Majel Bowker Bird Necklace

Majel Bowker Bird Necklace, 82, of Eagle Butte, passed away Friday, January 10, 2025, at Monument Health, Rapid City. 

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, January 18, 2025, at the CRST Bingo Hall, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in the Congregational Cemetery, LaPlant. Wake services will be 7:00 p.m. MST, Friday, January 17, 2025, at the bingo hall, with a procession from the 4-mile at 5:00 p.m. MST. 

Majel Ruby Bowker Bird Necklace was born April 9, 1942, at Old Cheyenne Agency, SD 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. Majel told many stories of life on the ranch tending to the garden, riding horses, and helping tend to cattle. 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. Unfortunately, Majel lost her mother at a young age. After mother’s passing, she was cared for by her “Daddy” Jonas Bowker Sr., who loved her very much and took her as his own. Majel attended boarding school in Pierre, SD for several years eventually returning to LaPlant when her Kunsi and Lala came to get her. She finished high school at Cheyenne Agency. After high school she met and soon married Carlin Clown Sr. From this marriage they had five children: Gino Allan, Clinton, Colton, Darrell, and Darshane. Some years later Majel moved to Burbank, Cali 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 women 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. Majel was a spitfire and never backed down from a fight, just ask those on the receiving end. She had a soft, forgiving, kindhearted side that everyone loved. She had an amazing sense of humor and made all those around her laugh. She didn’t mind getting teased back. In her later years, Majel lived a quiet life. She enjoyed watching movies and her 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. She had a very sharp memory and even though she did not get out much she kept in contact with family and friends via Facebook. 

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. 

Those there to welcome Majel into the spirit world include her tiospaye and her beloved 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 has been entrusted with Majel’s arrangements.