Majel Bowker Bird Necklace, 82, of Eagle Butte passed away Friday, January 10, 2025, at Monument Health in Rapid City.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the CRST Bingo Hall in Eagle Butte. Burial followed in the Congregational Cemetery at LaPlant.
Majel Ruby Bowker Bird Necklace was born April 9, 1942, at Old Cheyenne Agency to Melda Ruby Bowker Bird Necklace. As a young child she spent much of her time with her grandmother, Nancy “Kunsi” and Lala Edward Bird Necklace. She would take the train once a month with Kunsi into town to buy groceries and looked forward to buying candy and getting a new comic. Majel was always a reader and enjoyed her sweets. Her uncle/cousin Dennis gave her the nickname, Snooki and Baby Snooks.
Majel lost her mother at a young age. After her mother’s passing, she was cared for by her “Daddy” Jonas Bowker Sr. Majel attended boarding school in Pierre for several years eventually returning to LaPlant. She finished high school at Cheyenne Agency. After high school she met and soon married Carlin Clown Sr. They had five children: Gino Allan, Clinton, Colton, Darrell, and Darshane.
Some years later Majel moved to Burbank, CA where she attended business college and worked at Marcy Gym Company. While there she met Alphonso Salvator Del Rio and they were married. From this marriage she gave birth to one daughter, Mia.
Majel later returned to Eagle Butte where she started her career with the CRST Law Enforcement. Majel attended police academy in New Mexico and became a certified dispatcher. She worked 30 plus years for law enforcement working her way up to supervisor. After her retirement she went on to work for CRST Housing Authority and was also an EMT for several years.
Majel was an advocate for justice. She was a strong, brave, caring woman who was passionate for her Lakota people. Majel was proud of her culture. She attended Sun Dances her entire life and was very traditional. Majel was a buffalo protector and protester for NO DAPL in her elder years even making the journey to Washington, DC to stand with her people in protest. She had a soft, forgiving, kindhearted side that everyone loved. She had an amazing sense of humor and made all those April 9, 1942 – January 10, 2025
around her laugh. In her later years, Majel lived a quiet life. She enjoyed watching movies and her TV shows, MASH and Andy Griffith. She also enjoyed looking through her photo albums and telling stories. She was very knowledgeable about everyone’s family history and could trace their family tree far back.
Majel is survived by her sons, Colton (Kim) Clown and Darrell Clown; hunka son, Joe Brings Plenty; daughters Darshane (Jaydee) Bear Stops and Mia LeBeau; grandchildren: Jessa, Jaysen, Kristan, Forrest, Taylor, Colton Jr., Kay-Lynn, Tomas, Michelle, Benny, Karsten, Coren, Kaddie, Kacie, Noah, Daytona “Baby Girl,” Corbin III “Yamni,” Mele, Madison, and Carter; and brothers Mike Bowker and Lionel Iron Moccasin.
She was preceded in death by Chief Esta Cani Yab and Chief Puffing Eyes; her parents Melda Bird Necklace, Jonas Bowker Sr. and Thomas Iron Mocassin; children Gino Allen and Clinton Reno; adopted son Vincent; grandchildren Brandi and Patelesio; brothers Jonas Jr., Donald, Daryl, Warren, and Alan; and sisters Evelyn, Beatrice, Isabell, Delores, and Esther.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.