Connie Bear Stops, 66, of Red Scaffold, passed away Wednesday, August 21, 2024, at Cheyenne River Health Center, Eagle Butte.

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. MDT, Thursday, September 5, 2024, at the Red Scaffold Gym, Red Scaffold. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Catholic Cemetery, Red Scaffold. A wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 4, 2024, at the gym, with a procession from the hill west of town at 4:00 p.m.

Connie June (Hale) Bear Stops was born on September 19,1957 to Robert and Elizabeth (Ward) Hale in Cherry Creek, SD. During her early elementary years Connie went to school at Chamberlain and then she attended school in Cherry Creek. Connie got her GED and took college classes for early childhood education and from there she became a teacher’s aide at Head Start and worked at the daycare after that. She always loved working with kids and being a helping hand. Connie also loved to cook so she worked as a long time cook for both the elderly nutrition program and Takini School. 

Connie met her lifelong partner, James Bear Stops, at the rodeo grounds in Cherry Creek, SD. They both would play and attend softball and basketball tournaments, go to every dance, travel, take long drives and make memories together. To this celebration two boys and two girls were born: Teno Bear Stops, Falon Bear Stops, Taun Bear Stops, Krista Bear Stops. 

Connie loved her family with her whole heart, she always went above and beyond for them. She even took the responsibility of taking care of her grandkids and she did her best and never gave up or complained. Connie always went to her kids/grandkids basketball and volleyball games. She would cheer loudly and proudly for her family. She never missed one game. 

Connie loved to play bingo and scratch off lottery tickets, she would always go where there was bingo and would buy $20-30 worth of tickets at the gas station. Connie loved to visit, whether it would be in person or over the phone, she would keep a conversation going and would joke around to make you laugh. Connie was a very kind, caring, and loving person, she was always there for everyone and there to help anyone in need. 

Connie beat cancer in 2015/2016 and would continue to watch her health over the years. Although she couldn’t see too well or get around as she used to, that never stopped her from doing what she wanted or going where she wanted. Connie was a strong woman for all that she went through, she never gave up and believed in prayer. 

Connie is survived by her husband: James Bear Stops; kids: Teno Bear Stops, Taun (Dayne) Bear Stops, Krista Bear Stops; grandkids: LaTia (Alijah) Zephier, Lashae Rondeaux, Tyree, Tylor and Kadyn Bear Stops, Xavier, Willow, and Emerly Bear Stops, Roshon Bear Stops, Eduardo Flores-Pedroza Jr., Malaya, Karl Jr., and Jayden Renault, Aria June Bear Stops, Isabella Bear Stops; great grandkids: Quias and Quinnlee Bear Stops, Iyohi k’te and Aliyana Zephier; and many nieces, nephews, cousins, grandkids, relatives, and friends. 

Greeting her in the spirit world are her parents; grandparents; grandchild; daughter Falon; brothers: Larry Hale, Richard Hale Sr., Herbert Hale; sisters: Charmaine Harrison, Teresa Kills Crow, and Gloria Sitting Crow. 

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Connie’s arrangements.

1. Add to favourites
2. Report abuse