Roseanne Left Hand Gray Hawk Boyd (Yu yutapi waste winyan-Good to look at Woman) left this world after a short battle with cancer surrounded by her loving children on Sunday August 31, 2014. She was born in the family home of twelve children in Old Kenel South Dakota on May 4, 1934 to Mary Jane (Poitra) and Henry George Left Hand. She attended schools at Fort Yates Boarding School and Marty Mission School.
Roseanne came to Poplar in 1954 to babysit for her aunt Flora Culbertson and met Benjamin Gray Hawk Jr. The two were married in 1955 and to this union 7 children were born and even though they later divorced, they remained close friends until Benji’s death February 1, 1998. In 1986 she married James A. Boyd whom she later divorced.
She is survived by her children: Mary Ellen Frislie, Tote (Willa) Gray Hawk, Jolene Walles, Brad (Maureen) Gray Hawk, Lennie (Belle) Gray Hawk, Ben (Julia) Gray Hawk III, Cedric (Chelsie) La Fromboise all of Poplar, Terrie Lee (Lonnie) Green of Iola Texas,. Also adopted children Pete Dupree, Terry Gray Hawk, Justin (Orlonda) Gray Hawk, Jason (Tracey) Gray Hawk, Melda Gray Hawk, Lisa Wettlin, and Shantree Escarcega all of Poplar, Joyce Growing Thunder of California, Ceya Long Hair, and Sandra Yellow Hammer of Fort Kipp and Tommy Baker of Kenel, South Dakota, Adopted nephew Louis Buck Elk. Sisters Germaine Demery, Elaine St. John, Shirley Poitra and one brother Clayton Left Hand all of Kenel South Dakota, and an ex-son and daughter-in-law whom she thought dearly of; Julie Gray Hawk of Minnesota and Roger Frislie of Colstrip Montana.
In her early years Roseanne helped her father break horses, and helped her mother doctor many people as well as helped to deliver many children, in fact mom delivered her first baby when she was 9 years old! She was a tough cowgirl and was still chopping her own wood at the age of 60.
She loved to visit and enjoyed cooking and fed many people over the years, her motto was “If you leave this house hungry, it’s your own damn fault!”. Mom enjoyed spending time with her family, playing cards, and sewing and she made many western shirts, dancing outfits, patch work quilts and especially star quilts. In her early years she enjoyed beading and taught her children to bead. She raised chickens, turkeys and had a garden.
Roseanne was preceded in death by her parents, and her son Henry Gray Hawk Sr, sisters Alberta Rough Surface, Elsie Martin, Minnie La Fromboise, Esther Silk and adopted sister Leona Claymore, and brothers Theodore, Benny and Ambose Left Hand.
She also leaves behind 63 grandchildren, 89 great grandchildren and 1 great, great grandchild.
A wake will be held 7 p.m. Sunday, September 7 at the James Black Dog Community Center in Fort Kipp, MT. The funeral service will be held 10 a.m. Monday September 8 at the James Black Dog Community Center in Fort Kipp with burial at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel of Wolf Point has been entrusted with the arrangements. Condolences can be sent to the family using the form below.
Deanne "Sugar Bear" Bear Catches says
Prayers and thoughts to my Tiospaye in Poplar, Mt. Rest peacefully Auntie <3!
Jason & Nathelle Frederick says
Mary Ellen & Family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, during this difficult time. We send our deepest condolences.
Jason & Nathelle Frederick & Family
Rose Morsette says
Sending prayers your way.nieces & nephews.you had a awesome mother.a good teacher.very thankful to have such wonderful family. so many good memories of your mother.Cold or not this lady would get the job done. Love you all.Auntie Rose& Uncle John &family
Shawn "Silbs" Silbernagel says
Some of my fondest memories from my childhood are of our family driving up from Sidney to visit Gramma Roseanne. She made that legendary Winyan Catka frybread and wojapi. The first time I ever had frybread with raisins in it was at Gramma Roseanne’s, as well as the first time I had Indian Tacos with kidney beans in them. I remember listening to the elders visit for hours, while drinking coffee and smoking chunz. Meanwhile, there would be some cowboys outside breaking horses. I think of those times often. I also constantly have my entire extended Tiyospaye in my thoughts and prayers, thanks to the teachings of Gramma Roseanne and the rest of the elders. I love you all…
Christopher Grayhawk says
Grandma I love you and miss you already I don’t care if no one in the family likes me and has things to say about me, im going to school for you and I promise im going to stay in school until I graduate. I love you grandma and heck with what everybody says.
Gary & Linda Widener says
Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family, during this difficult time. We send our deepest condolences.
Gary and Linda Widener
Paulette Leinen says
Terrie and Mary Ellen,
Our condolences to you for the loss
of your mother. She was such a wonderful
lady. I always enjoyed visiting with her when
she came into Wally’s. She always talked
about all her kids. She loved you all very
much. May she rest in peace.
Paulette and Clete Leinen
Ira & Karla Ricker Family says
For all my relatives near and far, my the Great Spirit console you in your time of need. God speed Aunt Rosanne. Every time we met, you always had a smile on your kind face. I will never forget you. You were a good hearted soul, which is very rare. Rosanne, You will be missed by all who knew you. God be with you.
Ira Ricker & Family
Susan Twichel says
Terrie Lee and family–
My thoughts and prayers are with you. May the Lord bless and keep you; your sweet momma is watching over you, pain free, and so proud of the wonderful people you all have become!
Susan(Hagadone) Twichel and family
Brenda Red Horn says
prayers are with all of you, she was a mom to a lot of children, R.I.P. ROSEANNE.
June Jensen says
Teri and Family Thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family on the loss of your mom, God bless you all June Johnson Jensen
kyle says
i love you grandma am going to miss the heck out of you hope one of this day i see u up there one of this days i love you grandma