Reverend Enright Vernon Bighorn Sr. was called Home to be with the Lord on January 23, 2021, following a short illness at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, North Dakota. He was born November 5, 1950, to Jacob and Mabel (Foote) Bighorn Crowbelt in Poplar, Montana on the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Reservation. He was given the name “Wahinkpe Duta” (Red Arrow), which was passed down to be given to him by his father, Jacob.
Enright attended Brockton Schools, Brockton, Montana, graduating as Salutatorian in 1968. A talented basketball player for the Brockton Warriors, he was a member of the 1966 Warriors team along with his cousins that were Conference, District, and Divisional Champions and then Consolation (3rd place) Champs at the State Tournament. He continued to play basketball after high school in independent basketball tournaments in the Phoenix valley and surrounding states, while on his brother Narcisse Bighorn’s independent basketball team.
Following high school, he attended Cook Christian Training School in Tempe, Arizona. While there, he met the love of his life, his wife, Cyndi, who he was married to for 50 years. They were married May 8, 1970 in Tempe, Arizona. During Cook School, he did his internship in Idaho at First Presbyterian Church and First Indian Presbyterian Church on the Nez Perce Indian Reservation. After graduating from Cook School, he served at Goodwill Presbyterian Church (Sisseton, SD) and Bdecan Presbyterian Church (Tokio, ND), as well as Ascension Presbyterian Church (Sisseton, SD) most recently. He spent most of his years as pastor at Lindsey Memorial Presbyterian Church (Poplar, MT), Makaicu Presbyterian Church (Riverside, MT) and Rev. Lloyd Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church (Fort Kipp, MT) and at times he preached at United Dakota Presbyterian Church (Wolf Point, MT), Cansuska Presbyterian Church (Frazer, MT) and Mni-Sda Presbyterian Church (Chelsea, MT).
Enright attended the Navajo Police Academy and graduated as top cadet in 1975. He was employed with the Navajo Nation Police Department and Williston Police Department (North Dakota) in the mid-70s for a short time before he answered his calling to go into ministry full-time for 40+ years.
He attended the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary (Dubuque, IA) and then in 1996 he was ordained as a minister for the Presbyterian Church (USA) at his home church, Rev. Lloyd Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church, in Fort Kipp, Montana, serving in the Presbytery of Dakota (PCUSA).
On September 20, 2012, following the funeral services of Betty Ann Black Dog, Enright was honored by the Red Eagle and Good Bird families and bestowed the honor of Spiritual Chief for the Fort Peck Assiniboine and Sioux Tribes and he was presented a war bonnet. The Badland Singers made a song for him which was an honor he was so proud of.
In his younger days, Enright enjoyed hunting, riding horseback, growing gardens, traveling to Arizona & New Mexico to visit relatives and farming/ranching. Every day he liked reading the daily Bible devotions and scripture reading, visiting, reading the newspaper, telling old stories, sharing the family history, listening to all kinds of music such as, Steve Emery, old country, gospel, Selah and other Christian music, and watching John Wayne movies and other western movies, as well as Hoosiers, Rudy and The Waltons, to name a few.
He was a doting grandparent and helped raise his four grandchildren, Rayanna, Chassidy, Ronnie and John, and he always wished he lived closer to his grandkids, Devin and Alexus, in Arizona. He loved to visit with his great-granddaughter, Willa Rose, whether on the phone or when she came to the house.
Enright is preceded in death by his mother, Mabel Bernice Foote Bighorn; father, Jacob Maurice Bighorn Crowbelt Sr.; his sisters, Doris Ann Bighorn, Ione Bighorn, Doris Rae Bighorn Andrews; brothers, Maynard Bighorn, Narcisse Bighorn, and Jacob Bighorn Jr.; his nephew, Michael “Speedy” Youngman Jr.; his niece, Frances Jo Moore; his adopted brothers, Harold Buck Elk and Lionel Kinunwa; and his best friend in Sisseton, Francis “Punchie” Charging Cloud.
