Buster Leider, Sr.

Buster Leider Sr., 83, passed away at his home on Monday, December 18, 2023, after a short term illness. He was born on June 15, 1940 in Crow Agency, Montana, to Carl & Agnes (Sits Down Spotted) Leider.  He was a member of the Ties The Bundle Clan and Child of Big Lodge. Buster’s Indian name is Baacheechiabatchaachish meaning Outstanding Scout, which was given to him by William Sits Down Spotted. Buster was a member of the Native American Church. Many people turned to him for prayer. Buster’s parents passed away when he was very young and was then raised by William and Susie (Wallace) Sits Down Spotted and later Ted and Martha (Sits Down Spotted) Bear Cloud. He attended school in Saint Xavier where he would get into a lot of mischief with his brother Joseph Bear Cloud. He enlisted in the Army on November 29, 1960 and served six years.  He was honorably discharged as a E2 Private 1st Class. Buster followed in his grandfather’s footsteps, Carl Leider, Sr. who was the first tribal cattle manager, by living on the old Leider Homestead located on West Soap Creek.  He harvested his own hay and raised horses with his wife and children.

He led the Big Horn District in many hand games. Buster participated and helped pray for many individuals in his participation on many Sundance’s, especially in Aspen Grove. Buster and his family lived and worked at Camp 4 in St. Xavier and cowboyed for various ranchers in Big Horn District.

He was a police officer for the Crow Agency Police Department and was forced to retire due to on the job injury in 1984. Buster married Elsie Yarlott on March 22, 1964, in Sheridan, Wyoming and they made their home at Soap Creek. While living in Soap Creek he worked as a janitor at the old Saint Xavier school and was a bus driver. Every morning he would ride horseback with Agnes to the bus before retiring to Lodge Grass. On January 9, 2008, the love of his life, Elsie went home to be with her Lord and Savior.

Preceded in death are his wife Elsie; Buster Jr., Alphonso, Zachary Aaron Leider, Mitchel Bonko, Wallace Leider, Wayne Brien, Nick Demontiney, Kiomara Hogan, Isaac Gardner, Christian Stewart, James Whiteman Sr., Terrance, Terryn, Terrence Jr., Ten Bear, Gary Real Bird, Lynette Nanto, Meta (Walter) Stewart Sr., Joseph (Lorraine) Bear Cloud Sr., Susanna Three Irons, Carl Ine and Calvin Leider, Al Smells, Mary (Tom) Bonko, Charles Yarlott, Charlotte (Paul) Spotted Horse, Linda (Tyrone) Ten Bear, Rosalia Stewart, Vicky (Wesley) Crooked Arm, Frank and Ben Red Wolf.

He is survived by his sisters; Harriet Leider Little Owl, Linda Bull Tail, Mary Louis LaForge, Vera He Does It, Raphal Real Bird, Delmyrna, Tina Yarlott, Marcia (Benito) Brown, Tori (Oliver) Half, Geneva Walks Over Ice; his brothers Kenneth (Barbara) Spotted, Alvin (Lucille), Aaron (Mary) and Garrett Stewart. Buster and Elsie leave behind their children Aaron (Devona), Jimenio (Holly) Leider, Agnes Leider (Gary Gardner), Carla Real Bird, Susette (Frank) Spang, Clay Spotted, Sr., Kenny Joe (Jeniffer) Spotted, Diane (Kennard) Real Bird, Dominic (Nevesa) Little Owl, Pauletta (Terry) Bird In Ground, Safara Big Lake, Jackson (Leeann) Pretty On Top, Crystal Falcon; grandchildren Paula, LaRose (Isiah), Buster, III (Regina), Alfonda, Jeremy, Amanda, Karmaleta, Chelsee (John), Indian Jr., Vanessa, Dustin (Dalynn), Goldman (Cheryl), Mitchell, Mark Jr, Clay Jr., Kenshido, Brandi (Ivan), Jordan, Tater, Trinity, Evan, Cody, Tanisha, Leyton, Ezra, Tatiyana (Adrian), Harlei (Tai’vian), Ava, Rylei, Korbin, Dakoda, Cerine, Amy, McKennon, Mackenzie, Zita, Autumn, Stephanie (Corey), Arlena (Cory), Alyssa (Mikey), Michael, Dray, Jeffrey, Lily (Jordan), Whisper, Larsena Jo, Lane, Charmayne, Nakoa, Cecily, Paden, Kania. Bella & Audrey, Kennan, Kole Jon, Joely and Al Spotted; great-grandchildren Angel (La’Mya), Jaroy, Elsie Mae, Alphonso, Karlito, Kaison, Titus, Lovely, Amiyah, Charlie, Blaze, Gabriella, David, John, Chris, Carter, Jaylin (Sierra), Jasper, Jasmine, Jala, Jayona, Daysen, Tobias, Josie, Wynn, Richie, Ariyah, Tai’brien, Ronnie, MariAnna, Avery, Kingston, Amaziah, Saphira, Jada, Edward, Wyatt, Leo, Dane, Rachel Lynn, Malachi, Angel Aurora, Baby Dray, Jazmine, Phoenix, Elizabeth, Skylar, Maci, Matthias, Hazel, Arnell, Katelynn; great-great Oakley Sage Half. Buster and Elsie adopted many children including Peggy (Pat) Black Water, Mary (Ronnie) Peppers, Steve (Lucy) Benally, Angie (John) Cummins, Ambrose, Cyrus (Annie) Leider, Calvin Leider Jr., Marcelline Little Nest, Yelena (Monty) Bright Wings, David Blaine, Aljay, Victor(Adrena) Yarlott, Albert and Faye Morning Bull, Raymond and Junetta Jefferson, Roger Red Wolf, Jaychelle Ten Bear, Dale Crooked Arm, John (Becky) Five, Tom (Geri) Bonko, Tom (Mary) Ten Bear, Regis(April) Hogan Sr, Merlin (Meigha Tsosie, Virjama (Ronnie) Flatmouth, Micheallynn (Irving) Afraid of Bear, Oliver Spotted Horse, RJohn Nomee, Dennell and Annie Stanley, Crystal Bryant, Carrie and Mathew Stops. Extended families include the following, Iron, Pretty Medicine Rock, Sits Down Spotted, Leider, Bear Cloud, Cleveland, Benally, Horse, Whiteman and Yellow Horn families from Canada, Wagon and Blaine Families.  Our family is very large if we have missed you please accept our apology in this time of grief.

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