November 28, 1957 – April 28, 2025
Wenelle F. Clown, 59, of Bismarck, ND and formerly of Bridger passed away Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck.
Funeral services were held on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Pioneer Hall in Dupree. Burial followed in the Dupree Cemetery.
Wenelle was born at the IHS hospital in Eagle Butte to Eunice (Dog with Horns) White Eagle and Wendell Black Lance Sr. She lived her early life between Rosebud and Bridger. She spent the majority of her school years in Faith with her adopted parents, David and Betty Veit. She graduated from high school at Dupree and continued her education by obtaining an associate’s degree at United Tribes Technical College (Business Management), bachelor’s and master’s degrees cum laude, from the University of Mary (Business Management) all in Bismarck.
Wenelle valued education and taught her children and grandkids that education will take you far in life and that no one can take that degree away from you. Wenelle started her career working at United Tribes Technical College and ended her working career as a tribal veteran’s service officer in Ft. Yates, ND.
Wenelle and True helped raise their nieces, nephews, and grandkids throughout the years; she was a mother figure to many. She also called Rusty Hale her son and Whitney Hale her daughter.
She is survived by her husband, True Clown Jr.; children: Ashley (Edon) Willis, True Clown III (Chunky), Kalsee Clown, Aaron Clown, Whitney Hale, and Rusty Hale; grandkids: Amaya, Kaysen, Aedon, Jayden, Kalsen, Brittyn, and Esa; aunt Debbie Day; sisters Wynette (Jason) Mills and kids and Wileen Becker and kids; brothers: Wendell, Marvin and Merlin BlackLance; adopted siblings: Linda (Kevin) Mount, David John Veit, Nora Veit, and Kathy (Davee) Mraz, Cheryl (Steve) Keller, and Patty (Buck); and brotherin-law, Leon Engel.
Greeting her are her parents: Wendell BlackLance, Eunice Dog with Horns and David and Betty Veit; in-laws: True Clown Sr. and Nancy Clown; son Josiah Clown; brother Tracy Veit; sisters: Sandy Engel, Janet Sculley, Janice and Jackie Cadotte; in-laws Pur and Leon Hale; uncle Clement Long; nieces Caitlin Towry and Chelsea Wells; nephew Brockton Veit; and sister-in-law Reena Veit.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.