Deanna Arlene StopsAtPrettyCamps

May 22, 20230

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Deanna Arlene StopsAtPrettyCamps

Deanna A. StopsAtPrettyCamps "Pretty Buffalo Women" Bishee Itchish passed away in Billings Clinic Hospital after a fall on her

knee-which broke her leg and caused extreme low blood pressure along with her kidneys to fail, on Wednesday, May 17th, 2023, surrounded by loved ones. She was born on April 30th, 1938, in Crow Agency, MT, the daughter of John Stops and Dorothy Big Lake Stops Hugs. She was raised by grandparents Percy and Gertrude (Bear Crane) Stops. She was a member of the greasy mouth clan.

Growing up, she went to school at Crow until attending Hardin High School. She attended the University of Sioux Falls where she received a bachelors in secondary education. Later she would work on a masters in psychology at North American Baptist

Seminary. While in Chicago, attending a women's college, she met and married Larry Milda (there on the relocation act).

Larry was then drafted into the Vietnam War, which was when Deanna started to hop around the country while caring for her family. Deanna eventually settled back in Crow Agency. She attended church regularly and played the piano at First Baptist Church. She would also participate in praying in her traditional ways. Deanna was a skilled dressmaker (elk tooth and buckskin), and beader, making regalia for herself and her family. As an educator, she worked in the Sioux Falls school system but found a great passion working as the former home-school coordinator of American Indian education at Sioux Falls Public Schools. She would always help her family when needed by offering guidance and her knowledge. She always enjoyed teaching her younger family members life lessons and tried to be there for them

As a direct descendant of Chief Pretty Eagle, Dorothy Big Lake Hugs gave her the right to wear the Bonnet in honor of Chief Pretty Eagle's family-in protocols of mother to the oldest daughter. As a young woman, she was honored by being asked to lead the Crow Fair Parade.

Deanna loved to travel to all kinds of traditional and competing powwows all around the region. She became a predominant figure for many young dancers and a respected member of the powwow community. She was an essential part of starting up the Great Plains Powwow, in Sioux Falls. She also won the titles of Miss Crow Nation and Miss Sheridan Frontier Days and was first runner-up for Miss Indian America. Using her storytelling talents to educate children at the Mahkato Wacipi's educational day always made her proud. She enjoyed going to bingo; at Saint Dennis Catholic Church to socialize with family and extended family.

She is preceded in death by daughter Rhonda Milda; parents John Stops and Dorothy Big Lake Hugs; adopted mother Pearl Hogan; brothers Robert Stops, Joseph Bear Cloud, Francis Bear Claw, Victor Singer, Ted Hogan, and Arlie Stops; sisters Verna Rogers, Violet Hugs, Roses Chesarek, Naomi Stops, Aletha Stops, and Germaine Sitting Crow; sons Phillip Wright, Dennis Quigley; great-great-grandson Easton Treasure Milda. Survivors include her children; sons Leon Milda, Richard Milda (Cyndy), and David Pretty Eagle; brothers Elias Hugs (Theodean), and Leo Hugs(Tammy); sisters Clara Hugs and Beldean Small, as well as 61 grandchildren, and 67 great-grandchildren. Adopted brothers Clifford Birdingground (Ardith), Burton Pretty On Top (Randean), Shawn Real Bird, and Marlon Passes (Debbie), James Cadwell (Maureen); sisters Ramona Real Bird, Ursula Russell (Barry), Velma Fitzpatrick, Delma Jean Yarlott, Gwen Plain Bull; daughters Sandy White Hawk, Laurie Lister, Tawa Witko & Catherine Grey Day,

A visitation will be held on Tuesday, May 23, 2023 from 1:00 P.M. to 5:00 P.M. at the Crow Tribal Multiple Purpose Building in Crow Agency, Montana.

A funeral service for Deanna StopsAtPrettyCamps will be held on Wednesday, May 24, 2023 at 11:00 A.M. at The Spirit of Life Foursquare Church in Crow Agency, Montana.

Honorary Casket Bearers will be Deanne Milda, Kuannah Milda, Zoey Whiteman, Carrissa Pickit, Keely Milda, Vanessa Afraid of Bear, Amber Whiteman and Grandchildren and Great-grandchildren of Deanna.

Casket Bearers will be Austin Dawes, William Afraid of Bear, Adam Milda, Kenneth Cadwell, David Pickit and Taylan Alden.

Interment will be held at GarryOwen Cemetery in Crow Agency, Montana.

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted, Minnesota assisted the family with funeral arrangements.

Visitation:

Tuesday, May 23, 2023

1:00 P.M. - 5:00 P.M.

Crow Tribal Multiple Purpose Building

Crow Agency, Montana

Funeral:

Wednesday, May 24, 2023

11:00 A.M.

Spirit of Life Foursquare Church