Kenneth Toineeta

Funeral August 27, 2021 Burial Toineeta Black Eagle Family Cemetery

Kenneth Langdon Toineeta, 81 of Lodge Grass, Montana made his journey to paradise on August 23, 2021 in Billings, Montana, following a short battle with COVID.

Kenneth was born on July 22, 1940 to Winona Yellowtail and Oliver Hugs, Sr. Edwin Toineeta and Winona’s sister, Joy Yellowtail Toineeta took Kenneth, at the age of two and raised him as their own. Grandma Joy told us, “One of the best things we do as Crow people, is to share our children with each other and that is a good thing.” Kenneth was a member of the Greasy Mouth clan and a child of the Greasy Mouth.

Kenneth grew up in the Lodge Grass area where he attended and graduated from Lodge Grass High School. He went on to college at MSU Bozeman and EMC Billings where he studied Civil Engineering and Business Administration. Kenneth enlisted in the U.S. Army on January 19, 1962 and was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas as a Topographical Construction Surveyor.

In October of 1962 he was one of four Crow soldiers who were sent to Fort Stewart Georgia where the Cuban Missile Crisis was unfolding. Those four Crow soldiers included: Wallace Redstar a Marine, Kenneth Toineeta, Raymond Pisano and Buster Leider, US Army. Kenneth told his daughter, Audrey, “We were on the verge of war with the Soviet Union, who were setting up war heads in Cuba. There was no way to contact our families, we were ready for whatever came next. We were hours away from nuclear war and eventually that war was averted by the grace of God and the strength of JFK.” Kenneth and Raymond both had black and white pictures of JFK and also had the honor of shaking his hand. Raymond Pisano said, “There is so much more to tell about that time, but I wouldn’t know where to start. It took me two weeks to locate my brother Kenneth at Fort Stewart Georgia and when I finally found him, we were like Charlie Brown just found Snoopy.” Kenneth and Raymond had a close bond and always referred to each other as, brother.

Kenneth went to work for the BIA-Roads Department as an Engineering technician, where he worked for many years. In 1973, he went to work at Westmoreland Resources in the Engineering Department as a Cartographer, where he worked for 35 years and retired in 2008. In 2009, he was appointed as Co-Director of the 107 Committee along with his close friend Lucky Dreamer. During this time, Kenneth and Lucky created committees who worked on issues and projects that impacted Crow people. These committees wrote bills that were submitted to the Crow Legislature in an effort to improve living conditions on the Crow Reservation.

Kenneth married Ann Pease-Pisano on May 28, 1959. From this union, four children were born which included: Audrey, Robin, Wesley and April Toineeta. The couple later divorced. In 1973, Kenneth married Maude Williamson and from this union a son, Jerrett Scott Toineeta was born. The couple later divorced.

Kenneth was a guitar player. At the age of 13, Kenneth’s mother, Joy Toineeta bought him a Spanish guitar, and this is where his love for music began, he studied and took lessons, always perfecting his guitar playing. His guitar took him many places. Kenneth went on to be a member of several bands which included: The Maniacs: comprised of Kenneth, Wallace, Kevin, Wendell Redstar, the Electric Indians comprised of: Kenneth, Homer Simons, Jared Stewart, Rex Chavez, Mervel Harris and Hugh Blacksmith, Jr. Kenneth also played in bands with his close friend Larry Falls Down, Sr. Kenneth’s son, Scott recently bought him a new acoustic guitar that he enjoyed playing. Kenneth has two grandsons who are guitar players, Levi and Sonny Morales.

Kenneth gave his life to the Lord and had a number of teachings which included End time Hebrew teachings which he shared with family and friends. Conducting bible studies in many places. He guided his children to know the Lord and provided many scriptures to his children and grandchildren. His most important bible scripture was John 3:16. Kenneth loved his children and grandchildren and had special bonds with each of them.

Kenneth was proceeded in death by his parents; his brothers, Sonny Hugs, Franklin Plenty Hoops, Dallas Hugs, Jerome Hugs, William Hugs, Walter “Mickey” Stewart & Raymond Pisano. Sisters; Linda Hugs and Pansy Hugs. His son, Wesley Langdon Toineeta. Granddaughters; Juliet Toineeta, Amanda Toineeta, Audie Rae Toineeta, Chelsea Desjarlais, Chelsea Toineeta. Grandsons; Aubrey Elias Black Eagle, Sr., and great- grandson, Tanner Black Eagle.

Kenneth is survived by his sisters, Merle Jean Harris, Edwina Oot (Steve) Amyotte, and Sherry Hugs. His brothers; Frank, Leland, Harvey (Ann) Hugs, Pie (Shirleen) Glenn and Butch (Ann) Whiteman. His children: Audrey (Cedric) Black Eagle, Robin Toineeta, April (Cameron Tobacco) Toineeta, Jerrett Scott (Misty) Toineeta, Pete Schenderline, adopted daughter Philomine Spint. His grandchildren that he loved dearly: Randall Langdon Black Eagle, Dylan (Cora) Black Eagle, Levi (Brocade) Black Eagle, Alicia BB Toineeta, Amber Stone, Larris (Heather) Male Bear, Jordale Redwolf Toineeta, Curtis Yellowtail, Eva Yellowtail, Lana Houston, (Twins) Christiana & Christian Toineeta, Shane & Faydra Toineeta, Sharon Rose Toineeta, (Twins) Elijah Happy Day Toineeta, Elisha Toineeta, Sonny Morales, Perry Langdon Toineeta, Lance McAfee, Amica (Jeff) Jefferson, RAD Desjarlais, Miclo (Tamara) Flores, Brianna (Monte) Toineeta, George Kenneth Toineeta, Angelina Toineeta, Edwin Toineeta, Williamson Toineeta and Jonathon Toineeta. Kenneth had many nieces and nephews that he loved as his own.

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