Madeline “Shorty” Yellowrobe, Lightning Woman (Her Kiowa Indian Name), peacefully passed away from natural causes on September 25, 2023, at the Rosebud Healthcare Center in Forsyth, MT.
As a proud member of the Kiowa tribe of Oklahoma, Madeline is a 5th generation descendent of the great Apache leader Geronimo. She married into the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and she is the matriarch of the extended Yellowrobe families that spans across the Northern Cheyenne and Crow tribes.
Madeline was born on August 9, 1930 in Lawton, Oklahoma to parents Joseph Hadley and Ida Geionety. When she was 9 years old, she came to Montana from Oklahoma with her mother Ida and her sister Gladys in an old cattle truck and they made their home in Lame Deer, MT. where she grew up. At the age of 16 years old, she met and married the love of her life Moses Yellowrobe, Sr. on April 15, 1947 in Hardin, MT. They were happily married for 30 years and later divorced in 1977. They made their home in Busby, Mt. and to this union they had 10 children: Moses (Mary) Yellowrobe, Jr., Luther Yellowrobe, Sr., Jarvis (Esther) Yellowrobe, Sr., Matilda “Tilly” Yellowrobe, Morgan Yellowrobe, Ida Mae Yellowrobe Eastman, Jeannie Yellowrobe, Gladys Yellowrobe, Maynard (Jennie) Yellowrobe, Sr., and Donelda Yellowrobe. From her ten children, Madeline was blessed throughout her 93 years of life with 47 grandchildren, 135 great grandchildren and 32 great-great grandchildren. Her legacy will live on through her large family.
Madeline was a big fan of the Busby Eagles and traveled with her 3 older boys, Moses, Luther, and Jarvis to their basketball games & tournaments near and far. She was their biggest and loudest cheerleader. She could be heard clear across the gym! She loved to play bingo when she had the chance to try her luck. Madeline was a darn good pool shark and she had her own team for the Corner pocket in Hardin. They were the team to beat and would always place 1st in various pool tournaments. She enjoyed spending time at pow-wows and sundances. She loved to play card games with family and friends, always requesting to play her favorite card game, T-A. Madeline had multiple chihuahuas that she named “Lobo”. Her first chihuahua was a special gift from her oldest son, Moses Jr., whom she had for years. She loved all her “lobo’s” the same. She had a kind, loving and beautiful soul and did not turn anyone away that was in need. Her home was always open.
Survivors include: her grandchildren: Delano Harris, Melissa Brown, Moses Yellowrobe III, Donna “Shortie” Yellowrobe, Teresita Yellowrobe, Luther Yellowrobe, Jr., William Yellowrobe, Sr., Garrett Yellowrobe, Lucinda Yellowrobe, Loveda Yellowrobe, Clarette “CJ” Yellowrobe, Jarvis Yellowrobe, Jr., Nikita Redfox, Juliane Yellowrobe, Judith Yellowrobe, Mandy Stewart, Norman Stewart, Jr., Morgan Stewart. Chahoristah Eastman, Alan Eastman, Sr., Michael Eastman, Jr., David Wick, Sr., William Wick, Jr., Christy Schultz, Luann Wick, Tre’ Wick, Sr., Wesley Linsebigler III, Christal Linsebigler Cuomo, Belattereta Linsebigler, Jericho Geionety, Malachi Geionety, Kegan Geionety, Kendra Brownell, Adrian Bravo, Maynard Yellowrobe, Jr., Vaughn Yellowrobe, Latasha Yellowrobe, Tia Yellowrobe, Jalen Russell, Kendall Russell, Mikayla McLeod, Rachel Burland, Justice Burland, and Jodi Burland.
Madeline is proceeded in death by her parents, Harold Hadley and Ida Geionty; her children: Tilly, Luther, and Ida Mae; Grandsons: CPL Vydel Yellowrobe, and Jacob McLeod, Jr.; Sister: Gladys Hadley Bigback; Nephew: Larry Bigback Sr.; Nieces: Geraldine Bigback, Christine Bigback, and Marie Bigback Brady; Great-Grandchildren Nicholas Nightwalker, Sopheria Little Coyote, and Dale Brady III. Her special friend, Imogene Teeth Risignsun, who’s friendship she cherished and had many fond memories with her.
We would like to give a special Thank You to the staff at the Rosebud Healthcare Center, Forsyth, MT for taking care of our mother.
We find solace in knowing she is now in a better place. May she rest in eternal peace. We love you Mom♡
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Friday September 29, 2023
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday September 30, 2023
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday September 30, 2023
Lame Deer Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Friday September 29, 2023
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Saturday September 30, 2023
Lame Deer Mennonite Church
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Saturday September 30, 2023
Lame Deer Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
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Janice Rae Little Whiteman says
Awe Shorty it was nice knowing you I liked visiting you always had an smile travel home safe
Donna Wick says
Condolences to the family. She will be missed, she was tough. Hugs and prayers to my yellow robe grandkids.
Carrie Braine says
Condolences to the Yellowrobe family. Shorty was a legend and proud of her children and grands. One of a kind lady who will be missed. Prayers for each of you.
Amos Two Babies says
Our condolence and prayers to the yellowrobe family.My Grandmother was her Aunt Maggie Two Babies thoughts and prayers from her Family from Oklahoma
Angelina Bates says
Our deepest condolences and prayers for the family, My late husband, Melvin Bates always had stories to tell, and nothing but love for Shorty, what a reunion they are having now. Sending our love and prayers for u all. Blessings and comfort always, God bless each of you at this time.
Sheri Bigback Bement says
Nėstaévȧhósevóomȧtse Grandma Shorty 🙏🏽 and a safe journey. Sending our prayers and condolences to the family.
Earlene Teeth Clown says
My mother, Imogene and Shorty were best friends. I always thought that they were sisters growing up, they were just Oklahoma girls that moved to Busby in the name of love. She has always been my Auntie. Rest in peace.
My condolences to her Children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Gail (Stearns) Bird says
You lived a long, productive life! Peace and prayers to your family.
Laurie Lelm says
Maynard and family, I am so sorry for the loss of Maddie! She was a special lady. I loved visiting with her she always made me laugh. Prayers for you and your family.
Kimberly Big Back says
Being Larry BigBack Sr. Oldest child, I had the opportunity to grow up at Grandma Shorty and Great- Grandma Ida as my parents went to visit often and my dad was very close to his brothers and sisters. Since my grandmother passed when my father was young, he looked at Shorty as a mother figure. Which brought me to know all my aunties and uncles. Thank you grandma Shorty for being a part of my life and thank you great-grandma Ida for teaching me Apache(salt and pepper). Tell my grandma Gladys I will meet her on the other side and give my daddy a big hug and kiss because I miss him everyday.