, Kristin and Marcus Sooktis, Bosco Whitedirt, Sam Spotted Elk, Jr., uncles Patrick Whitedirt, Sam Spotted Elk, Sr., aunts Inez Wilson, Adeline Spotted Elk, Mae Whitedirt, Lena Sooktis, Mary Whitedirt, Leona Little Wolf, and Lucy Littlewhiteman.
Survivors include sons Justin Three Fingers and Edison Whitedirt, his daughters Lucinda Yellowman, Addie (Patrick) Gross, and the baby Edie Marie Whitedirt. His previous partners he shared his children with and remained friends with are Suzette Cain Shreffler and Cindy Yellowman. Grandchildren Alannah and Jeanette Meuer; Erin, Lauren, and Mason Gross; Justin Jr and Asia; Ivey Mae Foote; Sta’shawn and Chanel Whitedirt; and one great-granddaughter Alisa. His siblings Randy, Doreen, and Gilma Whitedirt. Adopted sisters Rynalea Whiteman, Rosalie Tallbull, Joyce Knowshisgun, Doris Limberhand, brothers Dennis and Maynard Limberhand, and Gary Lightning. Uncles Navitt and Wesley Spotted Elk, aunt Imogene (Lafe) Dewey. He has many cousin sisters and brothers he grew up with and was close to, as well as many nieces and nephews far too numerous to mention.
Extended Relatives include Whistling Elk, Braidedhair, Tall Bull, Yellow Eyes, Fox, ElkShoulder, Spotted Elk, White Wolf, Medicine Top, Strange Owl, Limpy, Killsnight, Big Left Hand, Old Elk, Onion, Hunts Arrow, BirdInGround, Seminole.
Special friends include Dennis Limberhand, Gary LaFranier, Andy Richard, Deb and Tom Lutke, Conrad Fisher, Crawford Lonewolf, Tyrone Woodenlegs, Kathy and Clinton Harris, Patricia Rowland, son-in-laws John Meuer and Patrick Gross.
The family would like to express our most heartfelt appreciation to each person who has assisted us in our time of need, especially with the service arrangements and food provided. It is never easy losing a loved one unexpectedly, and making decisions is always tough. Hard days will come to us, but his spirit is free to travel with our relatives and ancient ones. Cry as needed and remember all the good times. The honor we give to Butchie is to live our lives well and mention him often, as this will make him happy to know that he is never forgotten.
Service Schedule
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday October 19, 2024
Whitedirt Family Cemetery
Muddy Creek, Montana 59043
Service Schedule
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday October 19, 2024
Whitedirt Family Cemetery
Muddy Creek, Montana 59043
Share
Rynalea Pena says
Brother gonna miss you 😭 I know you passed through the Milky Way to continue life with those that have gone on before us. Gonna miss you on this side but as we know in Cheyenne “We will see you again” love you little brother tell Mom we miss her too!
A3ch99 says
Eddie was one those people who made you feel welcomed and someone you could easily share a laugh with. I would meet up with him on firecrews and spent time with him at TC, awesome baller back in the day. Travel well.
Cecilia’s kids says
Eddie was adopted by Cecilia Medicine Elk & he became one of her own, even though she already had 14 kids of her own what was one more 😂Eddie spent a lot of time with Mom always checking up on her & usually spending the night or siting around visiting when him & our older brother Dennis Limberhand would stop by to drink coffee & tell stories. Eddie traveled a lot with Dennis working with the buffalo or going to sacred places that were significant to our Cheyenne people or just cruising. Eddie was our younger brother who we loved much. We used to tease him cause Mom treated him like a real younger brother always babying him which he loved 😂
He will always be a part of us & we will cherish the loved he shared with us ❤️ I’m gonna miss seeing him & hearing him saying Sister how you doing? no matter where we were. Eddie is sure gonna be missed by us all. Love you Eddie from your sisters Rosalie Tallbull, Joyce Knowshisgun, Doris Limberhand, Rennie Whiteman & brothers Dennis & Maynard Limberhand & Gary Lightning
Diane Spotted Elk says
I know you’ve gone on to a better place. As I sit here and talk to your spirit I’m still in disbelief. Give hugs to everyone of our relatives (ancestors) that you’ve joined on the otherside of the milky way. You’ll be missed here.
Andy Richard says
Eddie was a good friend from the beginning of my time with the Nothern Cheyenne THPO office. Eddie and Gilbert accepted me without reservation and that was a humbling experience. Eddie had a great sense of humor and we had great fun on cultyral surveys. He kept the crew in good spirits and morale high. His depth of knowledge was deep and he loved the drums and singing. You will be missed my friend.
Arnie and Debby Bends says
Our condolences to the Whitedirt family. Butchie was a good friend and a really good ranch hand. He had a gentle and friendly manner which made him a favorite with the other cowboys. He will be missed. RIP Butchie.🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼
Steve Solise says
It’s been a while since we see each other. It’s was an honor to work with you on fire crew, engines. My condolences.
Friend says
Butchie, we will see you again in nextlife . Always remembered . Prayers for siblings and especially your Children