Marilyn Kathrine Runs After, 91, of Cherry Creek, made her journey to the spirit world, Saturday, April 4, 2026, at 8:37 a.m., at the Cheyenne River Health Center, Eagle Butte, with her daughter June and grandson Nolan by her side. She opened her eyes and looked at the both of them before she took her last breath.

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. MDT, Saturday, April 18, 2026, at the Blue Gym, Cherry Creek. Burial will follow in the Runs After Family Cemetery, Cherry Creek. Wake services will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, April 17, 2026, at the gym, with a procession from the hill east of Cherry Creek at 4:00 p.m.

Marilyn Kathrine Little Shield was born January 1, 1935, to Phoebe Little Shield and Wilson Cook. At the tender age of 2 years, Marilyn lost her mother Phoebe. Her grandparents, Julia Kane and Edward Little Shield took and raised her as their own child.

Marilyn attended school up until 10^th grade in which she returned home to take care of her grandparents until they both passed. She looked at her grandparents as her mom and dad as she never knew her parents. In her later years, she met her father and got to know him.

In 1958, Marilyn met the love of her life, Levi Lambert Runs After, who swept her off her feet with his handsome looks, his horse and his black hat. They were united in marriage at the UCC Church in Dupree on September 24, 1959. From this union their first child was born, June Joann in 1961 and in 1967 they had their bouncing baby boy Murphy Dean.

In August 1968, Marilyn started working for the Cherry Creek Day School in the cafeteria as a cook alongside her co-worker of many years, Esther Buck Elk Thunder, then she started with Dolly Jo Knife for the latter part of her employment. Marilyn worked for 30 years and retired in 1988 when the school shut its doors.

Marilyn stayed home for a little while, then she applied at the Cherry Creek Headstart program and began working there as their cook. To all the kids there, she was known as “Grandma Cooker”. Marilyn worked for 20+ years at Cherry Creek Headstart until she retired due to health problems.

Marilyn helped everyone, especially her close relatives. She could never say no to anyone, they would ask her to travel to church conferences out of state to New Mexico, Arizona, and Nebraska. Marilyn had a special place in her heart for all her nieces, Inez, Benita, Beverly, Helene, Joy, Cynthia, Veronica, April, Lavay, Rose, Marion, Mabel, and Delores. Marilyn had a heart of gold, full of love for everyone. One of her strongest traits was prayer, she would always tell her children, grandchildren, and relatives to always pray, that’s all we have. She had a strong belief in her culture, her knowledge of her history and the teachings she was taught by her grandparents. There were many Lakota Language Teachers who turned to her, who called her daily about certain phrases, words, or teachings and she shared her knowledge and wisdom with them. She never asked for anything in return or asked to be acknowledged. Her belief was if someone wanted to thank her or acknowledge her, they could do it in their own way. She was a proud woman who valued who she was, always had advice for the young women, how to empower them and how to carry themselves.

Marilyn went to stay at her temporary home, The Medicine Wheel Village, in February 2021. As usual, she put up a big fight at first not to stay there, but deep inside she knew she needed the help of two people, not one anymore. While at Medicine Wheel, Marilyn got very close with many of the CNA’s and nurses. To name a few, Sierra, Renessa, Jarae, Mariah, Nakala, Rebecca, Jimmi, Kayla, Nicole, Kaydence, and Birdie. Many of them called her Unci. It was funny how many of them got nicknames from Marilyn.

Marilyn was a member of the Women’s Auxiliary for 20+ years and the Tashunka Wahkan Agli Riders.

She became a grandmother, a great grandmother and in the last five years, a great-great grandmother. She cherished and loved all of them deeply.

Marilyn is survived by her daughter, June and her family: late daughter Maureen Lee’s children – Nicholas Hollow Horn, Nolan (Carmen) Two Dogs, and Nevyn (Julian) Hubbard, son, Kaleb Earl and his sons: Urias, Waylon and Syrias Hollow Horn, daughter, Maurisa Hope, Aden Hollow Horn, great-great grandchildren, Cassius Cass and Carson Hubbard; Marilyn is survived by her son Murphy (Lynette) and his family: Tiffany and children, Xavier, Daniel and Liam, Rebecca (Trent) and children, Chris, Kaylee, and Bryson, Cherae and children Kasmira, Chloe, and Kayson, Katelyn and Daryl; as well as all of her nieces who had a very special place in her heart. Whenever she asked something of any of them, they helped her. Mom said you all know who you are.

Marilyn will now join all those who left before she made her journey to the star nation: her mother Phoebe; father Wilson; grandparents: Julia Kane and Edward Little Shield; uncles/aunts, Theophile and Myrtle Little Shield, Frank and Edith Waloke; sister/cousins: Clementine Big Eagle, Irene Traversie, Maryann Little Shield, Nora Little Shield, Cecelia Circle Eagle; granddaughter, Maureen Lee Two Dogs; grandson, Jacob Yates Hollow Horn; and great-great granddaughter, Jada Runs After.

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

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