Funeral services for 57-year old Maria Rena Makes Him First Wed, July 27, 2022 at 10:00 at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD, with Sister Barb Bogenschutz and Ms Joyce Tibbitts officiating and traditional Lakota Services by Mr Mike Little Boy Sr.
Burial is at Our Lady of the Sioux Catholic Cemetery in Oglala, SD
A one-night wake service starts Tuesday, July 26, at 3:30 at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD.
Maria Rena Makes Him First was born on March 4, 1965, in Pine Ridge, SD to Ira Makes Him First Sr and Victoria Elizabeth (Dearly) Makes Him First. Maria made her journey to the Spirit World on July 17, 2022, in Pine Ridge, SD.
Maria, or Marie (as most people called her), was born and raised on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation but was an enrolled member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe from Eagle Butte, SD.
When growing up, she spent her early years playing with her siblings and cousins at nearby “Dearly Bridge,” and it was during this time that her family began hitting the Powwow trail.
Marie was a part of the “Wanbli Sha” Dance Club with Loneman School. She attended the Loneman Day School and graduated in 1979. When Marie attended high school, she went to Red Cloud High School and graduated from Pine Ridge High School in 1983.
Marie then went on to attend the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND where she received her Culinary Arts Degree in May of 1985. She continued to dance girl’s Traditional, play sports, and make many of her life-long friends.
Marie enjoyed going to Bingo and the Casino. She loved the Golden State Warriors, Pittsburgh Steelers, listening to Adele, helping others, and traveling. She will be greatly missed by her family and her friends from “all walks of life.”
Marie is survived by her brothers William Makes Him First Sr, Aaron Makes Him First, and Phillip Yellow Hawk; nieces Valentina Makes Him First, Ashleigh Makes Him First, Celia Makes Him First, Diana & Shania Makes Him First, Bianca Makes Him First-Cook, Whitney Spears, Aleesha Yellow Hawk, and Jasmine Makes Him First; nephews William Makes Him First Jr, Tyler Makes Him First, Cody Makes Him First, Charles Yellow Hawk, Ira Spears, Cyrus Makes Him First, Carlton Veo, Layton Veo, and Olenna Makes Him First; grandchildren Bryan “Baby Bryan” Smith Jr, Dontae Big Crow, Thorin Makes Him First, Jaxson Makes Him First, Lanora Makes Him First, and Josiah Good Plume; aunts Cathy Dearly-Looking Elk, Helmina Makes Him First, Blanche Eagle Pipe, Emma Nolan, and Genevieve Ribitche; uncles Jerry Dearly, Rex Makes Him First, Ben One Feather, and Nason Backs; cousins Ace Waylon Makes Him First, Carla (Makes Him First) Veo, Anthony Dearly, and Vicki Dearly; and fur takojas Max, Cardi B, and Pretty Girl.
Marie was preceded in death by her mother Victoria Elizabeth (Dearly) Makes Him First; father Ira Makes Him First Sr; sister Lucy Makes Him First; brother Ira Makes Him First Jr; cousins Nicole Dearly, Floyd Crazy Thunder, Helen Crazy Thunder, Star Dearly, Jerry Dearly Jr, and Eddy Veo; nieces Vera Rose Kills Small and Judy Evans; nephews Tre Hinton and Corey Not Help Him; and takoja Baylee Makes Him First.
Pallbearers will be Marla Day Boy, Patsy Red Elk, Muffie Mousseaux, Michelle Little, Olivia “Honey Bee” DeSersa, William Clifford Sr, Bryan Smith Jr, Cyrus Makes Him First, Veronica Sitting Bear, and Ira Spears.
Honorary pallbearers will be Felipa DeLeon & family, Jeannette Spoonhunter & family, Chris & Joyce Eagle Hawk & family, Richard Red Elk & family, Howard Little Dog & family, Malcolm Horse & family, Gina Star Comes Out & family, William (Britney) Kills Enemy & family, Jenny Waters & family, Jesse Chase In Sight & family, Frank Star Comes Out & family, Tyler Yellow Boy & family, Del Two Bulls & family, Donna Jumping Eagle & family, Travis Richard & family, Hope Lame & family, Cherilyn Spears & family, Eileen Janis & family, Tiny & Lee DeCory, Chrysan Smallwood & family, Becki & Simone Cedar Face & family, Avis Monroe & family, Tedine Pourier & family, Cathy Afraid of Bear & family, Myreen Iron Cloud & family, Jacinta “Rosie” Lip & family, Destree Titus & family, Kevin Ramos & family, Mase Oldson & family, Ace & AJ No Braid, Hope Center Staff & Friends, All ‘Street Angels” & “Street Warriors”, Medicine Wheel Riders, Rockyford School Staff, Babette Thin Elk & family, Garvene Good Plume & family, Mac Hinton & family, Salina Steele, Cissy Eagle Pipe, Chuck Eagle Pipe, Carlton Veo & family, All MMIW organizations & groups, Vikki & Tony Dearly, Bob Steele, and Pauly Steele, and All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD