Zintkala Wanap'In Win

The world became a brighter place on March 25, 1959, when Douglas and Jessie (Yellow Bull) Horse welcomed a bouncing baby girl to the world. Born at the Pine Ridge Indian Health Service Hospital, Mary Ann Horse would be the youngest daughter in a family that would grow to eight. Throughout her lifetime, Mary would become a proud mother of three boys, and grandmother fourteen times over. In her own way, Mary was a light for numerous friends along the pow wow trail as an accomplished artisan specializing in the traditional Lakota art form of porcupine quillwork and a dedicated jingle dress dancer.
Mary attended Red Cloud High School as a dormer with fond memories of her years there. She would go on to graduate as a proud Crusader in 1977 before taking classes at Huron College for a couple of semesters. In 1978 Mary gave birth to her first son, John, followed by Avery in 1979, and finally Silas in 1981. "Auntie Mary Ann" and "Grandma Mary" was how she was commonly referred to by her family. Mary had a knack for making friends and many of her friends knew her lovingly as "Mary Šica". She was a true treasurer and fluent speaker of the Lakota language, uttering her first words in Lakota, and being forced to learn English when she began primary school in the early 1960s.
Ever the free spirit, Mary lived many years soaking up the California sun, making her home in Sacramento, CA and Hawthorne, CA. She also made a home in Huron, SD, Albuquerque, NM, Evergreen Housing, SD, Pine Ridge, SD, and Rapid City, SD. Mary very much enjoyed the pow wow trail and was a jingle dress dancer in her younger years. Later in life, she was a prolific and accomplished porcupine quillwork artisan, becoming known for her trademark horseshoe designs in her earrings, bracelets, and more. Notably Mary was a die-hard San Francisco 49ers fan, and loved the Los Angeles Lakers, even watching their NBA Champions parade during her years in southern California.
Mary was known for living life on her terms, with plenty of friends that she welcomed to her home whether they were displaced, unhoused, or otherwise. Hers was a kindred spirit, and Mary was kind to a fault, always one to give away her last dollar to a friend or relative in need. She was known by many who lived life on the streets in Pine Ridge, Rapid City, and the greater Los Angeles area. Her friends would hear her say "it's crack-a-lackin'" and could expect Mary to share peji with them at any time and at anyplace. She was also beloved by the friends she made working the carnival circuit in southern California in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Mary was preceded in death by her grandparents Abraham and Josephine Yellow Bull (Old Shield), Noah and Carrie Horse (Killsaree) parents Douglas and Jessie Horse (Yellow Bull), brothers Hobart Horse Sr., Jerry Horse Sr., Ronnie Horse, Sr., cousins Richard Horse and Robert Young Dog, her nephews Dion Horse, Doug Horse, nieces Sherry Horse and Collette Tracke, grandsons Devron Horse and Andre Dion Red Cloud, and granddaughters Nyvelle Quick Bear and Crystal Tracke. She was particularly fond of her "maske" Bonita Feather Earring, and her adopted granddaughter Whisper Cottier, who also preceded her in death.
She is survived by her sons, John, Avery, and Silas Red Cloud (Pine Ridge, SD), her siblings Wilma Horse (Rapid City, SD) and Larry Horse (Whittier, CA), grandchildren, Cerrai, Jaicen, Jraedin, and J'Cerrie (John's children), Lydiah, Jenessa, Aubree, and Aspen (Avery's children), and Silas Wayne, Antwan, Rayleigh, King, and Wambli Ska (Silas's children), along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren through the extended Lakota tiospaye.
Pallbearers include Jaicen Red Cloud, Jraedin Red Cloud, Antwan Red Cloud, Jerry Horse Jr., Jonathan "Bojo" Horse, Myron Horse, Ableza Horse, and Tatanka Horse.
Honorary pallbearers include all of Jerry Cottier Sr. and Bonita Feather Earring's children: Amber, Feather, Jerry Jr., Harlan, Haylee Jo, and Calista Rae Cottier, as well as Corey Stewart, Stacy Stewart, Susie Brave Heart, CeCe Bad Bear, Kelly Young, and Angel Eagle Hawk.
Wake Services: Two night wake service with the first night starting at 10:00 AM, Saturday, January 3, 2026 at the Wakpamni CAP Office near Pine Ridge, SD and the second night starting at 5:00 PM, Sunday, January 4, 2026 at the Evergreen Community Building near Porcupine, SD with a Native American Church Funeral Service officiated by Darrell Red Cloud.
Funeral Services: 12:00 PM, Monday, January 5, 2026 at the Evergreen Community Building near Porcupine, SD.
Traditional Lakota Services: To Be Announced
Burial Services: Cremation to follow services and the spreading of her ashes will occur at the Native American Church Cemetery near Porcupine, SD at a later date where she will join her dad, mom, brothers, and other relatives in eternal rest.
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD