On the morning of October 12, 2012, Monica Whitedirt, Neme’oona’e (Crooked Pipe Woman), began her journey back home to the spirit world. She was welcomed home by Mahe’o, her mother Virginia, her brother Maclay, and the rest of her loved ones who’ve gone before her. She went to a heavenly world, where happiness is in abundance and where suffering is non-existent.
Monica was born on December, 11, 1968, and is the daughter of the late Virginia Whitedirt (Spotted Elk) and Gilbert Whitedirt. Coming from a traditional family with a rich heritage, she grew up learning and cherishing the ways of the Northern Cheyenne. Her parents were her greatest influence when it came to learning the Cheyenne way of life. Monica was proud to carry on these ways, as she fasted in the Sundance, with the sacred hat, and with Elizabeth Braidedhair in a tipi at snow cone hill to complete her vow. She always cooked for her brother Dino Spotted Elk at Sun Dance. Also, she was a follower of God, and often recited some of her favorite verses in the bible to those around her.
Growing up, she spent countless hours riding horses with her brothers and sisters. Her dad raised her to be a tough cow girl. You could see this in the way she carried herself. She was a tough woman with an insurmountable amount of strength and courage, keeping her boys in line when need be. Many of her relatives looked to her for strength when they needed someone to talk to.
Monica had many accomplishments in life she was proud of. Her proudest accomplishment was being a successful single mother. Her role as both a mother and father kept her very busy, and she worked with diligence to give her children the best life she could. Through all her struggles she preserved as a college student. Monica graduated from Chief Dull Knife College in 1995 with an A.A.S. degree in Applied Science. This led her to become a Secretary, which she did for the majority of her working career. Many of her jobs were with the Northern Cheyenne tribe, managing the offices of various departments.
The most important things she stressed were the value of family and respect for one another. She emphasized this to her children and loved ones, by constantly reminding them to always love and care for one another. Monica loved all those around her, with all her heart. You could notice this in the way she carried herself, as she was always smiling and greeting people wherever she went. Her mere presence could light up anybody’s day. She always had visitors at her home, and her home was the first place many people went when they came home to visit. She always made extra food at every meal, because she knew somebody was going to come over with an appetite, especially her boys whom she made big pots of food for.
Monica was eagerly awaiting the arrival of her first grandchild. She couldn’t wait to meet her little “peanut”, as she liked to call her unborn granddaughter Katana Bree. Mom only had a few two more months before December to meet her new baby. She always talked about how baby was going to change her life, and how she was going to be the best grandmother Katana could have. Baby girl was all Monica could talk about at times. Casey wants mom to know that his daughter will know about her amazing grandma, as he promises to tell his daughter about her every day.
Monica was the backbone and strength of her family. Never was there a time when she wasn’t there for someone in need. Although Monica shattered many hearts and left everyone speechless, her children and loved ones will continue to live life through her in the best way possible. She left this world far too soon, but Mahe’o had a greater plan for her. She journeyed through this life in a heavenly way, with a lively heart that embraced all that was around her. Monica in a place where she will forever be safe in Maheo’s keeping. She is now looking down on us from heaven, watching over us all, and being the protector she always was. She merely went to heaven to prepare her home for the rest of us all.
Monica is preceded in death by her grandparents, Charles and Julia(Whistling Elk) Whitedirt, August and Margie(Medicine Top) Spotted Elk; aunties Lena, Mary, Lucy, Leona; uncles Pat Whitedirt and Sam Spotted Elk; her mother Virginia; brothers Maclay, Bosco, Herbie; nephews August Whitedirt and Deon Seminole. Survivors include her father Gilbert Whitedirt, whom she loved and cared for deeply; her daughters Teanna and Nasheena, sons Terrance (Jodi), Romer, Derek, Casey (Taylor), and Jesse; adopted children Tim Spottedhorse, Shaina Russell, Gareth Headswift; brothers Eddie (Suzette) Whitedirt and Randy Whitedirt; sisters Gilma Whitedirt and Doreen Whitedirt; aunts Imogene (Lafe) Dewey and Mae Whitedirt, Adeline Spotted Elk; uncles Navitt(Maxine) Spottedelk and Wesley(Bonnie) Spotted Elk. Her namesake, Addie Whitedirt, whom she gave name (Neme’oona’e) to. Monica is also survived by countless others who loved her immensely, especially her numerous nieces and nephews who also called her mom, as she was a mother to everyone who came into her life. Please excuse us if we failed to mention you, as were are experienced an extremely difficult time of grief. We did not expect to lose our mother this quickly and this soon. Our extended relatives and loved ones are reservation and state wide, as Monica comes from a very large family.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Monday October 15, 2012
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 Am
Tuesday October 16, 2012
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer , MT 59043
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 PM
Monday October 15, 2012
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer, MT 59043
Mass of Christian Burial
11:00 Am
Tuesday October 16, 2012
Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church
Lame Deer , MT 59043
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Lisa and John Just says
May God keep your family under the shadow of his wings. You will be missed.
Mrs. Bonnie Bigback says
My condolences to all the family. May our Lord God give peace and healing to each of you.
