Donna Marie Backbone

Donna Marie Backbone, 67, of Crow Agency, Montana, passed away of natural causes at her home on the evening of Saturday, February 8, 2025. 

Our baby sister, Ammaahilixiasaash (Outstanding Worker) was born May 13, 1957, in Hardin, Montana, the ninth of ten children to Frank Sr. and Pearl (Deernose) Backbone. Donna was baptized at the Crow Community Baptist Church, where she remained as a lifetime member. Her faith and fellowship at the church were of the utmost importance to Donna throughout her life. She graduated from Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota in 1975 where she actively participated in cheerleading all 4 years of school. Donna later attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute (SIPI) in Albuquerque, New Mexico receiving her associates degree.  

Donna married Danny Brien in 1979 at the Crow Community Baptist Church, and from this alliance were born their sons, the true loves of her life, Jordan and Dan Dan. They enjoyed family trips to the Black Hills and many church meetings in the Wolf Mountains when the boys were young. Donna and Danny later divorced after more than 20 years of marriage. 

Donna enjoyed playing softball with her sisters and many lifelong friends. Pitching for the Crow All- American softball team, a team name and an honor to use the name that was given to her father’s traveling basketball team. She loved recounting her days as an ace pitcher with a gleam in her eye. Donna was often selected as an All-Star pitcher, for her talent in pitching and striking out her opponents, in several softball tournaments throughout the region. 

Donna was employed by IHS for 37 years, retiring in 2022, the same month as her 65th birthday. She loved to travel, taking frequent trips to Albuquerque, Las Vegas or across the state and beyond to watch her grandchildren in their various endeavors. Donna was able to fulfill her role as mom, grandmother, sister and friend in retirement. She was booked from sunup to sundown with engagements, whether it was attending basketball games, concerts, having coffee, helping anyone in need of a ride or just trying five bucks. Donna was generous beyond measure, never hesitating to be there for anyone who needed her. She took great pride in spoiling her grandchildren at every opportunity. “You’re a good cook!” Donna would complement you, especially if just leaving a restaurant where she treated you to dinner. Her family only recently learned of Kaala Donna’s love of riding dirt bikes, though she also had a softer side and enjoyed relaxing with popcorn, Pepsi and a Lifetime movie. 

Donna is preceded in death by her parents; brothers Frank Backbone, Jr. & Alonzo Ten Bear; sisters Francine (Dave) Camden, Noreen and Darlene Backbone; nephews Donnie, Stephan LaForge, Byron Dawes, Jr., Jacob Big Hair Jr., Michael Fitch, Ellsworth “Peanut” Ten Bear; nieces Donita LaForge, Felicia Dawes, Lauren “Tuffy” Backbone, and Carol Arreguin.

Survivors include her sons Jordan (Amber) and Dan (Valerie) Brien; sisters Arlene (Robert) Fitch, Nadine (Dean) Dawes, Calley and Haroldine Backbone, Kathrine (Benito) Morrison, Patricia Maxwell, Lavina Passes, Julia Wolf, Ardith (Clifford) BirdinGround, Vicky Hogan, Rebecca Buffalo, Jennifer Onion, Sharolyn (Chester) Nomee, Frances, Clara and Lauri Alden, Jocelyn (Clarence) Three Irons, Anita (Dana) Old Coyote, Sheila (Gerald) Martin, and Sara Pretty Weasel; brothers Shawn (Dyann), William  (Pamela), Harold (Debbie) and Elton Backbone, Marvin Falls Down, Marlon (Debbie) Passes and Dr. Dave (Kristin) Mark; grandchildren Miles (Aiyana), Cara Bell, Miri, Parker, Daniel, Curtis, Elgin Brien, Elijah (Bessie), Elias (Diamond) Stops At Pretty Places, RJ and Laura  (Jace) Real Bird, Frank Two Bulls, Jr.; great grandchildren Celine Brien, Jarik, Kendalyn and Kian Real Bird, Hensen and Riston Stops at Pretty Places; nephews Davin (Lacey) Camden, Clay, Gary and Sheldon (Shelly) Dawes, Larin, Kellen (Nika) and Baby Shawn Backbone, Orville (Lynette) St. Claire, Gary and Bentley Ten Bear, Kidd (Rose) Morrison, David (Glenda), Jon (Teri) and Joe (Ticka) Maxwell, Dee, Victor (Barbara), Brendon and Lloyd Passes, Bobbi (Lupita) and Dennis Gress, Ramon Rios and Duane Swank; nieces Jackie (Larry) Blacksmith, Dr. Nicole (Ken) Gore, Jaychelle Ten Bear, Michelle Big Hair, Tysha (Lonnie) Manzanares, Pearl (Wayne) Onion, Roberta Other Medicine, Cindy (Chris) Blacksmith, Kitti and Hayley Backbone, Lori Swank, Sunshine (Rocco) Cooper, Carolyn (Joseph) Dawes, Ruby (Dan) Zier, Kitty (Eugene) Deernose Fox, StellJo (Boots), Rochelle Passes, Jackie Morsette, Cammie Gress, Shannon (Dale) Pitsch and Denise Swank; adopted sons Walter Runs Above, Myron (Ivy) Butch Little Light, Josh Stewart, Frank (Jade) Whiteclay, Moses Yellowrobe III, and adopted daughter Elizabeth Brown; adopted parents John (Pauline) Bitsuie of Shiprock, NM; close friends LaVonne Scalpcane, Natalie Little Owl, Maryellen Snell, Una Little Light, Andrea Costa and Debbie Wakeman; the matriarch of our family, her aunt Margo Real Bird, and her companion and loving pet cat, Charlie.  

Extended families include Bear Below, Old Crow, Left Hand, Blood Man, Medicine Tail, Deernose, Real Bird, Moccasin, Not Afraid, Jefferson, Bird, Pretty on Top, Walks, Buffalo, Knows Gun, Sees the Ground, Big Day, Anderson, Packineau, Hall, Defenders, Fredericks, and Charging of North Dakota.

Please accept our apologies if we missed mentioning any family member, our family is large and may have missed some names during this difficult time.

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