Russell Lee Denny Sr (Ampa U “Coming day”), was born on December 28th, 1951 to Vearle and Eunice (Blacktail) Denny. He joined his siblings, Nancy Denny Dumont, Sunny (Bill) Whitehead, Iris “Cissie” Anderson, Orrin (Dorothy) Denny, Jeanne (Karl) Denny Reinlasoder, and Lyle Denny. Dad was the baby of his siblings. He grew up in Poplar for most of his life. Dad worked many jobs, but his main occupation was truck driving. Dad was an old school cowboy, where he lived and participated in the cowboy way. Dad had a great honor to be able to coach his nephew Zach Atkinson in his bull riding days. Where Zach achieved high standards in the rodeo circuit. Dad also practiced in his traditional ways, which he took great pride in. He is a member of the original Bad Land Singers. He followed the powwow trail and gained numerous friends and family throughout Indian country.
In June 1967 dad met Janice Chapman, where he gained a daughter Bernita Chapman Granbois, she was the first to call him dad. Later they had one daughter, Vearlene Emerine.
1983 dad met Andy Gray, to this union they had one daughter and two boys. Benicia Gray, Russell Lee Jr, Royce “Miles” Denny
1989 dad met, Gwen Gourneau, to this union Holly Rae was born.
1993 dad met Claudia Scott, he welcomed into his life Neal Garrick, Miranda Rose, Carla Mckenzie, and Alexis Dawn. Later on, Thomas Lee, Debbie Lynn, and KayLee Marie were born.
Dad took the rope of a father figure to Jalee, Zack, and PJ after his brother JD passed away.
Dad had numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren that he loved and cherished equally. He also had numerous nieces and nephews that he took as his own.
Dad was adopted by the Gray Hawk’s, Atkinson’s and Hale’s.
Extended family, Spottedbirds, Menz, Runsabove, Boyds, White Eagle, Half Red, Stafne, Medicinecloud, Blacktail, Wetsit, Growing Thunder, Betshismedicine, Sheilds, Necklace, Hawk, Flynn, Blackdog, Reddog, Starr, Medicine Stone, Bear, Lester, Escarsega, Yellowhammer, Bearcub, Eashoppie, and Bearstail. If we failed to mention anyone, it wasn’t our intention. Dad was blessed with a big family.
He is survived by brothers Lyle Denny, Bill (Musky) Hale Jr, Neal Hale, Tom (Georgia) Atkinson, Jaimie Atkinson, Denver (Rose) Atkinson, Tote (Willa) Gray hawk, Brad (Maureen) Gray Hawk, Terry Gray Hawk, Justin Gray Hawk (Orlanda), and Jason Gray Hawk. Sister-in-law Leta Atkinson, Dorthy Denny, Tana Atkinson, Rhonda Atkinson, and sisters, Melda Gray Hawk, and Sissy Atkinson. Children Bernita (Don) Granbois, Vearlene (Allen Buckles) Denny, Russell Denny Jr, Royce (Miles) Denny, Holly (Jason) Hamilton Sr., Neal Scott, Miranda Scott, Carla (Brady) Scott, Alexis (Nick) Scott, Thomas (Shelby) Scott Denny, Debbie Scott, and KayLee (Lexi) Scott
He is proceeded in death by his parents Vearle and Eunice (Blacktail) Denny, brothers, Sunny Bill Whitehead, Orrin Denny, JD Atkinson, Bobby Atkinson, Gale Dusty Menz, and Thomas Escarsega Sr. sisters Nancy Denny Dumont, Iris “Cissie” Anderson, Jeanne Denny Reinlasoder. Great granddaughter Johnny girl Magnan. Infant son, Rusty.
Dad, we are going to miss you dearly, but we all knew you were ready to go home. We will continue to share all the fond memories of you. We love you.
A wake will be held on November 29th at 7:00 p.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center. Funeral services will be held on November 30th at 11:00 a.m. at the Poplar Cultural Center. Interment will follow at Poplar City Cemetery.
Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.
Service Schedule
Funeral Service
11:00 a.m.
Thursday November 30, 2023
Poplar Cultural Center
Poplar, Montana 59255
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Lucy Redekopp says
My sincere condolences to the family. He was one of brother Demo best friends. Rip cowboy.
Shari says
My sincere condolences to your families.
Tim/Iva Zimmerman says
Condolences to the family! Prayers to all family!
Debra M. says
Condolences to Rusty’s family . Prayers for all .
Lynette Ross and Russell Shields says
My sincere condolences to the family. Your dad was a great person. He will be missed and he also had a wonderful personality. So may your dad rest in peace. Just know that God has gained another beautiful 👼. He had a heart of gold that touched many people who knew him. Rest In Peace.
