Starla LaRuth Shoulderblade, Hese’eota’e “Medicine Woman”, age 37 of Lame Deer started her journey to the Next Camp. She was surrounded by her loving family and friends on Friday, April 16, 2021 at the St. Vincent Hospital. Just as we were in the process of letting Starla go at the hospital, a lullaby played meaning a baby was born. The gift of life came as she started her journey. Mary & Hadley were walking hand and hand for her last breath and heartbeat when it played all over the hospital. Meaning Maheo is restoring, he blesses with a new life when he takes one home.
Starla was born in Hardin, MT on February 23, 1984 to Mary Shoulderblade & Wesley Spotted Elk. She received her education at the Lame Deer Public School, Colstrip, St. Labre and later received her GED. Starla took great pride in being a “Morningstar for life.”
Starla’s greatest pride and joy is her son, Pius Vaughn Shoulderblade. In 2014, Pius forever changed Starla’s life by choosing her to be his mother. Starla took pride in Pius’s special gift of singing (powwow, peyote, sweat) etc. which he calls “healing and make your heart feel good songs.” Pius has always been encouraged to sing songs by his grandparents, uncles & relatives. Starla was a loving “aunty mom” to many of her nieces and nephews, as well as her friend’s children. She had a big heart & did her best to help everyone that she came into contact with.
Starla lived a very 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 respected and practiced our Cheyenne traditions. Her fondest enjoyments were camping & cooking for various cultural activities. Starla could create a delicious meal with whatever was available. Her specialties were her “boogie man” bread, and her breakfast sandwiches.
Starla’s aunty moms and uncles were all special to her. She had a special relationship & bonded with Geri Girl Small, whom she considered a second mom. Her bond with Geri extended to the Horace and Mabel Small family who loved her unconditionally. She had a special bond with her brother/cousin Clayton “OLY” Neiss, Sister/cousin Crystalynn Rose & Best friend Carissa Whitewolf.
Starla is survived by her mother Mary, father Wesley (Bonnie), son Pius Vaughn. Her brothers Hadley (Marie, Maria) Clint (Wendy) Peyton, Dantrell, Joseph, Maisie, Clayton (Leslie) “The Boys” Canyon, Cameron, Cody, Myckinlei, Shanwtay. Sisters Renecia (Ellie) Half siblings: Memri, Shyla, Jade (Aaron) & Shannlyn (Aaron) Lance “Bo”, Kyle (Alicia), Lane (Lorna), Her uncle Don (Ruthie) Shoulderblade & family, Navitt (Maxine), Aunty Mom Wilma (Neil) Austin III (Tanya) Trustin, Jazzy, Rhianna, Reanna (Reneka, Sheneka) Auntie Mom Geri Girl Small, Aunt Marcellene, Serena (Wayne) Derek, & Tiffany, Laura Lonebear, Jennie Lou LaFranier, Thelma and Donna Fisher, Jamie Whiteman, Sandy Bruised Head. Cousins/brother and sisters – Lawrence Neiss Jr. (Theresa), Crystal (Keyshawn/Chontay, Isaac III, Isaiah), Isaac JR, Sheila (Joel), Wendell (Anya), Thomas “Lynn”, Keith (Jackie), Thomas (Dawnielle), Halona, Bernadine “Spanky” (Valentine), Rayetta, Bernadette, Anthony, Pamela (Richard), Verael, Dennis Jr., Jarvis, Stacey (Ed), Talena, Tiffany, Tonielle, Derek, Donielle, Dyron, Detrich, Noranda. Janelle, Eric, Stella, Ivy, Pascal. Eugene (Marci) Seran, Lance, Woodrow, Hubert/Sharon, Alan/Becky, Oryn John, Rita, Julian, Barbara Bement family. Adopted family – Joe Bear Cloud, Wayne LaForge and Bruce White, Old Elks, Christine Starr “Lil Starla” families. Adopted brother David Running Rabbit.
