Fernando was born on a cold winter night February 8th, 1960 to Harry and Annie Joyce Littlebird in Ashland, MT on the banks of the mighty Tongue River. Our Husband, Dad, Grandpa, Papa, Brother, and Uncle went to heaven the afternoon of October 5th, 2020 at age 60. He was the seventh born of thirteen children.
Fernando began his education at Lame Deer Public School and later went on to the LDS Placement Program for school in Idaho. He then attended Brainerd Indian School in Hot Springs, SD where he met the love of his life. When first laying eyes on her, he said he knew he was going to marry Iylene Jo, and they did on August 26th, 1977 at 17 years old. From this union they had four children: Heather, Winona, Fernando Jr., and David. He also loved his South Dakota Family and visited them as much as he could throughout the years. Once in the winter of 1985, he walked to South Dakota in a blizzard to spend Thanksgiving with his girls. Farmers in Newell had been on the lookout for him to be picked up by his father-in-law.
In 1980, he joined the U.S. Army and attended boot camp at Fort Jackson, South Carolina where he was training to become a radio operator. Though he fought to stay in the Army as he wanted to make a career of it, he was medically discharged.
Fernando was undeniably a family man and never failed to mention how grateful he was to be rich in family. Each of his children graduating from highschool and some even going onto college was something he was incredibly proud of as a father. He was even able to see his first grandson, Judas, graduate in May. He took on the role as father to raise Isabella, his “baby girl”. Fernando also had an exceedingly special bond with his sister, Emma King, whom he always tried to lend a hand and do what he could to help as well as with Rynalea Pena. To his nieces and nephews he was known as a father figure and “Grandpa Fernando” to all of his siblings’ grandchildren and a “favorite” to many of them. As a diehard New England Patriots fan, Fernando enjoyed watching football and sharing this passion with his family.
As a hard-working man, he held many occupations throughout his life which he enjoyed performing to the best of his abilities and never ceased to go above and beyond his required duties. Fernando was exceptional in his independent beadwork as well as, with Cheyenne-O-Designs. Because of how precise and beautifully articulated his work was particularly on belt buckles with porcupine quillwork accenting the beauty of his star designs, this was something he enjoyed. He also made bolo ties, barrettes, and other fine pieces of beaded jewelry that would sell quickly and was known worldwide. In addition he spent fourteen years as a maintenance worker at NCUC where he taught himself to operate the backhoe, time as a gas attendant at Cady’s, years as a custodian at NCTS; and was on the TERO board from 2012-2016.
As much as we would love to have him here with us longer, we know he has been called home by those who have preceded his death: his parents Harry Sr. and Annie Joyce; sisters: Aurelia, Ginger, Serena, Limona; nieces: Juanita and Denise; granddaughter: Taneisha; Nephew: Charlie; Father & Mother in law: Henry & Freda, Violet; in-laws: David and Darlene; adopted father: Louis Sr.; adopted son: Clyde.
Ferenando is survived by his life’s love: Iylene; daughters: Heather, Winona (Shandon), Shannon, Cheryl, Shyanne; sons: Fernando Jr., David, Drey; “his princess:” Isabella; grandchildren: Judas, Joycee, Samara, Landen, Shaiden; siblings: Glenn (Lillian), Steve, Theresa, Ruth (Mark), Harry, Richard (Claudine), Rosie (Sam), Leo (Berta), Roland; adopted mother: Rosella; adopted siblings: Reginald Sr. (Marcel), Louis Jr., Reynard, Darrell Sr., Samantha (Darla), Lois(Thomas),Ferland; adopted brother: Charles; adopted children: Jay Jay, Zachary, Tristan, Cree; His foster parents Virgil and Jeanetta Taylor; friends: Coolidge, Loy, Mathew, Scharlmaine, Cordelia, Jennifer, Jimmy SW, Freddy, Frankie, Darren, Jimmy S. We acknowledge Fernando had an abundant circle of family and friends who were close and hope we did not leave anyone out.
Jay & Carla Johnson says
Deepest condolences to the Littlebird family in the loss of Fernando. Stay strong for each other as he starts his journey to the other camp. Cherish the memories until you all meet again. God bless all of you!
Donna Roundstone S.E.. says
F1ernando Little Bird family, sending condolences to Ilene & kids. Went to school @ Busby & served on the TERO Board with him. It was nice to have worked with him, we had some good laughs! RIP friend, May Maheo be with all those you have left to enter the next camp…
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
TO THE FAMILY OF FERNANDO LITTLEBIRD, SR., THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR SINCERE CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF A BELOVED LOVE
Dean W.Bull says
Uncle
See you on the other side.
Rest in Paradise.
Carla M. Bluecoat says
My condolences to Iylene n children 💖prayers for the next coming days, weeks n years🥺💔please remember you will be in our prayers.
Marsha Dupris-LeBeau says
My condolences and prayers to Iylene and children, as well as other family members. You will be in my daily prayers always, there is a long road ahead of you and my heart is broken to hear you have to go through this, just remember you will see him again. God bless you cousin, from Marsha Dupris-LeBeau and family
Tammy Anthony says
Iylene and family:
Tom and I would like you to know that we thinking of you with lots of prayer. Hang onto those special memories as they will help you through your grief!
Tammy and Tom Anthony
Sheridan
Leonard Elk Shoulder Jr says
RIP Uncle Fernando… I always enjoyed talking with you when I saw you… my condolences to his wife and kids…
Roy & Stephanie Fisher, Sr. says
Sure enjoyed working with Fernando at TERO. Never a dull moment. He would always talk smack about my Steelers. My condolences to his family.
Jerry Yellowhawk says
Dear Ilene and family,
We are so sorry to hear the passing Fernando. We have prayed for him but the Creator has other plans for him. We will miss him, but he is free now from all suffering. May God bless all of you is our prayer.
With deep sympathy, Gerald and Johanna and family.
Juanita Murray says
Dear Fernando’s family,
I am his “foster sister” Juanita Taylor Murray. My families prayers are with you. We were grateful for the two years he got to live with us here in the Deer Park Washington area. He is my little brother. I was so happy to see him and his family when they came to visit us several years ago. I am praying for you as you continue on and I am sure Fernando is waiting to see you again someday.
Juanita Taylor Murray
Stephen Yellowhawk says
Prayers and love going out to Fernando’s family. May the creator God continue to comfort the family during these sad times. Love you all! Rest In Peace uncle Fernando!
Rayford Gray says
Prayers and condolences from Fernando’s Southern Cheyenne relatives! Mary Ann Gray, Rayford Gray, and Family, including Tristan White Buffalo, who he adopted as his son. Tristan has nothing but good memories of the time he spend with our Northern relatives. Our hearts go out to Stevie, Theresa, Rosie and his family. He was a good and generous man, which shows by his extended family.
Rest in Peace Fernando!