Enright is survived by his wife, Cynthia (Martin) Bighorn (Sisseton, SD); his son, Enright Bighorn Jr. (Sisseton, SD); his daughters, Mary Bighorn (Sisseton, SD), Carrie Bighorn (Browns Valley, MN) and Jennifer (Kevin) Shorter (San Tan Valley, AZ); his grandchildren, Rayanna Bighorn, Chassidy Bighorn, Ronald “Ronnie” Eagle, John “JC” Bighorn, Devin Shorter, Alexus Shorter and his great granddaughter, Willa Rose Renville; his sisters, LaVonne Looking Elk (Rapid City, SD), Iola Scott and Kristie (Elmer) Crowbelt DeCoteau, both from Poplar, MT; his brothers-in-law Timothy Martin (Rehoboth, NM) and Murray Andrews (Brockton, MT); his sister-in-law Deloria Bighorn (Duncan, British Columbia, Canada); his adopted sister Eileen (Buck Elk) Buckman; his nephews, Jacob (Carmen) Moore, Lyle (Suzanne) Bighorn, Talbert (Lora) Looking Elk, Terence Looking Elk, Jordan (Meleyna) Bighorn, Kai Lane Bighorn, Joaquin Andrews, Ramon Cloke, Brian Amos, and Jeremiah DeCoteau; his nieces Ruth Moore, Sheryl Looking Elk, Sheila (Paul) Looking Elk-Fanning, Lisa (Pete) Hatten, Michelle Wilsey, Muriel Youngman, Jelana Bighorn, Zebe Andrews, Cory (Tim) Lingle, Verna (Patrick) Shilow, Alice Long Hair, and Lynnette Long Hair; his adopted daughters Joel Rae Ferguson (Poplar, MT), Audria Jordan (Chandler, AZ), Victoria (Mike) VanArsdale (Mesa, AZ), Stacey (John) Menz Summers (Wolf Point, MT), Danelle (Matthew) Menz Olson (Fort Kipp, MT); and numerous cousins, nieces and nephews. There are also many Hunka relatives: Charlotte Weston family, Lester & Louise Crawford family, Gene & Deborah Heminger family, the Menz family, the Red Fox family, Alta German family, the Jeanette Crawford family and many more. Sincere apologies for not being able to list everyone.
Pallbearers will be Dakota Johannessen, Kiyen Andrews, Darwin Longtree, Titan Pipe, Golden Walking Eagle and Myron Menz.
Honorary pallbearers will be Darrell Renville, Leonard Crowbelt Jr., Ernie Bighorn Jr., Ernie Joe Lambert, Sybil Doris Erickson, Darlene Left Hand, Carl Lufkins Sr. and Reverend Ken Lehman.
A Viewing will be held Tuesday, January 26, 2021 from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM at Cahill Funeral Chapel, 516 East Cherry Street, Sisseton, South Dakota 57262.
On Friday, January 29, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 7:00 PM, a public viewing will be held at the Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point, Montana immediately followed by an Evening Prayer Service at 7:00 PM.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 AM on Saturday, January 30, 2021 at the Red Eagle Memorial Presbyterian Church, Fort Kipp, Montana, followed by interment at Fort Kipp Community Cemetery. Services will be officiated by Mr. Dean Bighorn, Commissioned Ruling Elder. Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, South Dakota is entrusted with arrangements in collaboration with Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel, Wolf Point, Montana.
Condolences for the family can be left by using the form below.
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday January 29, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Friday January 29, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 30, 2021
Red Eagle Presbyterian Church
Fort Kipp, Montana
Service Schedule
Viewing
4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Friday January 29, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Prayer Service
7:00 p.m.
Friday January 29, 2021
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel
102 Custer Street
Wolf Point, Montana 59201
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Saturday January 30, 2021
Red Eagle Presbyterian Church
Fort Kipp, Montana
David E. Boyd Sr. & Chong Ae Boyd says
Cousin your journey is done and prayers for your family.
Judy Falcon says
My prayers and condolences to the family. Hugs to my friend Jennifer, sorry for your loss.
corrine shields says
Prayers of comfort to the family.Condolences Iam saddened of his passing he used to be our pastor at the presbyterian church here in Poplar.He was a great pastor.Heaven gained another angel.Corrine & family
Cissy Eagleman, Cookie and family says
Uncle Enright, you will be missed greatly. But I know that you are healed and whole, you were an awesome child of God. I remember your sermons and words of condolences at funerals. I could just sit there and listen to you without the thought of time that has passed. You had that gift from God and you used it. You know you have all always been on my mind and in my thoughts and prayers throughout the years. The whole family has been.
Prayers and Condolences to the family & friends. Aunt Cindy, girls & Jr. my heart, prayers and love are with you all.
Patrick J. Southam says
Enright was a good man and a good friend. May God chase sorrow away from the door of all who mourn and miss him.
Rick & Wanda Kirn says
Our condolences to Enright’s family. The Lord gained another good and faithful servant.
