Mass of Christian Burial for Leona M. Claymore, age 91, of Kenel will be 11:00 AM, CT, Monday, April 30, 2012 at the Catholic Church of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kenel, South Dakota. There will be a Rosary service on Sunday starting at 7:00 pm at the church. Burial at the Assumption Catholic Cemetery under the direction on Kesling Funeral Home. Leona passed away Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Leona was born June 23, 1920 in Fort Yates to Mary Halsey Many Wounds. She grew up near Little Eagle, SD, and attended boarding school in Fort Yates. In 1937 she married Sam Claymore. They made their living ranching with their six children near Kenel SD. Leona spent most of her years raising children, teaching the traditions and the values, cooking, cleaning, and all the work that goes with being a rancher's wife, a grandma, a mom, an aunty, and a cowgirl.

Leona had a love for her culture and spoke the Lakota language fluently. She enjoyed attending Pow-Wows and visiting with all her friends and relatives.

Momma was a devoted Catholic and a strong believer in her faith.
always shared and believed that "Prayer is Powerful
raised her family with great values, in sharing and caring,
especially with others who were less fortunate.

Momma's strength came from God through many tough times in her life.
was there for everyone through good and bad times.
She always had words of encouragement for everyone.

Momma's kindness touched many people in her lifetime and will be
greatly missed by her family and friends.

She worked for Standing Rock Sioux Tribe in various positions. She also managed the "Snack Bar" at the old Standing Rock Community College. She served on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council as the Kenel District Representative.

In 2003 she moved from Mobridge to Kenel and lived with her daughter Dolly. In 2007 she moved to the Golden Living Center in Mobridge.

Leona is survived by her sons, Duane (Sissy) of Kenel, Sam "Chuck" (Kim) of Kenel, and her daughters, Shirley Billingsley of Madras, OR, Maxine "Sis" (Duane) Phillips of Fort Yates, Marie (Fred) Baker of Bismarck, ND and Sydney "Dolly" Claymore of Kenel and her adopted son Lloyd (Caroline) Thompson of Bullhead, 29 Grand children, 48 Great Grandchildren, and 25 Great Great Grandchildren and her sister-in-law Evelyn (Jim) Brown.

Leona was preceded in death by her husband Sam, her great granddaughter Rachael Rae Claymore and her grandsons Rodney "Noky" Dunn and Clay Claymore.