Wenelle Clown

Wenelle F. Clown, 59, of Bismarck, ND and formerly of Bridger, SD, passed away Monday, April 28, 2025, at St. Alexis Hospital, Bismarck, ND surrounded by love.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. MDT, Saturday, May 3, 2025, at Pioneer Hall, Dupree, with a procession from the 2-mile corner at 10:00 a.m. Burial will follow the service, in the Dupree Cemetery.

Wenelle was a strong woman, and she battled the physical effects of diabetes this past year. Towards the end she stated that she was tired, but we won’t forget how hard she fought to live for her husband, kids, grandkids, siblings, friends, and family. 

Wenelle was born at the IHS hospital in Eagle Butte, SD to Eunice (Dog with Horns) White Eagle and Wendell BlackLance Sr. She lived her early life between Rosebud and Bridger. She spent the majority of her school years in Faith SD with her adopted parents David and Betty Veit. She graduated from high school at Dupree, SD 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, ND. 

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, she was a very hard worker.  

Wenelle always put her family first and loved her husband, True Jr., and her children, Ashley, True III, Kalsee, and Aaron very much. 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 loved them both very much. She is also very loved by her grandkids who call her BAM. Her grandkids are Kalsen (Kalsee’s) and Amaya, Jayden, Kaysen, Aedon, Brittyn, and Esa (Ashley’s). They call her BAM because Kalsen pronounced gram as BAM when he was little. 

Besides loving her family, she loved the game of softball. She was very competitive and loved winning. Through softball she met and made many friends who became family, she loved all of you so much, there are too many to name. She has many softball accolades, her team winning the state championship in North Dakota is one of them.  

Wenelle had a good sense of humor. She loved to laugh and joke around, and she loved to sing and just have fun. She wanted things done her way and when she said something, you listened. She wanted a one-day celebration of her life. She would want everyone to be happy for her and know that she is no longer in pain, so thank you for coming to celebrate with us. Wenelle knew the Lord and we know she is with him happy and healthy with her loved ones. 

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 brother-in-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 has been entrusted with Wenelle’s arrangements.