Dani Sue Deane, 62, Bismarck, formerly of White Shield, died on Friday, July 6, 2018 at a Bismarck hospital. Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, July 9, at 10:00 am at the Ralph Wells Jr. Memorial Complex in White Shield. Wake services will be held on Monday, July 9, beginning at 5:00 pm at the complex. Burial will be at the Immaculate Conception/Packineau Dam Cemetery in rural White Shield.

No one knows me better than me. This is the story of my life. I will try to be brief. I was born in to the loving family of Kenneth Deane Sr. & Betty (Dubois) Deane. My Grandparents were Elsie and Alvah Dubois and William (Bill) & Leona Deane. I was the youngest of four children: Kenneth Deane Jr., Denise Deane White and Victor Deane.

This actually extends to my first cousins: The White Family, the White Bear Family the Wells Family, the G. Deane Family, the Wilkinson family and Realbird family. They are my sisters and brothers too and have always been there no matter what! We have a lot of history together that spans from our childhood, through the hell raising years and now in our older wiser years. We always had each others back. I cannot stress that family is one of the most important relationships in our lives. We may not all get along all of the time but in the end, family is our link to our past, our refuge in the present and our hope and bridge to the future. Never stay mad at one another, life is too short. Also never pass up the opportunity to tell family and friends you love them! We are not promised a tomorrow!

My siblings may not realize how much respect and love I have for them. The three have always, always been there for me, through all my good times and supported me in my bad times without judging me. I truly love them & thank them. I will be watching over them!

I was extremely lucky to have developed families in two different states that spanned several reservations. After gaining a Masters in Social Work I worked for several years for my beloved Tribe as the Social Service Director. I then spread my wings and began working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs Social Services at the Cheyenne River Agency in Eagle Butte South Dakota. I originally told my new staff that I would be there for about three years. However this odyssey lasted 25 years. The team I worked with we became a family. This family includes Shirley Dog Eagle, the late Susie Dupris, Marcy Miner, Cindy Peterson, Carol Traversie, Delphine Red Fox, Cordelia Benoist, Daryl LeBeau and Barbara Dupris We laughed and cried together. We supported each other in our personal losses and tragedies as well as celebrating the joys in each other's life. Together we mourned the loss of our sister Susie. We were a family in every sense of the word. Marcy, Mom and I had many memorable adventures traveling. Cindy was another road warrior, always ready to travel. Shirley and Carol always kept us grounded with their faith.

I also had a family on the Standing Rock Reservation. This family developed also in my hell raising years and remains to this day. I was adopted into the late Mardeen Shooting Bear family (Wesley, Julie & Deanne), the Mentz families (Tom, Tiny, Tim, Linda & Josie) of Fort Yates. Again, we all went through a lot together, good and bad times and again we always had each other's backs.

Another sister relationship was developed with Melita (Chepa) Rank of the Crow Creek Reservation. We first became acquainted through work but developed a close relationship that remains to this day.

In my life experience's I had the honor of being present when new life came into the world and also had the honor of being present when souls left for the spirit world. These experiences has made me not scared of death. Death is just another transition.

The love of my life-my soulmate was Nathan Shelltrack Sr. He brought into our family our son Nathan Shelltrack Jr. Nathan Sr. taught me a lot about life as well as death. He left this world peacefully in 1986. When we meet in the Spirit World it will be a joyous reunion. I don't know if our son realizes it but I see so much of his father in him. Nathan Jr & wife Dixie, they are so special to me. They are both so kind and considerate. I know he has made his father proud! They have a compassion for helping everyone and anyone in need.

One of proudest accomplishments is my 29 ( I quit in 1989-do the math) years of being clean and sober. One day at a time

One of the greatest honors of my life was to take care of my mother in the last years of her life. Mom had developed Alzheimer's and watching its progression was one of the hardest things to watch. She was such a strong women. We lost our father at an early age and mom became our rock! I rejoice in seeing them again! I know it is hard, but as our parent's age—repay the debt and take care of them at home! The saddest thing I have witnessed in my work is the elderly being sent to Nursing Homes. This is not our Indian way.

I thank the Great Spirit for watching over my health so that I could care for my mother and see her out of this earthly world. She left in September 2015. In January 2016 I then began my own health crisis journey. I developed a number of health issues, one of which required open heart surgery in 2016. I know the surgery has given me more time. In 2017 another surgery was required. I have cheated death at least twice! I cannot take life for granted and realize every day is a blessing from our creator. I am not sure what he has planned for me, but I accept the life I have led without any regrets and accept death without fear. Life has been quite a ride.

Survivors include my siblings Kenneth (Shelly) Deane , Denise (Hollis) White, Victor Deane, son Nathan (Kay) Shelltrack Jr, nephew Stuart (Doris) Deane, niece Victoria (Jeff) Abramowitz, Aunts Delores Wilkenson and Kathy Realbird. Also surviving are my numerous sister/ cousins & brother/cousins.

I am preceded in death by my soul mate Nathan Shelltrack Sr., beloved parents Kenneth Sr. & Betty and both sets of grandparents, several cousins and several aunts and uncles. Also adopted mom Mardeen Shooting Bear, adopted brothers Tom & Tiny Mentz, and adopted sister Susie Dupris.

Live life to the fullest with no regrets!!! Lastly remember to love on another!!