Donna Lee (Gros Ventre) Jefferson

Donna “Sarahvene” Gros Ventre-Jefferson 69 of Lodge Grass left this world to be with her maker Sunday, June 30th, 2024, in the Billings Clinic Hospital. She was born January 29th, 1955, in Sheridan Wyoming, a daughter of William Gros Ventre and Velma Covers Up Gros Ventre. She was a descendant of Pretty Eagle, a member of the Piegan clan and a child of the Big Lodge. Sarahvene grew up in Dallas, Tx when her father worked there during the Placement Program, later growing up in Wyola and attended Wyola Public Schools in her early years. She also attended Lodge Grass High School. Sarahvene met Bernard Jefferson, they married on May 11th, 1982, and made their home in Lodge Grass where they raised 6 children together.

She worked as a Youth Advocate during the Forest Horn administration, then as the Council and District Records Coordinator during the Carl Venne Administration. She was a Homemaker and a Master Crafts Woman making many Elk Tooth dresses for her loved ones.

She traveled with her sons and nephews the Black Whistle Singers throughout the United States to many pow wows, her most memorable trip was to Hartford, Connecticut during the Schemitzun Celebration in 1997. She was an avid Lodge Grass Indian fan through and through. Especially when her children, grandchildren, nephews and nieces were playing sports. She was LG for life. But her fondest and most precious moments were spending time with her beloved kids and enjoying the presence of her grandchildren.  She loved her grandchildren so very much she raised them as her very own.

Sarahvene was a confidante for her family and friends, she never hesitated to lend a helping hand to those in need. She was a very warm, loving and humble person. She was not one to enjoy being in the spotlight nor did she like a whole lot of attention. Sarahvene was a very big family person to the very end, she never wanted anyone to feel left out or be forgotten. She made it her life’s mission to express the love she had for everyone in her life. Sarahvene filled a very important role in her family’s lives, she will be missed dearly.

Each year in July she looked forward to spending time with her siblings and family in the Big Horn Mountains during the annual Peyote Meeting held in the Big Horn Mountains.  She also enjoyed attending the annual Covers Up/ Bad Horse Family reunion held each year during the Christmas Holidays because it meant that she would get to see all her beloved family members and enjoy their presence.

Sarahvene is preceded in death by her husband Bernard Jefferson Sr., her parents William and Velma Gros Ventre, son John Gros Ventre, sister Jennie Gros Ventre; brothers Billy Max Gros Ventre, Lawrence, Benedict, Frank, Nadine and Billie Jean Old Bull, Alpha Old Coyote, Woodson Bird Far Away, Ursula and Paul (Small Change) Bad Horse Jr, Bernard (Buzzy) Covers Up, Margeret Covers Up, Roseen Covers Up; sons Manuel “Sonny” Covers Up Jr., Marty Covers up, Edmund Old Crow, Byron “Pony Boy” Covers Up; Daughters Malerie Covers Up; granddaughter Millie Covers Up; grandson Ignatius Jefferson and Moreas Covers Up

Survivors include her children Mari, Bernadine (Daryl), Bernard Jr., William Paul (Jayne) and Nancy (Devin); Aunts Mary Helen (Alex) Medicine Horse Uncle Russell Wallace; Sister Regina Gros Ventre, Clarise Kindness, Fatima Bad Horse, Elizabeth (Earl) Old Chief, Lauren (Scott) Medicine Horse, Roxanne (Dexter) Falls Down, Cheryl Jefferson, Clarise (Ronnie) Medicine Crow, Arbutus and Traci Covers Up, Mavis (Maurice) Mountain Sheep, Myra Jean Gros Ventre Loti (Curtis) Medicine Horse Gail Rock Above; brothers Ben Gros Ventre, Craig Old Crow, Manuel (Linda) Covers Up, Terrance (Gwen) Covers Up, Jack Covers Up Benny Rock Above; adopted siblings Jennifer, Rebecca and Arnold (Correta) Jefferson, Bradford (Loretta) Crooked Arm, Larry (Jackie) Blacksmith; Children she took as her own Thomasa and Colby Blaine, Mercedes, Cheryl Gros Ventre, Taten and Tyson (Leah) Gros Ventre, Maranda and Nova Covers Up, Noranda Old Crow, Darrin (Bobbi Jo) Old Coyote, Sylvan (Robin) Covers Up, Paul Covers Up, Amanda Stops, Tommy (Verlie) Whiteman, Frank (Jade) White Clay, Shawndae (Shylo) Old Elk; grandchildren Tavia, K’lei, Kalyssa, Arthur, Shylen, Derek, Baby Colby, Kashley, Shekinnah, Lilly, Velma, Amari, Leticia, Joe Jr., Latrell, Mckenzie, Kinzleigh, William Jr., Selma, Ethan, Tavian, Tyon, Jaylee, William, Vanessa, Evelyn, Alvie, Damon, TJ, Javon, Payton and Tyra; great grandchild Kashton Jefferson. She had numerous nieces, nephews and extended grandchildren that she was close to and loved dearly; as well as extended family including Bad Horse, Don’t Mix, Good Luck, Bright Wings, Old Bull, Real Bird, Moccasin, Red Star, and Dust. If we have left anyone out, please forgive us, we offer our sincerest apologies.

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