Gladys Turning Heart

Gladys Turning Heart, 85, of Bear Creek, passed away Tuesday, June 23, 2015 at I.H.S. Hospital in Eagle Butte.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., MDT, Monday, June 29, 2015 at the HVJ Lakota Cultural Center, Eagle Butte with Sister Addie Morris officiating. Burial followed at the Dog Eagle Ranch, Bear Creek. Visitation was held from 5:00 to 9:00 p.m., MDT, Sunday, June 28, 2015 at the Church of God, Eagle Butte with a 7:00 p.m. memorial service.

Gladys Regina (Dog Eagle) Turning Heart was born to the late Rosalie (Counting) and Dennis Dog Eagle on March 11, 1930 at Old Agency. She grew up near the Morreau River, Armstrong County, and Bear Creek. She attended school at the Old Agency and graduated with honors. There she learned how to be a jack of all trades and eventually got her first job. She generously spent her paychecks on necessities for students who needed them.

Later in life, Gladys moved to Mossman then onto Bear Creek where she met the father of her children and made her home. Gladys and Aaron Turning Heart Sr. were united in marriage on February 16, 1958. To this marriage seven children were born: Stuart D’Aun, Jeffrey Blaine, Sherri Gaye, Jason Dean, Juan Darwin, Aaron LaRue and Arlys Holly Tahnee. Gladys was very proud of her children. All of them graduated from high school and made good lives for themselves. In 1979 she received her first granddaughter, Sherri. From this time on she took on the responsibility of being “Grandma.”

Gladys was known for many talents. She sewed star quilts that won numerous awards during the annual CRST Fair and Rodeo. Her quilts made it as far as Pennsylvania, New York, Washington state, Germany and Africa. She made famous fry bread, delicious homemade bread, gabubu bread, cinnamon rolls, and last but not least, “war cake.” Her “war cake” was requested by many-- especially all her grandkids that came to the country to see “Grandma Gina”. Gladys took on the duty as professional fry bread maker for the CRST Fair for approximately fifteen years.

Besides raising her children, Gladys also spent time working at the cook shack and working at the election polls. She also watched basketball and cheered for her favorite teams—the Bulls, Lakers, and Spurs. She enjoyed visiting her family and friends, listening to Jimmy Swaggart, and most importantly—teaching her grandchildren the ways of the LORD.

Grandma Gina gained a special bond with her granddaughters, Sherri Rae, Kayla LaRae, Shai Tiara, Traci RaDawn, Sunni Leigh, Erin Tatum Ree, Kai’Len Lu’Ree.

Her “Rascal Beescko” boys were always entertaining her with their care free attitudes and ability to be rambunctious. The “Rascal Beescko” boys include Brent “Chunky” Bagola, East “Easta” Lee, Jorge “Trey” Shepherd, Eric “Cheppa” Turning Heart. No matter what they did she never believed they did wrong. Stuart Turning Heart was one of the grandsons who viewed “Auntie” as his rock and the reason he had life. Jericho Ramsey Middletent also had the opportunity to be loved by her for many years until he moved away. Nevyn William Mendoza was her “Great.” The bond she had with all her grandchildren was like no other. Their needs became her priority; the ability to love each and every one of them unconditionally is what she knew best.

In June 2014 Gladys was diagnosed with cancer and fought until the day she left, during this time Arlys became her “nurse” and care-giver. She took on the role that many could not. Her granddaughters became her “CNA’s,” and her home became Bear Creek once again. There was not one time that Arlys left her side. She never let her be alone. One of the many wishes that Grandma Gina had was to see all her grandchildren accept Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior. On the day this wish was granted, she was able to live in peace. Gladys is a child of God. She did his work by instilling his Word in all who wanted to hear. Grandma Gina was the eldest of all her siblings, and now they are all able to rejoice in heaven for they have their sister, daughter, and mother home.

Gladys leaves behind her five sons: Stuart D’Aun of Bear Creek, Jeffrey Blaine of Bear Creek, Jason Dean of Bear Creek, Juan Darwin of Bear Creek, and Aaron LaRue Jr. of Eagle Butte; her special daughter, Arlys (Dale) Bagola of Bear Creek; her adopted sons: Shane Thompson, J Shepherd, John Finn, David “Tiny: Martin, Elder Nez, Elder Mark, and Gary Montreal Jr.; her adopted daughters: Sharon Vogel, Baby Erin Bagola, and Susie Payne; her favorite nieces: Rhea, Renee, Shellie, Rhonda, Narcelle, Nadine, Anolla, Kracy, Jolene, and Samantha; her adopted niece, Delphine Marrowbone; her nephews: Ed, Frank, Conrad, Norris, Edmund, Edwin, Cody, Efton, Gill, Blaine, Dustin, and James; and her favorite grandchildren: Robin, Lacey, Caitlyn, Christen, Sherri, Kayla, Traci, Sunni, Shai, Erin, Kai’Len, Tahnee, Mindy, Jaymalee, LaChelle, Calla, Kellie, Edith, Ronette, Trey, Chunky, Cheppa, East, Nevyn, Jeffrey Jr., Jericho, Breighton, Jiles, Dar’Ann, Joseph, Raquel, Noah, Kobi, Roy, Aiden, Octavian, Xander, Phill Jr., RanDunn, Braylee, Jordan, and Crissey.

Gladys was proceeded in death by her daughter, Sherri Gaye; her daughter-in-law, Sherri Shepherd; her nieces: Lucy One Feather, Rosetta Cook, and Norma Widow; her parents, Rosalie and Dennis Dog Eagle; her brothers: Irvin, Blaine, and Richard “Chuck” Dog Eagle; her sisters Ramona Hill, Delma Widow, and Delphine Dog Eagle; and her grandsons, Brandon Bagola and Charles Peterson.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Gladys’ arrangements.