Elverna Shirley Big Medicine

Elverna Big Medicine, 63, of Dunmore, MT died peacefully surrounded by family on November 26, 2023 at the Billings Clinic.  She was born on April 19, 1960 to Silas and Joan (Bear Below) Big Medicine in Crow Agency, MT.  Her Indian name was Diishiitchish (Good Dancer), given to her by Mary Larance-LaForge.

She was a member of the Big Lodge clan and child of the Whistling Water clan. Elverna practiced her Crow traditions and Culture, she danced at pow-wows, participated in sweat lodge and the Tobacco Society with her parents. She was on the Junior Handgame teams for Black Lodge and Lodge Grass.  One time she was a champion with the Lodge Grass juniors along with Eddie. Elverna and her Dad were in the cast of the Custer Re-enactment that was held in Crow at the Gas Cap Hill. Elverna was a life time member of the Mormon Church. She attended schools in Hardin, the Mormon Placement Program, St. Labre and the Montana Job Corps program.

The brothers remember her as their caretaker because their parents both worked.  Her brother remembers her preparing home cooked meals and made sure dinner was ready when her parents got home from work.  She was an avid Donny Osmond fan. She had a very special love for her nephew Kyle and Dillon who were very attached to her as toddlers.

Special friends were Lavina Plain Bull, Caroline Hill, Valentina LaForge, Vicki Holds, Kathy Old Horn and Rhonda Horn.

Elverna resided in the assisted living home of Vicky Burling and family for 35 years. The family would like to acknowledge Vicky Burling for providing the love and care that Elverna needed.

She is preceded in death by her Parents, Silas and Joan; Sisters Wilhemina Big Medicine and Ranonne Dawes; Brothers Frankie, Franklin, and Quintin Big Medicine, and Kenneth Dawes;  Nieces Ceta, Alfajean and Jolynn Big Medicine, and Tamara Big Medicine; Nephew, Silas Big Medicine; Grandparents Edward and Florida House-Big Medicine, Norton and Ben Bear Below Sr., Tessie Reed; Forest, Violetta & Joan Horn;  Great Grandparents Sam and Mary Ann Horn; Aunts and Uncles Walter, Edward Jr., Vera, Charlotte, Grace, Annie, Donna, Maxine, Marietta, and Ethel Big Medicine; Special Friend Grover Whiteman who Elverna claimed as her brother.

Survivors include Siblings Eddie (Lauraine), Morton (Cedar), Gary Reed, Sr., Pete Big Hair, TR (Stephanie) Little Light, Pauline Little Light, Poncho Big Man, Burdick (Billie) Two Leggins, and Marjean (Bemus) Big Hair, and Vina White; Nieces and Nephews Jayanna Real Bird, Kerwin Old Elk, Christoper Francisco, Jihan, Kyle, and Dylan Big Medicine, Darla, Delea, Miriah, Shirley, Dray, Misty Rose, Asia, Kenyon , Antonia, Arlene, Thea, Tia, Vaughn, Julian, Christian, Skye, Colby, Pete, Flora, Peter, Lara, Craig, Joseph, Janetta, Charlena, Joshua, Sara, Jalen, Julia, Jenaya, and Baby Pete; Aunts and Uncles Richard (Wyma), Henry (Mary Elizabeth) Una Little Light, Al (Cleone) Holds, Ernie (Jane) Holds, Daniel (Leitha) Gunshows, Vicki Holds the Enemy, Rosella Shane, Shirley Bad Bear, Ava Bear Below, Alden Big Man, Joanie (Frank) Rowland, Trivian (Jeff) Rides the Bear, Rhonda (Larry Hogan) Horn, Roseline (Loren) Old Bear, Samuel (Darla) Horn, Christopher (Danette) Horn, Darrel Bright Wings, jr., Michael Horn, Deloris Takes Enemy, Mary (Edward) Iron, Raymond, and Bruce (Agatha) House; Grandparents Floyd Horn and Lloyd Pickett. Grandchildren Zeke Old Elk, Jaydel Elk Shoulder, Christian, Wesley, and Abram Peltier, Cailyn Big Medicine, Asher Moses, Marley and Brendan.

Her extended family includes Big Medicine, House, Old Horn, Two Leggins, Bear Below, Little Light, Reed, Takes Enemy, Couture, Kindness, Other Bull, Bloodman, Lincoln, Horn, Little Light, Big Man, Bad Bear, Goes Ahead, Pickett, Chavez, Hogan, Snell, Stevenson, Red Star, Driftwood, Carpenter, Bird, Wesley, Black Hair, High Nose, Chester Deputy Family and Doyle Families. Please forgive us if we have forgotten anyone in our time of bereavement.

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