George Birtic says
Was so deeply saddened about this loss. Monica was a very good person. My sympathy goes out to the family in this difficultl time.
Ann Knows His Gun says
R.I.P. sister Monica. Prayers to her children, Uncle Gilbert and her siblings.
NASHEENA WHITEDIRT says
MOM I MISS YOU SO MUCH ……..THIS IS NOT EASY FOR ME TO SAY THIS BUT RIP MONICA WHITEDIRT!!!
:..(
Shamiekwa whitedirt says
Your such a beautiful woman inside and out. I’m very sad you gone so soon. I wish I would have spent more time with you. I’m going to miss you very much. You were the only person when I came back to Lame Deer who was really and truly happy to see me. You cried, you made me feel very welcome. You never judged me you always listen to me when I was having my problems. Thank you for that. I don’t want to remember you passing away but all the good memories and funny moments in life that I was apart of. I will never forget you and you saying come over here and give me a hug and asking how baby is. And saying go give you grandpa a hug!
Rest in peace….
Tracy & Edith Robinson says
Prayer to the family of Monica…may god watch over you during this difficult time.
Samantha Killsnight says
R.I.P Monica… prayers to your family and children..
Teri Bixby~Burns says
To the family of Monica white dirt, my deepest sympathy, i’m so sorry for loss
Heather an mylea tall bull says
were going to miss u monica my kids well always remember u. i sit here an think of all times that we had last summer. may the sun shine down on us knowing I
its u watching over us. were going to miss. my pryers go outo ur kids an the rest of the family. Love you an u well always be in are heart.
Tim Spotted Horse says
Mom I miss you so much now who am I gunna call up an talk to just to laugh with who gunna here me an Casey an Grandpa sing peyote songs in the kitchen who gunna cook for me wen I go back to the house. I was remember wen we we’re getting ready for Casey petition meeting we stood out side and prayed I was just looking at u an u look back me an said son im a blessed women to have u in my hurt an as a son that will be there for the family now Weres casey I just look at her an said I don’t no jimtown I think an she said huh he better bring us same thing to :'(“
lucinda & ivey mae says
I love ya mom always and forever….ivey Mae will forever miss you …I’ll watch over peanut…love ya mom& have a great journey home…
Shirley Skinner says
Monica and her family is in my thoughts and prayers. God will help you through this difficult journey. Monica will be greatly missed by many but she is in a safe and pain free place where she is still watching over and taking care of her family and friends.
Gaylene Knowshisgun-Page says
Monica, my ole classmate from Lame Deer, your smile will truly be missed. We were blessed to have such a beautiful person, such as you enter our lives and make a lasting impression on us. Ma’heo’o receives you in the next life. Ha’ho for being such a wonderful friend. Rest in paradise.
Renecia Shoulderblade says
R.I.P cousin
You were such a kind, generous person & I’ll never forget your laugh! Rest peacefully.
Marsha Fay Small says
Prayers for the family during this difficult, difficult time.
Bill and Danna Runsabove says
Our thoughts and prayers are with Monica’s family at this time.
Ed,Stacie Joiner & Family says
Prayers for Monica’s Family & Friends ,May God Comfort us all in this time of Grief , Monica Loved 2 Dance I remember in Grade School & was Awesome Dance ,Dance My Friend!!!
Mary Spang says
Sending prayers to Monica’s children and her remaining family,May God comfort you all through this difficult time.R.I.P my friend..
Donna Small says
Thoughts and prayers to the Whitedirt family. Monica was an good woman.
Andrita Harris says
Prayers for Whitedirt Family, Monica was a great friend, caring person she will be missed. Your Friend GOD BLESS
relative says
when i found no one to visit you were there, when i felt lost you there, when i just wanted relatives to care you were there. Inspite of all that is sometimes not so great in your life you always seemed to find something that would lift your spirits or found something to look foward to, even if it wasn’t much but it still meant something, even if it was a little more then nothing. You would always say “its better then nothing, its something”.
Today your struggles are gone, you have what we don’t have – now you have our relatives and family that have gone on. Where there is no more illness, saddness, where they live as we had once lived, in simplicity, laughter, togetherness, sincererity, love, respect, most of all returning back to safety in the heart of the cheyenne people, cheyenne people who have made their journey across.
Melissa whitewolf royston & Family says
Prayers for the Whitedirt family…Monica had such a gift of lifting spirits, with her teasing and her stories. RIP Monica.
Donna Dahle says
Monica was such a happy person. May you live in the shadow of her kind and generous spirit always.
Juanita Spotted Elk says
Monica, You will be greatly missed. Thank you for helping with my kids when they were in care of their dad. It was one of the most difficult times i ever went through. I thank you from my heart You were there for my children. I am thankful for Your love and goodness. Although it has been a long time since we seen each other. Prayers for Your children and grandchild. I love you. Our God will take care of them all and comfort in tis time of loss of precious mother, auntie, sister, daughter, cousin, and friend. Peace and grace from our God.
Wolf Robe Willow says
Monica & Family & Relatives
May the lord~ Ma’heo’o bring comfort and peace to family & relatives at this time , as our prayers are with you all!