Preceding her in death, grandparents Wendell and Ruth Shoulderblade, August and Margie Spotted Elk, Francis, Thomas, Fern, Claudia, Kathryn Shoulderblade, Al Lester, Uncles and Aunts Virginia, and Sam Spotted Elk, Bernadine, Wendell Jr., Wendeline (Lawrence), Francis Shoulderblade, Dennis Sr., Vaughn (Bout Bout), Dustin, Shetae Sandcrane, BJ, Rusty Spottedelk, Ben/Ella, James/ Sara Blackwolf, Marvin Spotted Elk, Alice Spotted Elk, Inez Wilson.
Starla Shoulderblade, age 37, of Lame Deer
February 23, 1984 – April 16, 2021
These Foote says
Awe man, I’m soo sorry Mary, it was a shock to me, sending my condolences and prayers for you and yours, LOVE you my lil sis, cherish your memories of your baby girl!💕 Prayers and Hugs to you!💕
Theda Foote says
Awe man, I’m soo sorry Mary, it was a shock to me, sending my condolences and prayers for you and yours, LOVE you my lil sis, cherish your memories of your baby girl!💕 Prayers and Hugs to you!💕
Cindra and Seidel Standing Elk says
Seidel and I send our prayers and condolences to the family of Starla… our thoughts are with you all during this difficult time 🙏❤️
Clyde and Paula says
Prayers for Blackwolf and Shoulderblade families. May Maheo comfort all.
ROBERT LITTLE WOLF says
TO THE FAMILY OF STARLA SHOULDERBLADE, 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.
Andrita Harris says
so sorry for your loss. Deepest sympathy and condolences for the Blackwolf and Shoulderblade Families. Prayers
Clara Caufield says
Mary – so sorry to hear of your loss. Lance is devestated for his loved her so much. May the Creator be with you and yours in the coming difficult days.
RandyNDorothyWhitedirt says
Sorry for the loss of Starla, my prayers go out to you and the family </3
sending my condolences.
Judy Harris says
Deepest condolences, Mary. My heart goes out to you.
Earlene Teeth Clown and family says
Condolences to you, Mary, her siblings and most of all her son.
Carrie Littlebird says
My Condolences to the Family. Prayers always for her Son.
Rayford Gray says
Mary,
You and The Family are in our thoughts and prayers and our heartfelt Condolences.
REST IN PEACE
Starla!
Your Southern Relatives,
Mary Ann, Rayford, and Family
Monica Norse says
Aunt Mary, Renecia, Clint, Hadley and Pius….sending my condolences love hugs and prayers. Maheo comfort you during this time and hold you close. I will miss Starla. you will all be in my prayers.
Rynalea Pena says
Times like this it’s always so hard to find the words to say being so numb to the fact that a loved one has gone on. We’ve been taught that prayer is powerful & helps in areas that are much need. My love & prayers go out to the family of Starla she we will be missed by a lot of people because she has left footprints on their hearts. Just a little over a month ago I sat with Starla in the teepee paying her respect to her buddy Michael. I appreciated her for caring so much. Bless her heart as she goes on to the place where the roses never fade!!! ❤️❤️❤️ May her memories keep her alive & comfort mend the broken heart. 🙏🙏🙏
MARILYN MADER says
Mary, Hadley, Renecia, Clint and the rest of the family,
I’m so sorry to hear of your loss. May the Lord grant you comfort and peace in the days and months ahead as you go through this very difficult time.
Alison Black says
To my nephew Pius ur mama loved you, your a very special nephew, your daddy loves you and wish he could be here in your time in need. Keep your head up nephew.
Ashley Demyan & kids says
To the best ex-sister in law ever! Your son Pius will always be in my prayers and I hope one day I’ll be able to visit him again. My heart broke knowing you passed on especially when my life just fell apart and not being able to have you around to visit me was so painful. I miss and love you so much. I’m going back to my children though because you always told me how very proud you were of me for moving away and found a life I could live with my children. When for so long I was without them. I love you sister and I won’t ever let go of our memories. You are such a great mother.
Kris says
🌟 you are the best of best sis who will always be in all of the best time we kicked ok… Kris
Ashley Antelope Demyan says
Here I am again I love you and been spending so much at the casino you hit big time in Hardin. The morning before nobody wanted to cruise and waste money with me. It was the best memories especially when I didn’t know it snowing and I was trippen out. You just laughed and said it’s snowing Ashley. You still let me drive the whole time too bc we run together we ran together always.