Funeral services for Delores P. Lester, 80, of Cannonball, will be at 11:00 am, Tuesday, August 4, 2026, at the Cannonball Red Gym. Burial will follow at the St. Elizabeth's Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home. A procession will leave Kesling Funeral Home at 4:00 pm, Monday, August 3, 2026, to meet at the Kenel Junction before Ft. Yates and go to the Cannonball Red Gym. A prayer service will begin at 7:00 p.m., with an all-night wake to follow on Monday, August 3, 2026, at the Gym. Delores passed away on Sunday, July 26, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck.

Delores Patricia Lester was born on July 25th, 1946, in Fort Yates, ND to Melvin Redstone and Christine Cottonwood. She was the firstborn in a blended family of seven children. She grew up in Shields, ND, attending Becker day school before continuing her education in Fort Yates. She lived a full and meaningful life, passing away peacefully just one day after her 80th birthday.

On September 15, 1969, she married the love of her life, Charles Lester, who had just returned from Vietnam. Early in their marriage, they participated in the Indian Relocation program which landed them in the middle of Oakland, California. However, they didn’t stay long before returning to the land they loved and the people they cherished. They made their first home in north Cannonball where they began raising their children, and as the family grew, they eventually made their permanent home in the Cannonball community. In 2007, her husband Charles passed away, and she became the steady heart of the family, guiding them through the years that followed. Tragically this was not her only heavy loss. Years earlier she had to endure the heartbreak of losing her teenage twin son, Burton; and just a few months ago she suffered the devastating loss of her son, Jerome.

Her life was always defined first and foremost by a fierce devotion to her family, she raised her nine children and many grandchildren with all her heart. She poured her strengths, resilience, and love into each child: daughters Carletta and Patricia, and sons Jerome, Charles Jr., Dustin, Robert, Jeremy, Burton and Burdon. Oh, but she did not stop there she raised her grandchildren Caitlynn, Kiarra, and Caleb. I don't think anyone could ever fully account for all the other children that passed through their lives who they helped raise and care for. She very lovingly earned the name “Mawa” which is what everyone called her.

Delores also took care of her grandparents Asa and Gertrude Cottonwood. Sadly, over the years all the elders in the family passed away until she was left to be the family matriarch. Being the eldest of her six siblings, she quickly earned the nickname the “Big Boss”. She was highly respected and deeply loved by her brothers Dale, Emerson and Joseph, and her sisters Darlene, Greta, and Johnelle. From this bunch came many beloved nieces and nephews whom she also cherished.

Delores and Charles were very connected to their culture and heritage, and they raised all their children and grandchildren in the powwow circle. She took immense pride in her family's artistic and cultural gifts; many of her children and grandchildren, as well as her late husband Charles, were champion dancers. Being the mom and grandma to a powwow family, Delores never let her debilitating arthritis keep her from beading and sewing countless sets of regalia over the years. As a family, they traveled to many pow wows in many states and Canada, becoming very well-known and respected within the circle.

Delores and Charles were avid Solen Sioux fans, and they rarely missed a game, a track meet, or any event that involved their children. Even after Charles passed away, she continued to attend all their games and school events, proudly watching every child, grandchild and great grandchild who participated. She held a deep, unwavering love for every one of them, keeping all their ribbons, awards, pictures, birthday cards, mementos, and all things connected to those that she loved so much.

Delores was a reserved and humble person; she preferred to stay quietly in the background. Her legacy will live on through the family she raised, the tradition she honored, and the vast family tree that grew from her love. Her children blessed her with 30 grandchildren starting with Carletta (Ernie) Mutchler and their children: Chesare, Christian (Lacy), Cheyenne, Cheylynn (Vine) and Cheydene (Chekota). The children of Jerome: Ryan, Kendall, Janden, Jayanna, Jansen, and Janaya. The children of Charles, Jr. (Billie): Chanelle and Bailey. Dustin (Helen) and his children Kelly and Kasen. Patricia’s children: Damon, Paige, Caitlynn, Kiarra, and Caleb. The children of Jeremy (Jessie): Felix, Delaney, Jeremy, Jr. and Emma. Burdon’s children: Burdon Jr., Brandyce, and Braison. Robert’s children: Raissa, Rias, and August.

From her 30 grandchildren came 43 Great grandchildren: Liviya, Faith, Kylie, Ayra, Ivy, Paisley, Caylynn, Caylee, Mathias, Akias, Kenya, Kamirrah, Kendalynn, Kamily, Kendall, Kendria, Abzanna, Jayleen, Jreau, Ameliya, Elika, Liam, Peyton, Collins, Ariell, Cataleya, Julianna, Kaysen, Carter, Kamiyah, Cayden, Aurora, Arabella, Mirabelle, Kovaughn, Laiya, Symbria, Soleia, Oakley, Bellamy, Thomas, William, and Presley and 1 Great-Great Granddaughter Adeline.

Pallbearers:

Damon Lester, Caleb Lester, Felix Lester, Delaney Lester, Jeremy Lester, Jr., Christian Mutchler and Ryan Thunderhawk

Honorary Pallbearers:

Diane & Herman Mongram, Antoinette Plante, Charles & Ernesdean Murphy, Joyce Johnson-Lester, Corlene Bird, Marcella & Talbert Cutt, and Helen Roubideaux. Because she was so deeply loved by so many, it is impossible to name everyone, so we honor all her cherished extended family, her pow wow family, the lifelong community of Cannonball, the dedicated hospitals of Sanford and Mobridge, and the Standing Rock EMS. Special gratitude is extended to those who lovingly cared for her before the ambulance arrived, granting us one more precious day together.