Iyonne Bear Ribs, 1934-2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jan 8, 2021 | 9:45 AM / 722 views
Funeral services for Iyonne Bear Ribs age 86, of Bullhead will be at 1:00 PM, Monday, January 18, 2021, at Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge. Viewing will be from 12:30 PM – 1:30 PM, prior to processing to the cemetery from the funeral home. Graveside services will be at 2:30 PM, Monday at St. John’s Episcopal Cemetery in Bullhead. Visitation will be Sunday from 4-8 PM, at Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge with services at 7 PM. Iyonne passed away Tuesday, January 5, 2021 at Sanford Medical Hospital, in Bismarck, ND. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.
Iyonne (Crow Ghost) Bear Ribs
Great Granddaughter of Chief Rain In His Face
April 4, 1934-January 5, 2021
Bullhead, South Dakota
(Rock Creek District Of Standing Rock)
Iyonne Grace Bear Ribs was born on April 4, 1934 to James Crow Ghost and Adelia (White Bear Claws) Crow Ghost. James Crow Ghost is a descendant of Chief Rain In The Face and a war veteran. Iyonne was the eldest of her 5 sisters, Francine, Kelly, Jerrilyn, Rosemary, Renee and her brother Errol Crow Ghost, a Vietnam Combat Veteran.
She was raised by her Grandparents, Francis White Paw and Jane White Paw and Louis White Paw, west of Bullhead, South Dakota on their land and home with horses and cattle. They worked hard and learned how to be responsible at a young age growing up with her grandparents.
Iyonne graduated from Wakpala Public School in 1952 was then awarded an academic scholarship to Dartmouth University in New Hampshire, Iyonne was an advocate for education she ensured her children were educated she was a very proud mother when she attended her children’s high school graduations and college commencements in turn her children were very proud to have their mother be in attendance when they received their educational degrees.
In 1958, she married Andrew A. Bear Ribs Jr. in Bison, South Dakota and lived in Lemmon, South Dakota for several years while Andrew Jr. worked for Penfield Sale Barn of Lemmon. She was a stay at home mom while he worked. From this union they had 9 children. Five sons, Joseph “Rusty” Crow Ghost Sr., Richard Bear Ribs of Bullhead, Randy Bear Ribs of Bismarck, Andrew Bear Ribs III of Bismarck, and Wendell (Linda) Bear Ribs Sr. of Rapid City, four daughters Andrea “Sweetie” (Sonny) Brown, Leah (Darwin) Vandermeulen of McLaughlin, Carmelita Bear Ribs of Ft. Yates, and Althea (Jim) Olson of Rapid City. She also raised Dallas Crow Ghost Sr., Galen Crow Ghost, and Riley Crow Ghost.
She worked in many capacities in her lifetime besides being a mother, grandmother and rancher 5 miles west of Bullhead. She worked as a Community Coordinator for the Rock Creek District for many years, as a cook for the Rock Creek Nutrition Program, Counselor at Chief Gall Inn for Young Adults Conservation Corps, a District Secretary/Treasurer for many years. When she retired from working, she was involved with the Elderly Nutrition Program as an Officer and Secretary/Treasurer, she was involved with the Elderly Advisory Committee and advocated for the people of Standing Rock, on the Head Start Policy Council, Member of the Election Board and was a lifelong member of St. John’s Episcopal Church.
She had 22 Grandchildren, Nevada Bear Ribs White Paw, Darwin Hunter Jr, Nashawna and Wyatt Vandermeulen, Tasha and Tori Olson, Trent, Wendell Jr, Cole, Canon Bear Ribs, Sunshine, Sylvan III, Nehemiah and Cheyenne Brown, Lyle, Joseph Jr, Jenny and Galen Crow Ghost, Kya, Dallas Jr, Chania and Jaden Crow Ghost. Her great grandchildren are Riley, Elizabeth, Cassidy, Ryan, Kayleigh, Carmine, Keon and Sage Crow Ghost and many other grand children and great grandchildren. Iyonne and her husband Andrew were advocates of education and sports. They loved going to their children’s sporting events and summer sporting events around Indian country. They also enjoyed Pow Wows and Rodeos. They loved to watch their children dance at the Pow Wows. They enjoyed their horses, cattle and the ranch as well.
She will be dearly missed by all her family and friends. Iyonne is preceded in death by her husband, Andrew Jr., great grandparents, her parents, son, Joseph James Crow Ghost, daughter, Andrea Brown, and granddaughter, Nevada Bear Ribs White Paw, Nashawna and Wyatt Vandermeulen and all her cousins and relatives who passed before her. They will all be waiting to greet her. We love you with all our hearts. We will miss you. We are comforted knowing that you are at peace with all your loved ones.