A loving mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, and Sacred Woman (Sundance), Mary Shoulderblade, Ma’evehpota’e “Red Leaf Woman” went on her journey to Ma’heo after an unexpected illness on September 4, 2021. She traveled peacefully, with her family present at St. Vincent’s Hospital in Billings, Montana.
Mary was born on April 28, 1962 in Crow Agency, Montana to Wendell (Turkey) Shoulderblade and Ruth Blackwolf Shoulderblade. She attended elementary school at Lame Deer Public School and graduated from St. Labre in 1979. She attended college in Durango, Colorado and transferred to Chief Dull Knife College where she graduated with an AA Degree. She was employed with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe for 37 years in Human Services. Her commitment to the children of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe enticed her to become a board member for the ICWA Committee and the Boy’s and Girl’s Club.
She enjoyed attending Morningstar basketball games, powwows, handgames and her involvement in our traditional ceremonies. She lived a simple life and did not place much value on materialistic items but rather placed value on the virtues and values of being a strong Cheyenne woman. She had a big heart and did her best to help everyone that she came in contact with. Mary loved her family especially her grandchildren. They came first and foremost.
She is survived by her children Hadley, (Marie, Maria), Clint (Wendy), (Peyton, Dantrell, Joseph, Maisie), Clayton (Leslie), (Canyon, Cameron, Cody, Mckinlei, Shawntay, Renecia (Ellie), also her grandson, Pius whom she raised as her own, he was her everything. Her brothers Don (Ruthie) Shoulderblade (Keith (Jacklyn), Thomas (Dawnielle), Halona), Woodrow, Hubert (Sharon), Oran John Blackwolf, Calvin Brady Sr., Larry Sioux, Clayton Sr., and Horace (Bitsy), Clifford Small Jr. Sisters Wilma “Tiny” (Neil), (Austin III, (Tanya) Trustin, Jazzy, Rhianna), Reanna, (Renika, Sheneka), Geri Girl Small, Marcelline Shoulderblade, Shirley, Annette, Esther Brady, Irene Flying, Serena (Wayne) Wetherelt, Laura Lonebear, Jennie Lou LaFranier, Wanda, Gail, Carla Small, Thelma and Donna Fisher, Jamie Whiteman, Barbara Bement, Rita Hiwalker (Cedric) Julian and family. Aunt Jennie Parker. Nephews/ Nieces, Lawrence Neiss Jr. (Theresa) Jayven, Crystalynn (Gus), Sheila (Joel), Wendell (Anya), Thomas “Lynn”, Cleve, Bernadine “Spanky” (Valentine), Serena, Dennis Jr., Jarvis, Stacey (Ed), Talena, Tiffany, Tonielle, Derek, Donielle, Dyron, Detrich, Noranda, Janelle, Eric, Stella, Ivy, Pascal, Eugene (Marcie), Anthony, and Ben Shoulderblade, Alan (Becky), Darryl Blackwolf, and Sandy Bruised Head. Janet and Rick Wolfname, Joe Weaselbear, Special friends, Rogene Whiteman, Charlotte Whiteman, and Barbara Harris and family.
Preceding her in death, parents Wendell (Turkey) and Ruth Shoulderblade. Grandparents (Paternal) Pius and Ethel Woodenlegs Shoulderblade, (Maternal) Ben and Ella Walkslast Blackwolf. Daughter Starla Shoulderblade, brothers Bernadine, Wendell Jr., Francis, Vincent, and Dennis Shoulderblade, Walter, Fredrick and James Blackwolf Jr. Sisters Wendeline Neiss, Lillian Woodenthigh, Kathryn Shoulderblade, Leona Limberhand, Lavina Blackwolf, Wreatha Plenty Camps, Florence Blackwolf. Nephew’s Dustin Two Moons, Vaughn Shoulderblade, Nieces Pamela and Berdine Shoulderblade. Uncles James, Henry Blackwolf, Francis, Thomas Shoulderblade, Bernadine Fisher, Aunt’s Claudia, Fern Shoulderblade and Mary Wolftooth, granddaughter, Shetae Sandcrane, Brother in laws Lawrence B. Neiss and Austin Two Moons Jr.
Relatives are Shoulderblade, Blackwolf, Seminole, Walkslast, Fisher, Woodenthigh, Weaselbear, Starr, Wolfname, and Woodenlegs.
If we missed anyone please accept our apology. Mary comes from a large family. She loved each and every one of you.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
5:00 PM
Tuesday September 7, 2021
Clayton Neiss's Home
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Wednesday September 8, 2021
Clayton Neiss's Home
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday September 8, 2021
Shoulderblade Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
5:00 PM
Tuesday September 7, 2021
Clayton Neiss's Home
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Funeral Service
11:00 AM
Wednesday September 8, 2021
Clayton Neiss's Home
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
Interment
Following the Funeral Service
Wednesday September 8, 2021
Shoulderblade Family Cemetery
Lame Deer, Montana 59043
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Danetta F says
Oh Mary!! I am so sorry to hear of your passing. Please Go with God and dont look back…praying for your children and grand children…especially for Pius hes gonna miss you the most. Thank you for friendship over the years, Im gonna miss you too..
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
THE NORTHERN CHIEF COUNCIL EXTEND THEIR CONDOLENCES AND PRAYERS FOR STRENGTH DURING THIS MOST SAD, SORROWFUL AND MOURNFUL TIME FOR THE LOSS OF A BELOVED LOVE ONE.
Sue Parker says
My condolences to Mary’s family. RIP.
Tonielle Shoulderblade says
Auntie Mary I am gonna miss you so much there’s no words that will ease this heartache right now 💔❤️
Gaynell Real Bird says
Journey well my friend, sending prayers and my deepest sympathy to your family.
Donna Jean Small says
Mary, you were
one of the best. May you RIP!
George Birtic says
My most sincere sympathy on the passing of Mary. She was a very nice, kind and considerate person. She just went way to early.
Paula Hadley Sayers says
REST IN PEACE MARY, SO SORRY TO NOT VISITED YOU AFTER WE PARTED FROM FT LEWIS COLLEGE, YOU NAMED YOUR SON HADLEY (MY MAIDEN NAME), I named my daughter Cheyenne in remembrance of our friendship. I’ll cherish your friendship forever.