Billings Gazzette; Billings MT; 2000-10-16

Obituary: Delbert H. Big Lake

LODGE GRASS  Delbert H. Big Lake, 64, of Lodge Grass, passed away Saturday,
Oct. 14, 2000, in the Heritage Acres Nursing Home.
Alaakenne-eitchush Rides Good Horses was born April 17, 1936, in Crow
Agency, a son of James and Edith White Clay Big Lake. He grew up in the Crow
Agency and Hardin area, where he received his education.
He married Judith Jefferson and was later divorced. During his younger
years, he worked for the Campbell Farming Corporation, for the Holly Sugar
Factory, as a heavy equipment operator and as a custodian for the Lodge
Grass School system.
Delbert was a very traditional man, who was known throughout the Northwest
and Southwest areas of the United States as an outstanding Peyote singer and
drummer. He was a member of the Native American Church, Catholic Church, Bad
War Deeds Clan and was a child of the Sore Lip Clan. He also participated in
numerous Sun Dances, Peyote, Sweat Lodge and Fasting ceremonies.
He loved to watch his sons and grandsons participate in Lodge Grass sporting
events. He was known for his keen sense of humor.
Delbert was preceded in death by his parents; one brother, Thomas; and one
sister, Marcella.
Survivors include two daughters, Jennifer Big Lake of Lodge Grass and Rhonda
Alden of Billings; two sons, James (Safara) Big Lake of Lodge Grass and
Ronnie (Betty) Big Lake of Hardin; one adopted daughter, Fray (Victor) Nomee
of Lodge Grass; seven sisters, Ramona (Ira) Left Hand of Crow Agency,
Jeanean (Ralph) Turns Plenty of Hardin, Dorothy (Ray) Hair of California,
Lorraine Big Lake of Lewistown, Clarice (Edward) Denny, Loretta Three Irons
and Myra Left Hand of Dunmore; six brothers, Morris Big Lake of Broadus,
Archie (Davene) and Vern Big Lake of Hardin, Arlin Stewart, Kenneth (Diane)
and Vincent (Lauren) Spint of Crow Agency; five adopted sisters, Regena
Blaine, Carol Bull Tail, Doris Gets Down, Eva Bull Tail and Rowena Gets
Down; six adopted brothers, Ken (Fannie) Plenty and Howard (Vivian) Shane of
Garryowen, Blaine Bull Tail, Dewey (Mary Lynn) Bull Tail, Wales (Audrey)
Bull Tail and Harry (Magadeline) Moccasin of Lodge Grass; 12 grandchildren;
four great grandchildren; and his Tobacco Society adopted brothers and
sisters, Randy and Clarence Three Irons, Daisy Iron and Marlene Falls Down
Little Light
Funeral services will be held 10 a.m. Tuesday, Oct.17, in the Crow Agency
St. Dennis Catholic Church. Interment will follow in the Crow Agency
Cemetery. Bullis Mortuary of Hardin has been entrusted with the
arrangements.