Marlena "Sunshine" Big Day
November 21, 1973 - April 07, 2026
Obituary
Marlena “Sunshine” Big Day (Indian Name Bead That Shines), passed away on April 7, 2026, at the age of 53 in Billings, Montana. She belonged to the Crow Nation, Apsáalooke, and was a part of the Piegan clan, child of Greasy Mouth.
Sunshine was born on November 21, 1973, in Crow Agency, Montana to parents Marlin Vincent Big Day and Elda Mavis Stewart. Sunshine grew up in Saint Xavier and Hardin. She attended high school in Hardin, she was an excellent athlete in basketball and track, and she was also a cheerleader for the Hardin Bulldogs. Following high school she completed two years of college. In life, Sunshine had many jobs, she worked at a telemarketing office, the sugar beet factory, and as a tribal forest fire fighter. She met and married Angel Tena and they were married until her passing.
Sunshine’s hobbies were horseback riding on her favorite horse Sunshine Shadow. She loved going to the movies, going on walks, and road trips with her family. She had many friends throughout her life. Her favorite thing to do was cruise and listen to music, such as her favorite artist Bob Marley.
Sunshine was strong-willed and a fighter, who survived 18 years of dialysis and had a child while on dialysis.
She loved her family and her children, but her grandchildren were her world. She wanted her family together always.
She is preceded in death by her son Marlee Tena, Parents Marlin and Elda. Siblings Marlinee, Cindy, Mariam, Elsie, Junior, Collins, Lonnie, JoJo, Lowie, and Musket. Niece and Nephews: Ester, DJ, and Jeff. Aunts and Uncles: Roberta, Maudine, Erma, Kathy, Willie, Iron Joe, Woodrow, Arron, and Dummo. Grandparents Daisy and Ine Leider, Henry Big Day and Lincoln Stewart.
Sunshine is survived by her husband Angel Tena. Her children Ailene (Tony), Jasa, Reida (Joey), Marlin (Tanzana), Angel, Angelo, Sequiah, Neveah, and Mariam (Sunshine’s miracle baby). Her grandchildren Antonio, Estella, Sunshine, Paige, Marlee, Daja, Olivia, Mia, Amelia, Makaya, Chance, Winston, Zaina, Marlin Jr, Milo, Major, Matteo, and Parker. Great Grandchildren Jaycob and EmoryLynn. Siblings Melanie, Rochelle, Percelia, Angie, Polly, Millie, Cece, Annie, Luanne, Emeri, Amanda, Miranda, Bernice, Rosemary, Abby, Rowland, Joseph, Ralph, Lance, Clarent, Marlin, Lenny, JonJon, and Gavin. Aunts and Uncles Carmela, Donna, Geraldine, Alee, Betty Jo, Martha, Della, Violet, Wilma, Orrin, Ralph Jr, Joe, Dennis, William, and JR Dust. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews, as well as extended families Anderson, Stewart, Takes Horse, Real Bird, Moccasin, Tobacco, White Fox, White Clay, Yellow Tail, Bends, Whiteman, Left Hand (Canada), and Leider.
