Lois Marie Rides Horse - Haleyalbung

Lois Marie Rides Horse passed peacefully to the Other Side Camp on Sunday April 26, 2026. Ishbaasho Iibalaxeesh, “Sings With Her Feathers,” was born to Lewis and Doradelia (Old Elk) Rides Horse in Crow Agency, Montana on July 28, 1958. She attended schools in Crow Agency and Hardin, Montana and Lake Oswego, Oregon, and graduated from Hardin High School. She continued her higher education at Rocky Mountain College, Little Big Horn College, and the University of Hawaii - Maui. She valued work and fondly remembered her first job as a little girl selling beads with Sarah Shane. One of her favorite occupations was working one on one with a visually impaired student beginning in elementary school at 3rd grade until his high school graduation. She also worked as a Messenger for Health from its beginning, and her outreach work with Alma McCormick for the women of the Crow Nation was of great importance to her. In any occupation she chose, she spent her time with those who needed help the most.

Lois was proud of her Crow and Cree heritage. She was a member of the Reno District and represented the Crow Nation as Miss Crow Fair 1977, traveling to powwows with her parents across the USA and Canada, and later instilling that love for dancing and travel in her family. Lois Marie was an excellent horsewoman and loved to parade on her favorite horses, named Demon and Crow Fair. She was a Sundancer, and a member of the Night Hawk Society, Gourd Dance Society, and a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. She was a talented singer and played the piano, clarinet, and flute, and was often called upon to sing for all types of gatherings. She was also an accomplished cook, seamstress, and beader. 

Lois Marie married John Haleyalbung and together, they welcomed their children Nicolette, John, Elora, and Isaac. As a family, they welcomed many children into their home who needed a safe place, no matter who they were and without compensation.  Although they divorced, her greatest joy in life was being a mother and grandmother. 

Lois Marie will always be remembered for her kindness, humor, and the way she listened and loved without judgement. 

Lois Marie is preceded in death by her parents, Lewis and Doradelia Rides Horse, her dad Michael Ney, grandparents George and Evelyn Old Elk, Stanley and Emma Rides Horse, daughter Elora Haleyalbung, son John Bemo; nieces RoyLynn and Hannah Rides Horse, Beth Kellum, and Jennifer Chasing Hawk, nephew Christopher Iron, brothers Adrian Medicine Horse, Leland Stewart, Meinrod, Curtis, Roy, and Kary Grant Rides Horse.

Lois Marie is survived by her mother Karla Ney, daughters Nicolette Haleyalbung and Evaline Rides Horse, son Isaac Saligmai, granddaughters Lauryn and Kawena Real Bird and Maybelle Pettey, brothers Stanford Rides The Horse, Stanley Rides Horse, Isaac Seibmei, Albert Haleyaluo, Joe Roubmai, Linson Sautalyal, Marcellino Mailuf, Marvin Yangrileg, sisters Delora Old Elk, Theo Hugs, Grace Bellrock, Emma Richardson, Sherry Rides Horse, Mindy Reed, Kristen Neilson, Michelle Anderson, Robin Call, Martha Singer, Theresa Sends Part Home, Velda Deputee, Grace Lesaiugyaro, Simona Leyarofwel, Cindy Taibemal, her special childhood Friend in the Crow tradition, Carol Good Luck, uncles Lawrence (Carol), Clayton (Georgianna), Walter (Colleen), John (Karen) Old Elk, aunts Carlene and Janet Old Elk, Gwendolyn Plain Bull, Valerie Hogan, and Velma Fitzpatrick. Every one of her nieces and nephews were very dear to her heart. She had too many special friends, coworkers, and relatives to name here, but she was loved by many, and she loved and cared deeply for them all in return.

The extended family includes Rides Horse, Old Elk, Birdinground, Onion, Chief Child, Bends, Takes Horse, Reed, Fighter, Raining Bird, Chief Stick, Chief Goes Out, Top Sky, Bell Rock, Old Bear, Deputy, Hunts Arrow, Walks, Old Crow, Rock Above, Many Hides, Little Bear, Big Hair, Calf Rope, Weasel Tail, White Dirt, Yellow Eyes, and Shoulderblade.

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