Erlyce Little Whirlwind, age 74, of Lame Deer

Dolly “Erlyce” Littlewhirlwind, 74, passed away during the early morning of October 15, 2024 at Billings Clinic surrounded by loved ones.  She was recently diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  We thought we would have more time with her however, cancer does not have pity on no one and took her way sooner than we thought.  Ma’evehpota’e “Red Leaf Woman” was born on March 2, 1950 in Lame Deer, Montana.  She was the daughter of Martha Walks Along.  She came from a very large family and was loved by so many.

She was raised in Ashland, Montana along the Tongue River.  She attended school at Busby where she was a cheerleader.  She also went on placement through the Mormon Church.  She eventually received here GED and began her adult life.  She met her husband, James Frances Little Coyote, and from this union came Olympia and Mervin Little Coyote.  This union ended in October, 1976 when James passed away.  She then met Lawrence Wilson from Crow Agency and from this union came Paulette Wilson and Jeff McDonald.  She later met Dan Hunts Along and from this union came Jeanette, Daniel and Justin Hunts Along.  She then met Joseph Big Medicine who blessed her with her youngest son, Jordan.

Erlyce worked as a transportation driver for the Indian Health Service for many years.  She worked as a receptionist at the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Court.  She also worked on the roads during construction seasons.   She was an avid hand game player in her earlier years with Betty Bird and other Northern Cheyenne Juniors and Seniors.  She also attended a lot of camp meetings and revivals with her cousin Jeanette.  She was a real believer in Jesus Christ and believed in the Power of Prayer.  Erlyce was known for her famous frybread.  She was always asked to make fry bread for a lot of people for different occasions.  We may be a little biased but we know she was the BEST FRY BREAD MAKER on the Northern Cheyenne Reservation.  She invented the paco and she as known for them.  The family would request for them for birthday parties.  She also would sell them and people would wait for them.  She was our fry bread maker for the Muddy Grill and people knew it.  She put the Muddy Grill on the map because of her famous fry bread.   She attended the yearly Bear Butte trip with the Northern Cheyenne Boys and Girls Club for many years.  She also enjoyed cutting dry meat.  She enjoyed spending her free time playing bingo and keno machines at Charging Horse Casino.   She was a huge Montana Grizzlies and Denver Broncos fan.

She loved all of her grand children with all of her heart.  She also helped raise several of her grand children and great grand children who lived with her, Joshua, Peyton, Journey, Tristen, Tyler, Maya.  She did share a special bond with numerous grand babies and enjoyed being around all of them.  She also enjoyed spending time with the Elkshoulder grand children who had a special place in her heart.  They made it a point to come and see grandma Erlyce everyday to give her hugs and love.

Erlyce is survived by her 2 sons, Jeff (Rebecca) McDonald and Jordan (Caroline) Littlewhirlwind; Adopted children (nieces and nephews) Roger Oldmouse, Howard and Mellissa Ontiveros, Edina (Brian) Red Star, Ethel Brady, Cletis (Keri), Larry, Eric Lockwood, Joe, Anthony, Jolene, Martha Sue and Isaac, Avery Littlewhirlwind, Darlene, Maurice, Donavin (Kristen), Maxine (Leon), Enoch and Joe Limberhand, Maureen (Loy) Bryant, Faith Merrick, Kevin and Melissa (Niles) Lonebear.  Brother; Myron (Cheryl) Littlebird.  Step Brother; Vincent Whitecrane.  Adopted sisters; Margaret Risingsun, Rose Backer, Susie Wilsey, Theda Foote, and Clara Harris.

She is survived by her grandchildren; Jenell Little Coyote, Danielle (Eric) Greybull, Cornelius Tre Freemont, Herschel, Sherese, Torri, Hailey, Gabriel Little Coyote, Vince (Sam) Wilson, Johnny McDonald, Daniel Frye, Emaysha, Kessa and Tana Littlewhirlwind, Dillon Huntsalong, Cheyenne McDonald, Monica Chief at Night, Tynel (Valentine) Oldmouse, Terrance (Tiffany) Onebear, Mitchell, Rusty (Devin), Tevan (Brittney) Kiah (Seth), Laila Ontiveros, Brandy, Jaminsen (Mary), Jericho (Jericho) Ontiveros, Tyler Red Fox, Dalore , Samuel, Adrianna, Kimberly, Jeremy, Fred Jr. Deputee, Richard (Staci), Levi (Shay), Miranda (Darrin) SeesTheGround, Brian “Bubba” Red Star, Tianna Two Moons, Teesa (Dylan) Faulkner, Kenneth Crazymule III.

She had several special friends that included Mary Jane Limpy, Clemencia Stops At Pretty Places, Marty Twomoons, Larry Medicine Bull and her Missoula family.

She is preceded in death by her mother, Martha Walks Along. Her children, Olympia and Mervin Little Coyote, Paulette Wilson, Jeanette, Dan and Justin Huntsalong.  One grandson, Rueben Freemont.  Sisters, Anna, Deloris and Clara Littlewhirlwind, Laura Lonebear.  Brothers, Benedict, Joseph, Howard Littlewhirlwind and half brothers and sister, Joseph Jr., Aiden and Martha Littlebird.

Our family is very large. If we forgot to mention any one please forgive us in our time of grief.  Erlyce loved everyone.

Service Schedule

Traditional Wake

7:00 pm

Sunday October 20, 2024

Lame Deer Mennonite Church

Lame Deer, Montana 59043

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Funeral Service

11:00 am

Monday October 21, 2024

Lame Deer Mennonite Church

Lame Deer, Montana 59043

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Interment

Following the Funeral Service

Monday October 21, 2024

Allison Bixby Memorial Gardens

Lame Deer, Montana 59043

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