Mass of Christian Burial for Marie Brave Crow, age 85, of McLaughlin and formerly of Bullhead will be at 11 AM CT, Monday, July 11, 2011 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Bullhead. Burial will be in the church cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. A wake will be from 4-10 PM Sunday at the McLaughlin Blue Gym with services at 7PM. A procession will leave the funeral home at 3 PM Sunday. Marie passed away Monday, July 4, 2011 at Med Center One in Bismarck.

Marie Magdaline (Takes The Hat) Brave Crow was born May 17, 1926 to James and Annie (Catch The Bear) Takes The Hat, near the Sacred Heart Catholic Church, south west of Wakpala, SD. Marie was taught and raised the traditional Lakota way of life. At a very early age, Marie was given two Indian names. "Winyan Luta" was given to her by her Grandmother, Catherine Takes The Hat, and "Etan Chan Kte Win" which was given to her by her Grandfather, Benedict Catch The Bear.

Marie received her education from the BIA Boarding School in Fort Yates, ND as well as the Catholic Mission Schools in Chamberlain and Marty, SD. At 17 years of age she went to enlist in the U.S. Army but she was to young to enlist and her parents refused to sign for her, so she came home. She then went to work in Hastings, NE making shells and ammunition for the military during WWII. In 1960, she married Steven Brave Crow a WWI veteran and they made their home in Bullhead, SD.

She devoted a great portion of her life to Veterans, Community Organizations, Spiritual Walks, Memorial Rides, and Annual Pow Wows. Since 1960, Marie became a member of the Barney Brought American Legion Auxiliary Unit #82 and held several offices. The American Legiona dn Auxiliary organization meant a lot to Marie so she worked hard to keep both the Legion and Auxiliary Charters going. She went around collecting dues from the Legion and Auxiliary members to meet their membership Quota and if the members didn't have money for their dues, she would pay their dues out of her own pocket.

In 1963, she helped organize the American Legion Junior Auxiliary Post for daughters and granddaughters of the Legion and Auxiliary members. Marie was part of organizing a Junior Auxiliary Drill Team that traveled to surrounding towns and reservations to participate in patriotic events, funerals, memorials, veteran honorings, pow wows, and parades. In 1965, she helped organize the Sons of the American Legion Post #82 for sons and grandsons of the Legion and Auxiliary members. This group of boys did the re-enactment of Iwo Jima in parades and in Bullhead at their annual V.J. Day Pow Wow in August.

In 1991, Marie received a National Award from the National American Legion Auxiliary President. This award signifies, "The Years of Service and Dedication to the American Legion and Auxiliary." Her reason for involvement was to donate her time and support on behalf of her children and grandchildren who were selected as officers to the pow wow committees.

Marie served on the Standing Rock Elderly Protection Team for several years and was active with the Bullhead Nutrition for the Elderly Committee. She committed herself to those committees to help make a better future for the Elderly here on Standing Rock.

Since 1990, Marie was a big supporter of the Annual Spiritual Walk to Harney Peak in Custer State Park, the Big Foot Memorial Rides to Wounded Knee, and the Unity Ride to Birds Tail Reserve in Canada. At times Marie was the only Elderly present so she was always asked to give a prayer at these events. She made sure she was there to support her children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews who took part in these events. In 2005, Marie received a 2 year Honorary Degree from Sitting Bull College.

Marie will be greatly missed by her daughters, Etta and Gale Brave Crow, Geraldine Agard, Mabel Medicine Crow, Kathy Antelope, Kathy Kuzior, Lucia Hairy Chin all of McLaughlin, SD; sons, Dale Brave Crow, Joe Agard, James Parisian and Sasa Nickolic of McLaughlin, SD; Richard (Cynthia) Fiddler of Fort Yates, ND, and one brother, Martin Mayo Hat of San Mateo, CA, 20 Grandchildren, 46 Great Grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband Steven Brave Crow, mother Annie (Catch The Bear) Takes The Hat, father James Takes The Hat, Sons James and Gerald "Soup" Agard, daughters Margie and Pauline Brave Crow, granddaughter Lesley Ruth Medicine Crow, grandson John Corey Jack Taken Alive, great grandson Zolan Gates, great granddaughter Sarah Noisy Hawk, brothers Mike Cross Bear, Morris and Dennis Takes The Hat, and sisters Mabel, Mammie, Margie, Melda Takes The Hat, and Martha Dobler.

Casketbearers will be Dave Molash, Charles W. Murphy, Luke Lopez, Greg Sherwood, Thomas Ridley, Sr., Meredith Haugen, Andrew Peterson, Paul Archambault

Special Grand Daughters (who helped take care of O G) Missy Ridley, Toni Eagleshield, Crystal Weasel, Mical Brave Crow, LeAnn Ridley, Lona Medicine Crow

Honorary bearers are Diane Gates, Mazie Shelton, Rita Iron Cloud, Donna Red Legs, Germaine Eagle, Iyonne Bear Ribs, Cecelia Brownotter, Angeline Fast Horse, Ruby Cadotte, Lavina Three Legs, Arlene Hodgkiss, Connie Fischer, Mary Ann Krauser, Mary Goodeagle, Anna Mae Steele, Francine Lawrence, Lynus Grey Eagle, Tammy Big Eagle, Annie Vermillion, Julianne End of Horn, Vern & Theo Iron Cloud, Ed & Emmaline Moran, Fritz & Patti Eagleshield, Evelyn Agard Family, John Eagleshield, Dr. Michael LeBeau, S.R. Ambulance, Pearl Three Legs, Dean Bear Ribs, Mike Faith, Beatrice Skinner, James Porras, Shirley White Buffalo, Fern Lutz, Leroy Laundreau, Melda Crow Feather, Isabelle Crow Feather, Ben & Louella Harrison, Lowelle Little Eagle, Ruby & Tony Shoestring, Alvina Long Chase, Darlene Chasing Hawk, Aaron Shoots Enemy, Elaine St. John, Arlene Benson, Velma Little Eagle, Birdie Iron Eyes, Rhea Archambault, Tracey Vermillion, Anna Jo Cotanny, Paula Penor, Sidney Eagleshield Sr., Lynette Uses Arrow, Howard Eagleshield, Winona Eagleshield, Dr. Franciso Tello, Mobridge Ambulance, Donna Fire Cloud, Maurice Agard Jr., Winona Flying Earth, Shirley Dillman, Tony Johns, John Red Bear, Theresa Williams, Gene Goetz, Doug Crow Ghost, Fern Has Horns, Margaret Hosie, Delphine Elk, Bill Kuntz, Matt Harrison, Germaine Demery, Marvin Bertsch, Theresa Shoots Enemy, Adrian Martinez, Everett Iron Eyes Sr., Arnie Schotts, Mary Jane Whitebull, Bernice Sitting Dog, Clarice Miner, Emily & RJ Lawrence, Sidney Eagleshield Jr., Verlinda Iron Cloud, Betty Zephier, Dr. Abel Tello, Leon Smith, Pete Flying Horse, Theresa Whitebull, Beverly Eagleshield.

Ushers will be Mical Brave Crow ~ Mercedes Ridley ~ Zack Ridley ~ Thomas Ridley, Jr.

Readers will be Terry Medicine Crow ~ Crystal Weasel

Music by Trinity

Drum Group will be Lakeside Singers