Ej Lambert says
Fly high and have a good journey to the other side of the camp brother I will cherish our good times …. I will see you again
Mike Crow says
Rest easy my friend. We knew each other most of our lives and had our fun off and on during those times. I remember most when we got in a fight together down at beer can flats and whipped up on the thugs…lol. Even though you was a cowboy and I was a hippie…we were still friends throughout our lives…crazy huh!? lol It was very nice to visit you periodically during your sickness and recall lots of good times and people who we knew in the past and people of old. I’m sure we’ll meet up again! See you on the other side!
Joel n Marcella GB says
Fly high with the Angels cousin..we were so saddened to hear you left us for the Spirit world ..may you find peace n all your family waiting for you..what a glorious day in the spirit world! May your family be comforted with precious memories of you 💙 doksha cousin til we meet again..
Deb Bruner says
Condolences to the family…
He’ll be deeply missed!
Give grandpa Verl and grandma Eunice a hug for me.
Hugs and prayers 🙏🙏 for his children and Uncle Lyle.
Lynette Ross says
My sincere condolences to the family. Just know that your dad was a great man and with a heart of gold that has touched so many people that knew him. God had gained a another beautiful angel. May the Lord comfort the family through this difficult time!!
Tim & Iva Zimmerman says
Condolences to the family
So sorry for your loss!
Gay Pennington says
Rusty was only one great cowboy.. Nobody can never feel his shoes. I just love talking to him. He made you feel like a great friend. His smile was so cute. Rusty its going be hard not seeing you around.RIP my Cowboy!!💔💔🐴🐴💔💔🐴🐴🙏🙏🙏
Claudette Stanley says
RIP uncle. I love you. I always wanted to go visit you.
My condolences to all your loved ones. Prayers for all the family. ❤️🙏🏼😔
Fly high uncle.
Trivian Young Bear-Nault says
Condolences to my Nieces and Nephews and my Cousin Lyle. I will miss you Cousin Russ. We had fun times and great visits. It was good to have a big Brother who watched over us and supported us throughout the years. I know you will be missed by many because of the person you were. You Always had a smile on your face, a friendly demeanor, a huge heart and a good story to share. I will cherish the memories of the Cowboy you were, how you loved and cared for many good horses. And also your love for powwows, the good singer and drummer you were. I admired your strength and resilience throughout your illness, never a complaint or a fear, you faced it head on; continuing to smile, visit and get through it daily. Although I will miss seeing you when I come home, I am thankful that you are now at rest. Uncle, Auntie and all of our ancestors rejoicing in your homecoming. What a celebration it must be. Doksta ake Icesi. Love you 💙
Kenny Shields says
Rusty, I’m going to miss you cousin. All the fun times we had in school. Growing up riding bikes all over town picking crab apples and riding horses. And when we played in Little League baseball and 6th grade basketball we’re great times. Driving by in that big truck honking the horn like a long hauler and always teasing us and calling me ‘Sacmoosha’ whatever that meant. Dad and Mom always loved you and loved to sing Indian with you. Love and miss you cousin. Little Kenneth
Geoff Hagadone says
Brother please watch over all of us. We will meet again for another b.s. session. Sure gonna miss you cowboy
Enore Marks says
RIP Rusty. It has been our honor to meet you, when you came to South Dakota with my Niece Claudia, for my brother and sister’s passing and funeral. Thank you for bringing her to us during our difficult times as well. You were so respectful and we felt like we had known you for a long time. We are closely related to the Scott family in Ft. Kipp, but we rarely see them because Ft. Kipp, Montana is a 14-15 hour drive from our home in South Dakota. And yet, you made it possible for my Niece, Claudia to be here with us. My grandson is Thomas. I know he loves you very much. Even though we are all miles and miles apart, us South Dakota relatives will be praying for your children and takoja’s for strength and comfort during this difficult time as well. Rest in Heaven Rusty. Our Prayers and Smudge are up.
Marilyn Johnston says
Thoughts and prayers to the family. God bless.
Julie Bemer says
Rest in peace Rusty. Condolences to the family.
Donald Boyd says
R.I.P Uncle Rusty Denny Sr And Sending My Deepest Condolences And Prayers To The Family In The Days Ahead..
Charlie Headdress says
Rusty was one of a kind, a Cowboy an Indian and one of the best storytellers I know. He would give Bobby Atkinson a good go if they had a contest. Just an all around nice guy who would visit anyone he ran into. I don’t think he knew a stranger. When He moved out to Chelsea I was coming back from Wolf Point on the Indian Highway and he was walking on the road. I ask him if he needed a ride and he said he was just walking for excercise. An hour later I finally left after we had a long visit. I know I will miss Rusty but he fought a courageous battle and now he has gone to be with his parents and all who have passed on. He will be missed. To his children I want them to know they have a heck of a Dad and always cherish the memories.