Melanie DeCrane Lefthand

Melanie Luann DeCrane Lefthand, 41 of Pryor, went on to make heaven her home on June 23, 2020. Melanie, X'uhkalaxche biia (Ties the Bundle Woman) given to her by her great grandmother Lillian Hogan, was born on June 21, 1979 in Billings, Mt to Reuben and Christine Rides Horse DeCrane. She was a member of the Catholic Church, Big Lodge Clan and child of the Ties the Bundle clan. Melanie received her education at St. Charles, Plenty Coup High School, graduating from Lodge Grass High School in 1997. While in Jr High she participated in Basketball, Cross Country and Cheerleading. Highlight of her Jr high years was making it to an elite cheer camp in Nashville, TN. During her High School years, she continued her cheerleading, but her heart was playing basketball. She was a power forward and was selected as All Conference. She attended Little Big Horn College and later received her Heavy Equipment Certification from Salish Kootnei College. Melanie was a true daddy's girl. As a young girl she was attached to her dad's bootstraps. She always made sure she rode right along with him to many roping's & rodeos. This enabled her to be a true cowgirl where she developed her love for horses. Through the teachings from her dad and his brother's she was a horse woman, taking care of the family horses. In her younger years she participated in Barrel Racing, she had an opportunity meeting her hero “Martha Josey” and taking a picture with her. She was delighted. She always assisted her dad during the Annual Arrow Creek Rodeo. She also competed in the Lady Ultimate Warrior twice. She traveled with Northern Lights, competing in many women's independent basketball tournaments. Melanie was a true sports fan, making sure she was there when her sons or family competed. She was always so proud of them. Melanie loved her family and friends continually checking on their well being and always willing to lend a hand. Her bright smile & loud laughter would brighten the room as soon as she walked in. She also loved to tease her brotherinlaws whenever she came near they were sure to get the shaft. She was so full of love, never afraid to tell you she loved you and gave you a hug or saying ‘hey brother! Give me some rock” extending her fist. Her cultural activities included: the Sundance, Sweat Lodge and Handgames. She was a bread maker, continually called upon to make bread for her family and she also loved to bead, which she learned from her grandma Ada. She loved Crow Fair, making sure that she was there to cook and tend to the camp, a true Crow Woman making a milestone when she made a woman's elktooth dress in 2 days. Melanie married Darryl Lefthand on March 4, 2020 in Billings, MT. Her warm smile, laughter, jokes and love for all who were around her will be truly missed. We can't see her beautiful face to say our final good bye, but we know she's dancing in the sky. Her Husband Darryl, Her Maternal grandparents Charles and Gladys Bird Hat Decrane, Stephen, Dallas, Chester (Ethel), Edward, Irene, Tillie, Nancy and Florence Bird Hat, Andrew (Fern) Little Light Aunts Joyce, Berylene, and Agnetus DeCrane. Nephew Michael DeCrane. Paternal grandparents Henry and Ada Rides Horse, Rapheal, Clara White Hip. Sister Tanisha Rides Horse-Watson preceded Melanie in death. Survivors include her Children, Andre DeCrane, Marty and Henry Driftwood, Darallyn, Darnell, Famous, Trinity, DJ, Left Hand. Godson Liddon DeCrane. Brother Sidney DeCrane. Little brother Zachary Goes Ahead. Sister, Rhonda Rides Horse. Adopted Brothers, Tronnes (Elizabeth) Birdinground, Marlon (Marie) Yarlott. Father-in-law: Eymard(Sara) Left Hand Mother-in-law: Jacquelyn Stewart Uncles: Ellsworth (Polly), Lawrence (Martha) DeCrane, Robert and Lawrence (Jennifer) Flatlip, Henry (Laura), Robert, Harold Rides Horse, Adrian Whiteman, Manuel (Linda), Bernard (Deliah) Covers Up, Robert and Jack Old Horn, Vidal Not Afraid, Stevie, Neil, and Garey White Hip, Henry (Garnett) Bright Wings. Aunts: Mary, Althea, Rachel and Angie DeCrane, Valerie (Cliffton) Falls Down, Blanche (Carl) Goes Ahead, Cammy, Gail, and Mary Bird Hat, Emma Core, Clara Ann Adams, Ursula (Barry) Russell, Luanna (Marvin) Stewart, Regina (Leonard)Bends, Myrna (Fred) Small, Tana Oleyte, Maria (Preston) Onion, Carmen and Mary Agnes White Hip, Georgine Falls Down, Annie (Cyrus) Lieder, Virginette Howe, and Gloria Good Luck. Brothers: Luke, Luke Jr, Courage, Sampson, Chet, Rumeal, Blake, Josh, Ethaniel, Embrey, JD, Dalson, Wayman, Steven, Brendon, Cole, Melvin, Tiger, Thomas, Robin, Stephen White, LJ, Martin, Frank, Harold Jr, Adriano, and Delbert. Sisters: Carla Wilson, Kathy, Jocelyn, Lawern, Jovonne, Kirsten, Darallyn, Heidi, Pamela, Chamique, Jamie, Tina, Lujuanna and Mary Plain Feather, Nina, Stephanie Little Light, Whitney, Shylee, Cadence, Stephanie, Bethany, Selena, Julianna, JanAda Rides Horse, Jennifer, Devonna, and Nicole. Nephews: Dezmond, Raphael, Romello, Curt, Charlie, CJ Rides Horse, and Sid, Jr., Amaziah, Rayvon, Henry, Royalty, Levi. Nieces: Thea, Tia, Jackie, Jada, Saphera, Sierra, Stephanie Watson, Angelita, Kylie, Levi, and Zaylee. Grandchildern: Skylar, Aiyana, and Aizen. Grandparents: Roselee Turns Back, Agnes (Larry) Pretty Weasel, Bernadine (Gordon)Real Bird, Regina Goes Ahead, Jerome (Lois), Vincent White Hip, Robert (Carol) Howe. Adopted Parents: Rhonda (Larry) Hogan, Jerry (Peggy) Spotted Bear, Vernon (Jolene) White Clay. Close Friends: Rose Morrison, Mitzi Horn, Mary Flat Lip, Angie Shining Double, Tracy Small, Christine Haakaus, Destiny White Clay, Nadia Bad Bear. Extended Family: Turns Plenty, Whiteman, Bull Tail, Goes Ahead, Morrison, Bad Bear, Real Bird, Moccasin, Bellrock, Beaumont, Plain Feather, Little Owl, House, Flat Lip, Smells, Spotted Bear, Monroy, Cummins, Well Known, Greybull, Blaine, Horn, Bullshows, Rides Horse, Moutain Pocket- Dust, He Does It, Old Horn, Brown, Crooked Arm.