Theda Walks

Theda started her final journey with angels escorting her to paradise to make Heaven her home on August 3, 2024, weeks before her 74th birthday.

Theda Rachel Walks was born August 26, 1950 to Daniel and Esther PlentyHawk Walks. Theda’s Indian name is Ahpaaxé Héele Baláxi-k “Sings With in the Clouds.” Theda was born in Hardin, Montana, when the hospital was still located on 3rd Street. Theda is a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan and a child of Big Lodge.

Theda grew up in St. Xavier, Montana. She attended school at St. Xavier Public School and St. Xavier Mission School, before graduating from Riverside Indian School, Anadarko, Oklahoma in 1971, the school’s Centennial year. Theda graduated from Little Big Horn College, Crow Agency, Montana in 1984. The first class to graduate from LBHC.

Theda had a beautiful voice and was asked to sing at church and at weddings. She loves to sing “How Great Thou Art” and “O Holy Night” in which she sang in the Crow language. Most days in the summer months, you can hear her singing along the banks of the Rotten Grass Creek that goes through the homestead.

Theda worked in all levels of the school system from driving school bus to coaching basketball. She took care of children all her life. She helped raise most of her nephews and nieces.

Theda is preceded in death by her daughter, Rochelle Old Horn; her parents; grandparents George and Emma Kenawash Walks, Mortimer and Hannah Comes From Above PlentyHawk; brothers, Gordon Wayne Tobacco, Tommy, Cliniton, Leland Sr. Walks, Barnett, Daniel PlentyHawk; sisters, Constance Hogan Stewart, Bernadine Tobacco, Lois Tobacco Chavez and Lou Ann Tobacco Harjo.

Theda is survived by her grandchildren, Suellyn Walks, Arlis Whitebear; daughter, Shyra Walks; sons, Johnny (Erlis) Harjo, Donnie (Merlene) Harjo and Emilio Walks Sr.; brothers, Manford (Julie), Ira (Beverly), Alfred (Roberta) and Conrad Walks; sisters, Lucille (Oliver) Yarlott, Arnetta Walks, Twila, Lena Brown, Regina Big Hair Falls Down, Trudy Hatten, Janice Knowstheground, and Arlene Iron. Theda leaves behind a host of cousins and friends that she always included in her prayers.

Extended family: Plentyhawk, Walks, Lefthand, Hatten, Menards, Brown, Bighair, Blaine Bulltail, Smart Enemy, Fighter, MedicineTail, children of Lena Walks, Little Owl, Snell. The children of Hannah Morrison, Big Man and descendants of Chief Kennawash of the Cree Nation.

Our family is large and too numerous to mention, we apologize if we missed any names during this difficult time.

The family would like to thank the staff at Awekualawaache Care Center for taking care of our loved one.

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