Lee was committed to the growth of our People, investing great amounts of time advocating for the Northern Cheyenne Nation. He was elected to 7 terms on the Northern Cheyenne Tribal Council and also served on numerous boards and committees throughout his political career. He was elected to serve on the Chief Dull Knife College Board of Trustees in 1995, and continued until the time of his passing. Lee was well known throughout Indian Country for his knowledge and skills as a Cultural Authority, Spiritual Leader, and Traditional Healer. His commitment to Cheyenne traditions and covenants was reflected in his status as a Piercing Man, Sundance Priest, Arrow Priest, and Faster. He was a member of the Crazy Dog Society and Onehaae Society. He was also a devout member of the Catholic Church. His name is and will always be a part of the standard histories of the Northern Cheyenne People.
Lee Lonebear was a fourth generation descendant of Chief White Antelope, one of the first chief´s that was killed at Sand Creek. The compassion that he felt for those that were killed, led him to become the Chairman of the planning committee for the Annual Sand Creek Massacre Spiritual Healing Run and a founding member of the Fort Robinson Run. He was also a member of the Northern Cheyenne Sand Creek Committee. As a committee member he was invited to speak at congressional hearings and was instrumental in establishing the Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site, located in Colorado. While Lee served as Chair of the planning committee he was presented with the governor´s proclamation by Ernest House Jr., Executive Secretary of the Colorado Commission of Indian Affairs. He also witnessed the signing of the Sand Creek Massacre Site Study Act of 1998, by President William Jefferson Clinton.
Throughout his entire life, he traveled the pow-wow circuit singing and dancing. He also enjoyed the social aspects of Native American culture traveling the pow-wow circuit his entire life singing, dancing, gourd dancing. In addition, he sponsored Indian Relay Teams.
Lee and Manford Soldier Wolf organized and sponsored Northern Cheyenne youth boxing teams for 14 years. Following the boxing era, Lee and his wife, Juanita began sponsoring basketball teams. They traveled to the All West Native American Classic Basketball Tournament, held in Denver, Colorado for 11 years and numerous youth tournaments in Montana and surrounding states.
He was very proud of his children, grandchildren, nieces and nephews accomplishments, but he was especially proud of their athletic and academic endeavors. The pride that he had for his own children and the youth on the reservation is what gave him the desire to continue is work in the history of the Cheyenne culture and traditions, so that his children and the youth of the Northern Cheyenne will be proud of their heritage.
Lee is survived by his wife, Juanita; his sons, Robert Lonebear, Kevin Lonebear, Rielly Lonebear, Richard Lonebear and Jay Fraser; his daughters, Faithe (Kenny, Jr) Merrick, Bridgette (Keith Wynegar) Lonebear, Melissa Lonebear (Dale Campbell), Chasity Robinson (Larry LaFranier), Dixie (Dan) Garfield, and Yolanda (Stanley Hawley) Fraser, 32 grandchildren and 49 great grandchildren. He is also survived by his aunts Evelyn Flying, and Martha LaRance; his brother, George (Carmen) Scalpcane; sisters, Laura Lonebear, Leah Lonebear, Erlyce Littlewhirlwind, and Tessie Wolfvoice.
Lee was a proud enrolled member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe. The family ancestry generates from the Northern and Southern Cheyenne and Gros Ventre/Hidatsa and we acknowledge all of those families.
Lee and Juanita opened their doors and hearts to many, and had numerous adopted parents, aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, children, and grandchildren, far too many names to mention, and none to be forgotten.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake Service
19:00
Sunday September 11, 2011
Blessed SacrAMent Catholic Church in LAMe Deer
LAMe Deer, MT 59043
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00
Monday September 12, 2011
Allen Rowland Gymnasium in LAMe Deer
LAMe Deer, MT 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake Service
19:00
Sunday September 11, 2011
Blessed SacrAMent Catholic Church in LAMe Deer
LAMe Deer, MT 59043
Mass of Christian Burial
10:00
Monday September 12, 2011
Allen Rowland Gymnasium in LAMe Deer
LAMe Deer, MT 59043
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Alberta Nightwalker and KaShawn Jesus says
Condolences to you and your loss. Lee was a good man to everyone he met and will be missed dearly.
Karl & Jeri Zimmermann says
Thoughts and prayer are with you at this time.
Mary Dillon says
Dear Lonebear family—my sincerest sympathy to all of you. I find it comforting to know that we will see our loved ones again. You will all be in my prayers.
I appreciate Lee teaching me some songs in Cheyenne. He put them on tapes for me to learn. I will never forget that.
My love to you all
Mary and Jolyn Dillon
Blue Horse says
Rest In Peace. Many ha’ hos from a U.S. Soldier. -Blue Horse.
Shirley and Tom Skinner says
Family of Lee LoneBear,
You are all very special to me,and you are in my thoughts and prayers. Lee will be greatly missed. He was a wonderful person, and be comforted by the fact we will all see him again when we cross over. Much love to all of you.
John burns says
Thought and prayers go out to your entire family for your loss. Remember all the good times and also that our loved ones are in a better place now and that someday we will meet again. Sincerely John Burns and family…
Judy Harris says
My deepest condolences to Lee’s family. I have a deep respect for Lee. He always had something positive and encouraging to say whenever I saw him. He will be greatly missed.
