Nellie Silk, Wha Ina Pe Win “Takes Them Out Woman”, was born March 29, 1932 at the Fort Peck Hospital, Poplar Montana to John and Nancy Follows the Road and entered the spirit world January 4, 2020.
At the age of 9 years Nellie’s mother passed away and was raised by grandparents Grandpa Thomas and Mary Long cloud, “Hunkaiapi” (An Elder) and “Good Pipe Woman”. They taught her many of the things important to traditional homes, such as the importance of being good to one another and loving and respecting others.
Nellie also lived in the home of her relatives Grandma Sees End of the Horn and her aunt Elizabeth Greybull of Fort Kipp. She was raised with Maryanne Greybull and Barbara Birdsbill.
Nellie attending School in Brockton Montana and later going off to boarding school in Pierre South Dakota.
Nellie met and married Charles Bernard Silk Jr on December 5, 1951 in Fort Yates North Dakota. Of this union 3 children were born, Charles Darryl Silk, Frederick Silk and Janice Nancy Silk. Charles passed away May 1970.
Nellie moved to Wolf Point in 1964 to babysit and never left. Nellie enjoyed sewing, beading making frybred, wojapi, corn-balls and wasna. She was homemaker, grandmother and great grandmother and advocate for children. Grandma Nellie babysat many children and became “Grandma Nellie” to many. She loved participating in the Parade every summer having her grandchildren participate too. She always looked forward to attending the Wild Horse Stampede, it was one of the highlights of her summer as she got older. You could always see grandma Nellie walking around town with a bag in hand picking up trash. Some days she would walk 5 miles. She said “you have to keep active”.
Nellie was baptized into the Morman Church and was strong in her faith with the lord. Grandma always reminded us to pray.
Nellie was a fluent speaker of the Sioux language she worked with Lanny Real Bird in the translation of the Dakota Language with 100 phrases along with the Plains Sign Language. She was always willing to help when asked how to pronounce or translate different words or phrases.
Nellie is preceded in death by her parents, John and Nancy (Longcloud) Follows The Road, Grandparents Tom and Mary Longcloud. Brother, Marvin Bull Chief Sr, Son, Frederick Silk Sr., grandchildren Elton Silk, Gloria Silk, Samantha Headdress and sister cousin Maryanne Greybull
Survived by children: Janice Poowegup, Charles Silk Sr, Niece Barbara Birdsbill, grandchildren: Charles Robert, Kobe, Katriel, Kraven, Kali, Kane, Larissa. Carmen, Ablazah. Colleen, Bryce, Jade, Bently. Trish, Dustan, Acacia. Fred Jr. (mister) Jazzman, Brent. Carleen, Matthew, Alex, McKayla. Sheryle, Kathryn, Kaden, Kayla. Charlie, Ronnie, Jesse, Keilby, Joaquin, Beau,Angela, Kylen. John, Stephanie, Kammie, Elyza, Sydne, Araya. Keydenn, Krayson, Karlyn, KreeDawn Longcloud, Braven Wasü, Kyle, Teri, Heather, Joseph and Husha.
A wake will be held at 7:00 p.m. on Friday, January 10, 2020 at the New Community Hall in Wolf Point. The funeral will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 11, 2020 at the New Community Hall in Wolf Point. Interment will follow at the Fort Kipp Cemetery. Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with the arrangements and condolences for the family can be left by using the form below.