Lena Sooktis

Lena White Dirt Sooktis, 62, of Lame Deer, was called on her journey to the Next Camp on the evening of December 1, 2011 at her home in Lame Deer, the result of a long term illness.
Voestaa´e, "White Buffalo Calf Woman", was born on December 7, 1948 in Crow Agency to Charles and Julia Whistling Elk White Dirt, a descendent of Chief Crazy Head and the baby of 7. She was raised in the Muddy Creek area and received her education in Lame Deer and Busby. During her younger years, she loved to "cowgirl" and ride horses.
Lena married Charles "Butch" Sooktis Jr. on April 2, 1969 and they have been side by side for the past 42 years. To this marriage were born five children. They resided in San Francisco and Oakland, on relocation, returning to Billings and later the Reservation where Lena began a 26 year career with the St. Labre Indian School.
.Her parents; son Marcus; sister´s Lucy, Mary, Leona; and brother Patrick preceded Lena in death.
She is survived by her husband, Butch; daughters Tamera, Pamela, Jennifer (Matt) and Kristen; sisters; Mae White Dirt and Imogene Dewey; brothers, Gilbert White Dirt and Scott Dosier; adopted daughters, Lavonda High Walker, Christine Murphy; adopted sons, Don Rayoos, Ryan Burndt and Leonard Bauer; and 21 grandchildren; 4 great-grandchildren; and her remaining nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and adopted relatives; as well as her extended family including the White Dirt, Sooktis, Whistling Elk, Biglefthand, Tallbull, Brady, Seminole, Littlebird, Birdinground, Old Elk, Onion, and Yellow Eyes families. We have a large family, if we have forgotten anyone please accept our apologies.
We wish to thank the nurses and staff at the Lame Deer Clinic, NC Community Health Nurses, Advanced Care of Montana and the Billings Clinic and Dr. Hernandez and Marjorie Tevelin.
Wake services will be held 7 p.m. Sunday Dec. 4, at the Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Funeral mass will be celebrated 11 a.m. Monday Dec. 5, at the Lame Deer Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the White Dirt family cemetery on Muddy Creek.