Josephine Whiteman

Josephine was born in Pryor, Montana on April 6, 1917 to Sara High Weasel and Alexander DeCrane. At the age of three years old she was adopted by Sage Woman and Rides a Pretty Horse. Through her adoption she became a member of the Whistling Water Clan and a Child of the Whistling Water Clan. Although her biological parents were present, her adopted parents were all that she knew. She received her education at St. Charles Mission in Pryor, MT.She was a devout member of the Catholic Church and was a strong believer in her traditional Crow way of life as well. She was an active member of the Tobacco Society, the Sweat Lodge, and she supported her family in the Sundance, and the Native American Church.She married Edward Posey Whiteman, Sr., in 1935 at the age of eighteen. The couple made their home in Pryor, MT, and together they had ten children.Josephine along with her husband opened their hearts and home to children who had no place to go and also to children who chose to stay with them as well. Josephine carried on this tradition even after her husbands death. Her home was open to all and she welcomed young people to the family ranch to ride horses and to enjoy a hot meal. The children whom she took into her home and helped raise include: Sylvester “Cardy” Goes Ahead, Calvin “Mickey” Round Face, Harry Whiteman, Jr., Calvin Herrera, Carl Venne Sr., Posey “Iilaape” Whiteman, Dora Hugs, Dewayne Costa, Tommy Boy DeCrane, Connie DeCrane, Victoria Stewart, Eugene Red Star, Olin Red Star, RT Old Crane, Randy Red Star, Tommy Iron Bull, Fred Gone, Toni Blue Shield, Benji Bull Tail, Joseph Bull Tail Sr., Mary Wall, Josephine Wall, Alma Rose Costa, Elias Goes Ahead, Roland Plain Feather, Calvin Brush, Vernon Turns Plenty, Dallas Hugs, and Gordon Plain Bull. She adopted the following: Doug Lynch, Jerry Cate, Father Joachim Strupp, Sister Loretta Sedelmeyer, Bishop Anthony Milone, and Dr. Robert Wilson.As a child she was loved very dearly by her parents and no expense was too great. She acquired rights to participate in many societies. She had the right of principal woman (Woman Chief) in the War Bonnet Society (Daytime Dance), which she passed on to a granddaughter. She was a traditional Crow woman and served as first lady when her husband was elected Crow Tribal Chairman for two terms. She worked briefly for the arts and crafts at St. Charles Mission, under the Forest Horn Tribal Administration, and was also an extra in the movie The Son of the Morning Star. She traveled extensively with her husband while he was chairman for the Apsaalooke Nation and acquired a passion for traveling. An avid traveler, she made an annual pilgrimage to Oklahoma every fall for hand games and afterwards would journey to Juarez, Mexico where she would barter and trade not only there, but in other Indian communities along the way. She traveled with Vision Quest to Sundance ceremonies where she was paid as a lady backup singer. She was often asked to carry water at Sundances as well as Native American Church ceremonies. As a woman of Christian faith, she instilled strong moral values in raising children.Kaale Josephine was an enthusiastic bingo player and attested that bingo was the reason why she aged so well. She participated in hand games, traditional dances, and powwows. She loved to go to the mountains, camp, pick berries, and dig for roots. She was supportive in all her children and grandchildren's activities and endeavors, especially sporting events. She was a maker of traditional attire for her family and once designed the senior hand game outfits for the Pryor District.Josephine passed away on April 20th, 2010 and although our hearts are broken we are very blessed to have had our mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend for as long as we did. We are very sad that she has departed, but we are happy that she has joined her parents, husband, children, and other loved ones at the other side camp.Josephine was preceded in death by her adopted, biological, and Tobacco Society parents Plain Bull and Sits on Top of the House; Caleb and Ella Plain Bull. Her siblings, Mary Dawes, Rose Turns Plenty, Thomas DeCrane, Beulah Stewart, Vincent Goes Ahead Sr., Sylvester “Cardy” Goes Ahead Sr., and Clement Goes Ahead. Her children Shirley, Colin, and Velma. Tobacco Society sister Rosebud Bull Tail, and adopted children Dwayne Costa, Billy Wall, Carl Venne, Sr., Amy Plain Bull, Nathan Whiteman, Sr., R.T. Old Crane, Harry Whiteman, Sr., and Jerry Cate. Her adopted brother and sisters, Simpson Sings Good, Adeline Plain Feather, Ruby Goes Ahead, Gladys DeCrane, Anna-jean Left Hand, Marie Reed, Sara Pretty Paint, Inez Caplette, Desi Old Coyote, Hannah Round Face, Ailene Not Afraid, and Alma Small Bear-Wall.She is survived by her children: Geneva Whiteman, Norman (Angeline) Whiteman, Edward Posey (Carol) Whiteman, Jr., Jolene (Dale) Kills Pretty Enemy, Channis (Norma) Whiteman, Valeen Plain Feather and Carol Good Luck; her siblings: Charles Ellsworth DeCrane, Agnes (Larry) Pretty Weasel, Gloria Cummins, Regina Goes Ahead, and many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and two great-great-grandchildren. Her extended families include the DeCrane, Goes Ahead, Morrison, Hugs, Old Horn, Little Nest, Male Bear, Rock, Faraway, and Plain Feather, Big Hair, and Black Hawk.The family would like to extend a heart felt thank you to the staff at the Billings Clinic Hospital, Dr. Andrew Wolfe, Dr. Robert Wilson, and Crow Care Center staff.Funeral Services will be held on Friday April 23, 2010 at St. Charles Mission at 11:00 AM. Josephine will be laid to rest, next to her husband, at the Little Big Horn Battlefield Cemetery, Crow Agency, MT. Arrangements are in the care of Dahl Funeral Chapel. Memories and condolences may be shared with the family at www.dahlfuneralchapel.com.