Crystal "Willow" Stanfield & Family says
To Lee Lone Bear & Family
My prayers and condolence to your famiy, and may the Maheo bring peace and comfort at this time.
nicole says
Didn’t know him but know Cleveland Jr. Sympathy to all his family and friends and remember..he will always be w/ you. Nicole
tess wolfvoice says
so sorry cant make it. car situation.miss him and gertch. what we gonna do without him? he was who i always ask for advice and what to do in situations. i miss you all and love you.
James D. Jr. & Ann King says
Our deepest condolences to your family. Lee will be missed by so many- he touched so many lives and was such a role model for our youth. May God comfort and keep at this time of great loss.
Michelle Edelman says
Words cannot express the sorrow I feel at your loss. My heart aches for you.
Carissa Whitewolf says
My condolences to the family and friends of Lee , my god watch over you and keep you in his blessings through this tough time. He will always be remembered for the great leader and roll model that he was.
Dean & Carrie Small says
Our thoughts and prayers are with the your family.
Roy Sr., Jr., Stephanie, Bernadine & Bryan Fisher says
Condolences to the Lone Bear Family. Lee had played a special part in all of our lives. My son got to know him in his travels with his grandpa to Sand Creek events. He would always greet Roy Sr & Jr by calling them “Roy Foy” and always ask Sr. how lil foy was doing. Roy Sr. also spent a lot time and has a lot of good memories traveling to Denver for basketball. He also taught Roy Sr. a thing or two about cutting hair. He told him “you won’t get it right unless you do it yourself”.
DONAVIN & LORI LIMBERHAND says
ARE PRAYERS ARE WITH YOU ALL WE ARE BLESSED THAT GOD GAVE LEE TO TOUCH EACH AND EVERYONE LIVES HE WILL BE SOO MISSED .
Charles & Donna Bearcomesout says
Our sincere condolences to Lee Lonebear family, Lee touched alot of lives and will be remembered.
Denise Swank says
to my brothers and sisters i love you all and I am with you in this time of sorrow, I pray with you I grieve with you and I love you all. take care and be strong..
Georgia Burns says
My prayers go out for all of you. Lee was a good man, he always had encouraging and positive tings to say to me. He will be missed. I am unable to be there for the services. My thoughts and prayers to all of you. May God Bless you and help all of you with your grief.
Mary Passmore says
Our thoughts and blessings are with you all! Kirk,Mary, & Rachel Passmore
Judith Bilger says
My prays are with you all!
Rabbit Knows Gun says
To the Lonebear Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you during this very difficult time.
Rabbit Knows Gun and Family
Bill and Danna Runsabove says
We offer our sympathy and prayers to all of you. We are unable to make it to the funeral but our thoughts are with all of you.
Bill and Danna Runsabove
Walt and Kassie Runsabove $ children; Winona Rose Runsabove & children.
Clayton Sanchez says
I am preying for the family to take it not so hard but I know that it is hard but my thoughts and preys are with the family I know lee for about four years he was a good man and we all are going to miss him so much I will keep you all in preyer
Ellen Conroy says
My deepest condolences to the family. He left a great legacy in his many children and grandchildren. It was a pleasure and privelege to have known him. He was truly a spiritual man – the kind you felt good to be in his presence. He will be missed by many. Thank you. Ellen Conroy, Park Ranger, Badlands National Park, former Ranger at Sand Creek Massacre National Historic Site.
jamie Whiteman says
Hugs and prayers for al the family..
denise swank says
RIP Uncle Lee – may all our relatives have peace here on Mother Earth with you in the Heavens above looking down on all of us. Take Care you all and know that he is a great place.
Kellye Haughian Thompson says
Kevin, Melissa & family,
I am so sorry for the loss of your Dad. Please know you are in my thoughts and prayers.
George Birtic says
So sorry to hear of this untimely loss of Lee Lonebear. What a good father and grandfather and role model for so many young Cheyennes. He will be missed but not forgotten.
Marie Washington says
To Auntie Laura, Melissa & Family
My family sends you our deepest sympathy and love and will keep you and the family in our prayers and heart always.
Marie Washington & Family
East Palo Alto, CA
Byron Strom says
I was very sad to learn of Lee’s passing this evening. Last November I was honored to share the unveiling of the plaque for Silas Soule at 15th and Arapaho in Denver. Lee and I shared the common bond of Sand Creek. Both of our ancestors/relatives died because of that action. I hope that you, his family, will take comfort that he was a good man who taught his family their history, and that he worked for peace, as did his ancestors.
Byron Strom
great great nephew of Silas Soule
Russ Silagy says
I was sorry to hear of Lee’s passing. I didn’t know until a couple days ago when I was browsing the web. Lee worked for me as a barber in Cleveland when he was 18 years old and fresh out of barber college. He was an excellent barber as well as a person. I would love to talk to anyone in his family if you so choose. My email is attached.
Sincerely,
Russ Silagy
Milo Colton, PhD, JD says
A great warrior and human being has walked on. In 2008, I, my wife Anita Sue, and my son Dallas were invited by Lee to take part in the burial of remains of Sand Creek Massacre victims. He also made it possible for me to reconnect with a childhood friend Charles “Butch” Sooktis. My sincerest condolences to his family and the Northern Cheyenne.