Our beloved sister, auntie, grandmother and friend, Patricia Ann Littlewolf Turns Plenty passed away at Billings Clinic on Wednesday, December 8, 2021 due to complications of COPD. She peacefully began her journey to the other side camp with loving family members by her side. Patricia was a resident at Aspen Meadows Health and Rehabilitation Center in Billings at the time of her passing.
Patricia was born on April 23, 1942 to parents Charles Littlewolf and Annie Limpy Littlewolf. “Twenty Stands Woman” was a member of the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and a
descendant of both Chief Littlewolf and Chief Dull Knife. She was very proud of her heritage and spoke the Cheyenne language fluently. She enjoyed participating in traditional Pow Wow dancing. She was an accomplished seamstress and beader and made beautiful clothing and beaded regalia for dancing. She also represented her Tribe as a contestant in the Miss Indian America contest when it was held in Sheridan, Wyoming and placed as runner up. After the competition, she was often asked to perform her sign language with music talent at local events.
Patricia, along with brothers Don and Leonard and her parents, lived in the Busby and Kirby Creek areas. She attended and graduated from Busby School, as it was referred to at that time. After graduation, she attended nursing school in Spearfish, South Dakota. She also signed up as a volunteer in the Peace Corp and served in Puerto Rico.
Along with her creative talents, Patricia also had keen organizational skills and an abundant understanding of regulations and processes. She put these skills to work throughout her career of secretarial and program management positions with the Northern Cheyenne Tribe and the U.S. Government Bureau of Indian Affairs. Her career took her to many areas of the country: Washington, D.C., Portland, Oregon, and Denver to mention a few. Those that knew her appreciated her ability to handle situations, to organize and solve problems, and her extensive knowledge of process.
Patricia remained committed to the importance of education throughout her life and served on the original Busby School Board and other committees. She assumed a secretarial
position with Busby School after completing government work and later worked for Pryor Public Schools as an elementary secretary for 24 years. She absolutely loved and enjoyed the children at the schools and was very compassionate to their needs. Some students called her “grandma” and she was always happy when they recognized her around town. She was still working at age 79 but retired due to health issues in the spring of 2021.
It was during her tenure at Busby School that Pat was introduced to the new school superintendent, Roger Turns Plenty. Their friendship continued to grow through the
years and Roger and Pat were married on June 10, 1989. They lived in Busby, then moved to Wyola for a while due to Roger’s change in employment, and then a final move to Roger’s home
in Pryor. Their life together was filled with visiting family members, community events, travel, and playing bingo. Roger preceded Pat in death in 2012. Pat loved the
Pryor community and her work at the School. She remained in Pryor and enjoyed going to movies and dinner with her family, celebrating family events, and talking with her brother Leonard in Cheyenne. She made many friends in Pryor and made her home there until health issues necessitated a move to Billings.
She is survived by brother-Leonard Littlewolf (Linda), nieces-Pam Littlewolf (Chris Whitmer), Dawn Littlewolf (Rickson Keams), Alicia Littlewolf, Erica Littlewolf, grandchildren-Taylor Littlewolf, Tynesha Keams, Jayden Keams, Kira Keams, Neveah Killsnight, Nyla Killsnight, Norah Killsnight, Alayna Elkshoulder, Erica Rose Turns Plenty and great grandchildren- Laben and Santiago. She was preceded in death by parents-Charles & Annie Littlewolf, brother-Don Littlewolf, husband-Roger Turnsplenty, nephew-Jay Littlewolf, grandchild-Serena Joy Killsnight, special friend/in-law- Kitty Gillespie and in-laws Fred & Rosalee Turnsback.
Extended family includes: Littlewolf, Limpy, Killsback, Turns Plenty, Long Jaw, Dull Knife & Littlewolf descendents and the Pryor community who helped her out and looked after her many times. Sorry if we have forgotten any names and relationships as we are deeply grieved. The family would also like to thank the doctors and nurses for her care and Kinsley Walksalong for sitting with Pat.
Service Schedule
Traditional Wake
7:00 p.m.
Wednesday December 15, 2021
White River Cheyenne Mennonite Church
Busby, MT
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Bonnie Bigback says
To all in Pat’s family, my sincere sympathies. A valiant struggle for so long. Time to rest now.
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
TO THE FAMILY OF PATRICIA LITTLEWOLF TURNSPLENTY, THE NORTHERN CHEYENNE 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.
Victoria F Falls Down says
Victoria Falls Down, Supt. Pryor Public Schools
To the family of Pat Turns Plenty, the Pryor community along with the School community wish to express sincere condolences during this difficult time. We share your lost and extend our prayers for strength and comfort. RIP Pat.
Lucy Turnsplenty says
My prayers & condolences to the family. Pat was a gracious lady &
a respected sister in law
I am sorry I will not b able to make it for funeral
Erica Littlewolf says
December 8, 2021- One week has passed since you made your journey to the other side camp. Aunty…you were the ultimate Indigenous aunty-part mom, part aunty, part friend and part grandma. You disciplined me as a child and fed me boiled hotdogs, maccaroni and coca cola. You attended my high school and college graduations and were always around when I would come back from my overseas ventures. You got angry for me during my divorce when I was too sad to push emotions out and you went old Cheyenne ways and ignored people that had done me wrong. You were so fierce, independent and made a path for me to follow long before I knew this. You could bingo with the best, eat steak like nobodys business and hold up traffic like a boss (because you drove slow). I loved that you lost all the cell phones my dad gave you and lived private in a social media world. I know these are human things aunty but I will miss you…because I already do. As you aged your face and hands became grandma Annie’s. I don’t know this human world without your human presence…don’t forget to visit us, pray for us and guide us. Help us grieve well and journey well and greet us when it is our turns to make our journeys to the other side camp. Aunty…until we meet again…I will keep on loving you.
Rita yazzie says
To all extended family of Patricia Littlewolf, she left this world and left behind her teaching and her love, but her memories will always be with you in your heart and in your mind. From the Navajo Nation.
Damion says
I will miss you auntie Pat! You were always so kind, nice and cool to visit with growing up. I remember seeing your from time to time in Billings after you moved from Busby to Pryor.
Love,
Your nephew, Damion
Diana McLean says
Oh my friend Leonard. I pray you will be strong to get through this heartache. You always talked about having quality time with your sister. Now you will have great memories to think back on when you are missing her. Take care. May God Bless.