In Memory of Loettal Wallace

This article was originally published by Four Points Press on December 3, 2021.

Loettal Marie Wallace, 71, passes away in Seattle, Washington on November 21, 2021.

She was born in June 21, 1950 in Crow Agency, Montana, daughter to Marie Pretty Paint and Phillip Wallace.

Loe, as she was lovingly called, grew up and received her education in the Lodge Grass, Hardin and Anadarko, Oklahoma. She was a member of the Big Lodge Clan and was a child of the Big Lodge. Her Apsáalooke name, Ishbáalah xiisash / Known Through Many Ages, was given to her by her grandmother Libby Bear Cloud.

Loettal graduated from Riverside Indian School in Anadarko, Oklahoma in 1973. She was a traditional Crow woman who loved to participate in cultural events, including handgames, sweatlodges, wardances and sundances. She belonged to the Native American Church as well as the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

One of her greatest joys was spending time with her family and friends. She was a kind-hearted woman who will be missed by all those who knew her.

She was preceded her in death by her parents; sisters, Althea Vida Graham, Aldeanna Horse Chief, and Inez Wallace; brothers Sterling, Nelson and Everett Wallace, Earl Lynford, and John Horse Chief Jr.; daughter, Sheena Wallace; aunt Birdie Mae Lion Shows; nieces, Marietha House, and Genine Graham; nephews, Richard Noah, and Nephi House; grandsons, Dillon Graham, Nishan House, and Champ Ryder LaForge; and granddaughter, Skyla Dawn House

She is survived by her wife, Kim Brown; son, Michael DeSantias; daughter, Twilla House; adopted daughters, Patricia Sotelo, Marcella Greene, Clysta Cole, Leanne Pretty On Top, and Debbie Pretty Paint; adopted sons, Jace, William, Derrick and Heywood Jr. Big Day, John House, and Stanley Pretty Paint; sisters, Agatha (Bruce) House, Mary Lou (Heywood) Big Day Sr., Jeannie Alden, Lana Burlison, Frances Pretty Paint, Delia Charlie, and Jessica (Steve) Yaupaunich; brother, Gary Pretty Paint; her uncle/dads, Dewey and Wales Bull Tail; her uncles, Lloyd Pickett, and Thomas Lion Shows; her aunties, Lanelle Lion Shows, Eva (Sampson) Birdinground, Carol and Doris Bull Tail; her nieces, Rachel (Joe) Wallace and Evangeline (Paul) Pryor; and her nephew, Sterling Graham, whom she dearly loved.

Loe’s extended family includes the Pretty Paint, Wallace, Graham, Lion Shows, House, Left Hand, Don’t Mix, Dawes, White Fox, Mountain Sheep, Stray Calf, Other Medicine, Birdinground, Pickett, Morrison, Medicine Horse, Not Afraid, Plenty Hoops, Pretty Weasel, Bear Cloud, Pryor, Westbrook, Deputee, Bright Wings, Big Day, Big Medicine, Falls Down, White Clay, Old Dwarf, Gonzales, Glenmore, Bull Tail, Blaine, Anderson, Fredricks, Spotted Horse, Two Leggins, Three Irons, Hugs, Little Light, Walks Over Ice, Real Bird, and Stewart families, as well as the Terry Bullis family.

Our family is very large, if we have missed you in our grief, please accept our apology.

Our family would like to thank the staff and the RNs at Swedish Medical Center in Seattle for the kind care they gave to our sister Loe.

Funeral service held Friday, December 3, 2021 at Bullis Funeral Chapel in Hardin. Burial followed at the Crow Agency Cemetery.

Bullis Mortuary was entrusted with the arrangements.