Della Thomas

Della Mae Long Hair-Thomas age 82 went to be with the Lord on May 24, 2025 at the Billings Clinic. She was a well-loved and beautiful soul who was all about her family and loved her family very much, especially her grandchildren.

Della was born to Johnson Porcupine Quills and Ursula Black Dog-Porcupine Quills on December 6, 1942. As a kid growing up she loved riding her horse Bullet, playing with her brothers and sisters and dance while listening to her brothers sing. She graduated from Brockton School in 1960. She worked different jobs and continued to work when she met and married Lester Youpee Jr. of Brockton. From this union she had a daughter and son, Valerie Youpee and Leslie Long Hair. Della was married to Lester until his passing. Then later, she would reunite and be married to Melchoir Thomas Sr. of Brockton. During this marriage, Della became a stay at home mother and wife who volunteered at numerous events and loved to get involved in the Fort Kipp Catholic church activities as well as the Fort Kipp Powwow Committee. She became a grandmother in 1990, while helping with the Fort Kipp Headstart. Della also loved being and taking part in sports such as softball and volleyball and did so until she got older, but continued to show her love and support long after.

Della is survived by her sisters, Lydia and Cecelia Long Hair of Fort Kipp, son, Leslie Long Hair of Fort Kipp, nieces, Lynette Long Hair, Alice Long Hair, LaDonna Black Dog, LaVonne Black Dog, all of Fort Kipp, Allison (Loren) Bighorn of Lame Deer, Debbie (Myron) Uses Arrow of Little Eagle, SD., nephews, Robert Keeler Jr. of Fort Kipp, Leonard Rattling Thunder Jr. of New Town, ND., Terry (Melissa) Rattling Thunder, Matthew (Jennifer) Rattling Thunder, Harlan Rattling Thunder and Francis Rattling Thunder all of Brockton, William Black Dog of Billings, cousins, Arletta Black Dog and Arnon Black Dog of Brockton, Shannon Loans Arrow of Bismarck, and Duane Green of Sioux Falls, grandchildren, Ashten (Blaine) Youpee, Racquel (DaShanna), Agnes, Rayneese and Brennon Bets His Medicine, all of Fort Kipp, Great Grandson Xavier Rattling Thunder of Fort Kipp and all her grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She is proceeded in death by her father, Johnson Porcupine Quills, mother, Ursula Black Dog-Porcupine Quills, husband Melchoir Thomas Sr., daughter Valerie Youpee, brothers, Nathaniel Long Hair and Robert Black Dog, sisters, Velma Broken Leg, Corrine Turning Heart and Marie Porcupine Quills, grandfather, James Black Dog Sr., grandmother, Bertha Little Head, aunts, Loretta Bearcub and Rozelda Loans Arrow, uncles, James Black Dog Jr., Matthew Black Dog and Vincent Black Dog, nieces, Natalie Long Hair, Darla Broken Leg and Alecia Black Dog, nephews, Wesley Long Hair,  Nathaniel Long Hair Jr., Billy Black Dog, Charlie Black Dog, Duane Black Dog, Isaac Black Dog, Ivan Broken Leg, Myree Broken Leg, Jeffery Stump and Bobby Black Dog, cousins, Lawrence Black Dog, Linda Rattling Thunder, Brian Black Dog, Ida Black Dog Bear and Frank Loans Arrow Jr., granddaughters, Kendra Bets His Medicine and Courtney Black Dog, grandsons, Brandon Long Hair, Adam Black Dog and Christopher Black Dog. Della will surely be missed.