Funeral services for 49-year old Helen Makes Him First are Sunday, Dec 13, 2020 at 10:00 AM at the Francesca Kills Small residence in Oglala, SD, with Sister Barb Bogenschutz officiating and traditional Lakota Services by Mr Richard Broken Nose
Burial services are at Our Lady of the Sioux Catholic Cemetery in Oglala, SD
A one-night wake service starts Sat, Dec 12, 2020 at 2:30, also at the Francesca Kills Small residence in Oglala
Helen Susan Makes Him First was born on December 30, 1970 in Pine Ridge, SD to Norman Crazy Thunder, Sr. and Catherine Dearly. Helen made her journey to the Spirit World on December 4, 2020 at her home in Timber Lake, SD.
Helen went to Loneman School until the 6th grade and then graduated 8th grade at Wolf Creek School. She went to Red Cloud High School until her Junior year and then transferred to Flandreau Indian School where she graduated High School.
Helen attended United Tribes Technical College and graduated with a two year degree in Business. She worked as a teacher at Badlands Headstart and at the Prairie Wind Casino before going to work at the Oglala Sioux Tribal officex in the payroll department.
Helen was a champion traditional dancer and traveled to many pow-wows with her friends and family. She went on to marry and raise a family and passed her love of powwow to her children.
Helen took her children to pow-wows all over the United States and went to many rodeos all over. She was involved in all of her children’s sports and whenever her children went to play, she was there.
Helen was a traveler and loved to bead and make arts and crafts. She loved to laugh and tease, but most of all she loved her family and friends.
Helen is survived by her children, Shannon Hinton of Oglala, SD and Mato Hinton of Pine Ridge, SD; grandson, Tre Jayson Hinton of Pine Ridge, SD; mother, Catherine Looking Elk of Oglala, SD; favorite uncle, Jerry Dearly of St. Paul, MN; brothers, Norman Crazy Thunder, Jr. of Woodruff, WI, Lewis Crazy Thunder of Wounded Knee, SD, Jerome Crazy Thunder of Albuquerque, NM, and Terry Spoonhunter; sisters, Annette Yellow Horse, Cynthia Crazy Thunder, and Heather Looking Elk all of Oglala, SD; hunka sisters, Carla Makes Him First, Dawn Aubid, and Leets Yellow Boy; partner, Waylon Makes Him First; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
Helen was preceded in death by her father, Norman Crazy Thunder, Sr.; step-father, Stanley Looking Elk; aunts, Leona Crazy Thunder-Brown Bull, Darlene Crazy Thunder, and Elizabeth Makes Him First; son, Mac Hinton III; brother, Floyd Crazy Thunder; grandparents, Lewis Crazy Thunder and Sadie Little Warrior, Jimpson Dearly and Lucille Running Hawk; nieces, Vera Rose Kills Small, Jody Evans, and Shaundine Good Bird; grandchild, Carson Ace Lee Good Bird; and sister, Denise Brings Him Back.
Pallbearers will be Lewis Crazy Thunder, Jerome Crazy Thunder, Sr., Jesse Jensen, Phillip Yellow Hawk, Brian Brings Him Back, Wesley Yellow Horse, Jr., Matthew James Evans, and Adriano Brings Him Back.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mona Vocu & Family, Darlene Rosane & Family, Sterline Rooks & Family, Liz Watkins & Family, Austin & Wayne Watkins & Family, Bessie Long Soldier, Tilda Long Soldier, Ella Long Soldier, Lloyd Long Soldier, Jr., Ben Loafer & Family, Wilbur Witt & Family, Joan and Grace Rooks & Family, Dominick Running Hawk & Family, Lyle Jack & Family, Ata Jack & Family, Carol O’Rourke & Family, Roberta Crazy Thunder, Danielle Bagola, Lester Jack, Barbara Swan, Luke & Luther Hinton & Family, Matthew Hinton & Family, Mac & Jessie Hinton & Family, Tristan Yellow Horse, Jimpson Yellow Horse, Bradley Jensen, Colby Hunter, Ryan Yellow Horse, Maria Makes Him First, Ira Makes Him First, William Makes Him First, Sr., Jordan Red Cloud & Family, Carleen Crow, Helen’s Family from Arizona and Timber Lake, SD; All Family & Friends, Grade School Classmates & High School Classmates, Pow-wow Friends, Rodeo Friends, OST Tribal Employees, OST Head Start, Prairie Winds Casino Employees, Fatherhood/Child Care Program Football League, Little Big Horn Riders, Crazy Horse Riders, Wounded Knee Memorial Motorcycle Riders, & 500 Miles Sacred Hoop Runners.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD