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Lloydelle Big Crow Obituary
She was born in Porcupine to Lloyd and Nancy (Holy Elk) Big Crow on Nov. 1, 1955. She was the maternal granddaughter of Julia Crazy Horse White, who was the daughter of Albert Crazy Horse and Helen Larvie, widow of the great Oglala warrior Crazy Horse.
She attended school in Pine Ridge and was always proud that she graduated with a G.E.D. and went on to obtain her B.S. degree in elementary education from the University of South Dakota. She worked in the financial aid department at USD for a number of years, and later was the financial aid director for Oglala Lakota College. She taught elementary school during the remainder of her professional career for Shannon County Schools and then for Pine Ridge Elementary School.
She married Byron DeSersa Sr. and together they had two children, Darcie (Dale) and Denise (Troy). She was widowed at the young age of 21 when Byron was killed in the civil unrest of the 1970s on the reservation. She later met Charlie Abourezk and they fell in love at a party with Jerry Jeff Walker and the Lost Gonzo Band. They were married for 25 wonderful years. Charlie raised Darcie and Denise and they had three more children together, Richard (Tasha), Ilyani "Lena" and Jamil.
She is survived by her five children; stepchildren, Byron DeSersa Jr., Corrine Abourezk and Chris Fogg; and her grandchildren, Alexandra, Kerri, Caitlin, Makayla, Mato Nanji, Travis, Flower, Sophia, Misun, Izabel. She is also survived by her brothers, Ted Big Crow and Herb Big Crow, Pine Ridge; and her sisters, Sharon Big Crow, Oelrichs, Ivalee Big Crow, Marless Big Crow, Noella Big Crow-Morrison and Ramona Big Crow, all of Pine Ridge; and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren all of whom she loved.
She is also survived by her recent companion, Virgil "Jim" Charge On Him; her cousin and best friend, Joy Brewer; and her dog, Zara.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Nancy and Lloyd; her brothers, Wallace Joe Big Crow and David Big Crow; beloved nephew, Richard Lee Big Crow; and niece, Tina Two Two.
Wake services began Sunday afternoon at the old Pine Ridge High School gym.
Services will be at 10 a.m. today at the gym followed by burial at the St. Anne's Cemetery in Wolf Creek.
Arrangements are with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for Lloydelle Big Crow
Darcie DeSersa
September 23, 2011
Thank you to everyone for your support and prayers. It is greatly appreciated by my brothers, sisters and our children. She is so missed and loved by many. My mother was a wonderful woman. If I could become half the woman she was I would consider myself fortunate. Again thank you everyone.
Dennis & Diane Painte
September 19, 2011
you are missed by alot of family relatives and friends. We love you Dell and sorry i didn't get to see you or make it down there. You had impact in all that you did for anyone. Tell our son Lee that we miss and love him very much and Hi from all of us, and remind him that your the one that took the pictures of him and us when he was in the hospital.
jody LeCompte-Garrison
September 15, 2011
Our sympathy and condolences to Dell's family, Charlie, Lena, Richard, Jamil, Denise and Darcie. She was a wonderful woman, strong, wise beyond her age and one of the greatest softball players I ever met. We will pray for all of you and forever remember you mother and grandmother. Gary and Jody Garrison and family
Linda
September 13, 2011
My sincere condolences to the children of Dell, Charlie and her large extended Big Crow family.
I will always remember her when I go to start making a pair of beaded mocassins; she showed me how to cut them out and start beading them several years ago. She will always hold a place in my memory and heart.
It was an honor to have know her. My love and prayers to the family.
Sunday Mullins McGilbray
September 13, 2011
My condolences to Dell's family and friends. It has been many years since we were students together at USD. I will always remember you.
Beth Simmons
September 13, 2011
My heart goes out to the family. Dell was the friend I met at the Student Union every day for lunch, whose daughter was in my wedding, and who has left us too young. I wish we had kept more in touch.
Lakota Harden
September 13, 2011
I haven't seen Dell in quite a while, and was more in touch when we were younger, and our children were small. My prayers & condolences are with the family. She will be missed by all who knew her. SHe earned her place with Wakan Tanka now. . although we will grieve with the feeling she is gone too soon. . With Love to all the family, Koty
Ed & Cheryl Bettelyoun
September 12, 2011
My brother Byron loved dell and so did the rest of our family, we will miss her and her laugh. love and prayers, uncle ed and aunt cheryl bettelyoun. cabrini, brian, darin, gina, patches
James Mesteth
September 12, 2011
Dell was a good person and a good teacher. She will be missed by her students and former students. to the family my prayers are with you.
September 12, 2011
To My Family,
We send our heartfelt love to you today,
and want to be there with you.
We share the love of Dell, I can hear her laugher, her laugher was contagious
we all laughed with her. Hug each other
today, hug for us.
We love you.
Please stay in touch. Carol, Mom, Ronnie, Greg, Gina, Vic, and Beaver
God's Grace and Mercy
Amy Dolezal
September 12, 2011
I only knew Dell for the past few years, but I fell in love with her humorous nature. We worked together at Pine Ridge School. Dell cared so much for every student she had, and even those who were not her own students. She gave up a lot of her personal time to spend long hours here at the school and the kids. Her legacy that she leaves here at the school has encouraged us all to put our hearts into everyday we have with these wonderful students. You will be greatly missed, Dell!!! --Amy Dolezal
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