Darlene Rose (Mountainsheep) Alden

Darlene Rose Mountainsheep Alden, age 85, of Dunmore, Montana, began her journey to the other side camp early the morning of October 1, 2024, surrounded by her close and beloved family. She was a member of the Whistling Water clan and a child of the Piegan clan. Her Crow name Bilítaashiishee Shíile Awassáahuush, meaning Ascending Yellow Butterfly, was given to her by her grandfather Mountainsheep.  Her family and friends knew her as Jeannie or Babe.

She was the daughter of Lorenzo Henry Mountainsheep Sr. and Aurora Audrey (Littlelight) Mountainsheep, born in Crow Agency April 7, 1939. She attended school in Hardin. Jeannie was married to Belo John Morrison Alden, the love of her life, for 34 years until God called him home. Their shared journey strengthened their love for one another and shaped their lives as well as their strong family bonds. Her husband’s family cherished and respected her. 

Rose's legacy lives in the love and values she instilled in her family. She was a member of St. Dennis Catholic Church and actively participated in Sun Dances. Though she worked at the Big Horn Carpet Mill and Sun Lodge Motel, she found her calling enriching generations of both Crow and non-Native students by working alongside teachers at the Crow School, then Hardin Primary and Middle Schools. She was an accomplished beader and her beadwork art is in collections nationwide. She was a compassionate, traditional Crow matriarch, gathering her children and grandchildren for family activities. Many memorable times included collecting tipi poles annually, watching over Sun Dances, honoring first powwow dances, watching family dance, enjoying handgames, camping at Crow Fair, all while mentoring family and cultural traditions. Her kindness, wit, and sense of humor brought joy and laughter to family gatherings over decades. She advocated for and supported her family, always sharing her love, knowledge, experience, and much beloved home cooking. She guided and taught us about life and people, to always be the best that we could be. Her absence is like the sky, spread over everything.

Babe was preceded in death by her husband Belo, her parents, her siblings Lorenzo Jr., Opal, Reggie, Ellsworth, Maurice, Marcus, Elliot and Vernon White Clay Jr.; her infant twin sons, daughter Dara Lovato, and nephew Dennis Mountainsheep.

She is survived by her beloved siblings Lana Burlison and Lorenzo (Teri) Mountains, and by her children, whom she loved deeply: Prudence (Jeff) Yellow Owl, Aurora (Jon) Kohn, Roanne (Harold) Alden Hill, Larry Shane (Nicole) Alden, and Ron Jon Alden. Rose adopted many into her family including Joe Lovato, Letha Gun Shows, Chris Yellowtail, adopted sisters Patti Medicine Horse and Carlene Old Elk, and many others. 

She was blessed to have been the grandmother (and mother) to Matt Pretty On Top, Kelby (Sophia) Pretty On Top, Amy (Shane) Brady, Samuel (Lucinda) Kohn, Jessica (Alex) Takata, Derrick Little Light, Schuyler Little Light, Toby Little Light, Jade (Frank) White Clay, Stephanie (Harold) Three Legs, Marnie Little Light, Olive (Bill) Smells, Amber (Clement) Cummins, Clay Gun Shows, JoLynn Lovato, Edina and Shane Alden Jr.  She was Great Kaale to more than 30 great-grandchildren. She was everyone’s Kaale, deeply loved by all of her grandchildren, great grandchildren and their friends.

Mom loved her independence, set her own schedules, loved driving to town “just to make sure it was still there.” RonJon and Kelby made sure she had everything she needed to stay in the home that Dad made for her.

Jeannie wished for an intimate and private ceremony. Friday, October 4, her family will honor her wishes, as they remember their mom and share stories and memories of how she impacted their lives.

                ~ We love you. Don’t look back on your journey, we will be alright.~

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