Delilah Amos & family says
We will surely miss you Cousin, what a true deciple of the Lord and we thank you for teaching & ministering to ALL to follow in the Lord’s footsteps. Your ministering has touched many people and we offer up Prayers for Cyndi and all your family.
McGeorge DeMarrias Jr. says
Uncle, you are now on the other side and hope it’s an ok place. I appreciate the advice you have given me in the past and will miss speaking with you. Condolences to the family / cousins, stay strong.
Britney Spotted Bird says
It was an honor to have you as family. Prayers and condolences to your wife, children and grandchildren. Heaven must be beautiful because God gained another angel. Tokska.
Caleb Shields says
Enright, it has always been a honor to have known you and to have been invited by you to the Red Eagle Church when you were ordained there. I have always enjoyed your sermons in Poplar and was so sorry to hear of your passing into the hands of God, We will all miss you my friend. My wife Yvonne and and I are now living in Mesa, Arizona so we won’t be able to attend your services . Rest In Peace My Friend.
Donald Lee Boyd says
R.I.P. Uncle Enright Big Horn Sr
Will Miss You So Much And I Will Always Remember The Long Funeral Services You Had Did For So Many Families On The Fort Peck Reservation And You Always Tell Everyone How Each Other How We Were All Related In Some Way Not Suffering Anymore R.I.P. Uncle Enright..
Carlos J Buck Elk | Firenze, Italia says
Oh my gosh, I’m so saddened to hear of Enright’s passing, he had a special calming presence at all times. My condolences to the entire family ❤️
Joseph Red Star says
My prayers an condolences go out the family, relatives, an many friends of Rev. Enright V. Bighorn Sr. He will be dearly missed but not forgotten in the hearts of so many lives he touch by his smile, handshake, or his gentle words of gods compassion. This is from the Red Star family in Poplar, Mt., an South Dakota. Prayers from a friend & fiancé – Joseph & Stephan Red Star of Sioux Falls, South Dakota
Gina Bearfighter says
Those of faith Do not belong to the world. Those of faith belong to God.
My prayers for comfort ascend to the Father our Lord Jesus Christ for all who are grieving and to the family-may peace accompany you & your prayers as you continue your journey here.
“Sorry for your loss..” is not Something that I would say because it doesn’t make sense to me. Instead I will say, “We carry Enright in our hearts because he touched our heart in so many good ways.”
My mother is Abigail Reddoor, most people know her as Yvonne Reddoor and It is through my mother I met Reverend Enright Bighorn.
I met Reverend Enright Bighorn when I was a teenager in the 1980s during the Dakota Presbytery Bible Youth Camps and that is where I heard about God and salvation. These are the memories that I will keep in my heart that I will never forget what a kind man he was.
As an adult I have continued to seek the Lord with all my mind, heart and soul and I have come to know God through Jesus Christ and I wanted to share this with all of you:
God’s Will is That the Soul of Each Believer Bear the Likeness of Christ.
Though God can and does heal the physical body (a gift of the Spirit), His covenant promises and blessings in Christ is for the healing of the soul. This is the divine transformation that takes place daily when you have a covenant relationship with God. Your faith can reach this benchmark everyday without fail and there are many tangible signs God provides to covenant believers that their faith meets His expectation perfectly.
Apostle Peter taught believers about the divine power for the divine natuure.
2 Peter 1:3-4
3 According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:
4 Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
It brings great joy to my heart to reflect on this: that we have been bought with a price, and we are no longer our own, but have been adopted by a new birthing of the Spirit as sons & servants of the Most High. And through this newness of life we no longer heed former habits of the natural man to serve self, but by faith, we abide in Christ, always mindful of glorifying God in our body, and in our spirit, which are God’s. [1Cor 6:19,20 & 7:23& 24] Praise God!
Mike Martin says
My the peace of our lord be with you and family . Our thoughts and prayers at this time .
Rev. Father Michael Schneider says
My prayers and consolations are extended to the family and community. During my years of serving Poplar, Brockton and Fort Kipp I appreciated the wisdom and pastoral presence of Rev. Enright Bighorn, and the members of his community who community who assisted with our inculturated Masses by their leading us with Native American language music at annual Pow Wows.
Rev. Father Michael Schneider says
My prayers and consolations are extended to the family and community. During my years of serving Poplar, Brockton and Fort Kipp I appreciated the wisdom and pastoral presence of Rev. Enright Bighorn, and the members of his community who would assist with our inculturated Masses by their leading us with Native American language music at annual Pow Wows.