Wolf Robe Willow & Family
Mary Dillon says
Dear Whitedirt family;
I was so saddened to hear of the loss of Monica. Know that I am thinking of you all and sending my prayers, hugs and love. We are only passing through in this world–and some journeys are shorter than the others. It is comforting to know that we will see our loved ones again; and the reunion will be awesome. She will see all those grandkids—and what a reunion it will be.
I love you all—God bess
Mary and Jolyn Dillon
ur baby boy "casey lawrence whitedirt" says
i luv u mommy and you’ll will always be in my heart and watch over us while we are in hard time luv u momma <3
phillip frame and heather wellstead says
jus found out. sorry to hear bout Monica’s death. We send thoughts to the family. I’m from rapid city South Dakota, but been temporarily visiting with my aussie girlfriend in her country. had met the fam at Bear Butte years ago
Calesta&Nasheena says
Mom we miss you & love you so much forever and always we will never forget you.!! You are forever in our hearts we can’t wait till the day we see you again!
mom you were the best I love seeing you all the time through the sun because I remember you admiring her haha I love your warmth you give me all the time and hay your peanut(katwanna) is growing a tooth aye haha man I wish you were still here I miss your oven bread you made. i’m sure everybody else does too. Calesta loves you very much and she was very sad because you left her with out saying happy birthday. Boo i’m sorry for my sins I have been doing. I just want to kill myself so bad …that’s how much I love you mom. monica whitedirt I bet your beautiful and happy:) I love you and you will always be remembered hmm katwana loves grandma:) <3
gilma whitedirt says
I love you always and forever in my thoughts my big sis. (rip monica whitedirt) i really miss you right now and for days to come. will see you when i get there. love you
Kathie Buchanan says
Dear Gilbert White Dirt, (Sacred) Hat Keeper of the Cheyenne Nation,
I have never forgotten my visit to the ranch in 2001 with Ken and Beau and our big group of students from U. of Wyoming. I was alone, and from the East, but you all welcomed me. I sat in the tipi making talking sticks with the children, and you came inside with your big white hat and sat down with us. I was so honored, and gifted you with a pair of gloves that were too small for you, but you graciously accepted them and some dried out tobacco I had. I’d found a Magpie that first day, and I’d asked if I could have the feathers to which you obliged and sent me off to clean it “up there”. When we’d first arrived, your dog had porcupine needles in its nose and I didn’t come right away to meet you and your family properly, since I was trying to pull out the needles. I apologized, but you said it was fine, and explained how you cut them back, and then the needles came out. I found a medicine bag in the dirt, and gave it to you, knowing it didn’t belong to me. We all went to Sitting Bull Rock and you pulled the Sweet Grass out of the Earth from a bare spot, for our little sister whose mother had cancer. You helped us get off the mountain at Bighorn Medicine Wheel from afar, when Kenny’s truck broke down. “Call on me”, you’d said, and I did. You sent help across the miles, and it came immediately in the form of a flatbed truck! “Come back and visit one day”, you’d said, but I have been too ill and funds haven’t allowed for that visit. I wish I could be there to see you again, and help soothe the mourning and loss of your beautiful daughter, like a daughter. I hope that you got photos and letters I’d sent years ago. I am forever grateful to have met you and your family, and didn’t know of your loss until now. Kenny & Beau passed too, and I sent out a notice as I will do now for Monica. I’ll never forget the night that we women kept you men from the Lodge we were in so long! Visiting you again is a dream I still have. I cannot express how much you taught me. The women taught me much too. That night we had a big storm, and the fire grew very large. I knew that a storm was coming, and was afraid. Baseball size hail was coming, and the police called to warn us, but we were safe, the storm didn’t touch us, and Crazy Horse Lightning lit the sky (and even though the meal I’d planned for everyone was overcooked, but everyone said it was good. Haha! No it wasn’t. Chicken with mushy, gooey noodles; that poor little girl must have stirred the noodles in the huge pot for the 3 hours that we women were gone! But, everyone was so nice, and even ate it!) I will never forget you and let not your heart be troubled. You and your beautiful family have touched the lives of so many. Across the miles, I think of you often. I have the picture you drew of the horse in the sky. Your other loved ones and daughter are riding their ponies in the sky. One day we shall all be together again.
Blessings & Love, Kathie Buchanan (was Evans), 2071 Huckleberry Hwy., Berlin, PA
(Kabespir) who came back from that trip and devoted her life to Social Justice, because of you, and the experiences I had. May this note let you know how much you and your family has changed lives for the better, and led them to help others. I’ll still call on you for help; always have, always will. May all who knew and loved Monica have peace, although they miss her. She was so young and full of kind giving but I know she was a strong woman and wise! Congratulations on your new baby grandaughter, “peanut”. May she bring your family the happiness that you all deserve, and may all of the children know that they are being watched over. Ma’heo’o/God IS with all. I am so sorry for the loss that all of you have had. Remember when I heard the drums, but they were far away… We are sort of like that too. I hear you all, and I don’t even know what made me find this tonight. It was meant to be. See you again one day.
Derek Whitedirt says
I miss my mom..