Sandra Doris (Ramsey) Yellow Hammer, 57, passed away on Monday, September 26, 2016 in Billings surrounded by her children and husband. She was born in Dallas, TX to the late Sidney, Sr. and Victoria Ramsey.
Sandra was raised in Cannonball, ND on the Standing Rock Reservation where was an enrolled member of the tribe. Sandra attended boarding schools in her younger years up to 8 th grade at the Wahpeton, ND then she did her freshman year at Flandreau Indian School, she went on to Solen High School for her remaining 3 years where she graduated in 1977.
She met the love of her life Ronald Yellow Hammer, Jr. while attending high school and Ocotber 14, 1977 they were married at the Fort Yates Court House. In this union they had 6 children; Jennifer (Bryan) YH, Elizabeth YH, Lauren (Jimmy) YH, Wilma (Doyle) B.H.M., Ronnie YH, Joseph, Sr. (Adrian) YH; one niece they raised as their own Avis Bigtrack; a special granddaughter she was raising Terrie Bigtrack. She had a special place in her heart for all her grandchildren; 22 grandchildren, 1 great-grandson; April Brom, Wambidi YH, Shannon and Shauna Chase, Alleen, Princess, Allen III, Maryah, Presli Russell, Malcom YH, Lucy Hart, Shana, Lyn, TravisRay, Shauntae BHM, Evelyn, Kayden, Joseph, Jr., Urijah YH, AmarieJ, Kaisen and Kendreu YH and one great-grandson Tyson E. Craft.
January 1981 Sandra and Ronald moved to Bismarck, ND where they both attended United Tribes College, she graduated with her Business Associates, then September 1981 they moved to Brockton, MT. This is where Sandra made her home; she was active playing softball, basketball, and volleyball. She enjoyed powwows, she danced old style jingle and you would find her out in the arena floor at any celebration. From 1982-2003 she worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs in Poplar, MT and during the summer months from 1989-1996 she would be firefighting. Her most recent employment from 2006 until her passing was with the Fort Peck Tribes Senior Citizens as an assistant cook and janitor.
Sandra was also a war mother, in which she was very proud of all the veterans in her family, and a descendant of Chief Bighead for Standing Rock Reservation. Throughout her life she enjoyed playing Bingo, scratch cards, and Keno machines besides attending powwows you could find her always lending a hand at funerals, wakes, Bingos, whatever it may be she was there. One thing Sandra was a very loyal Brockton Warriors fan. She supported them always and you would always see her at the games.
Sandra had many adopted brothers and sisters; special sister/best friend Beth (Jake) Whitebull; sister Irene Evenson; sister Debbie Balch; adopted Mom Darlene Lefthand; adopted brothers Dennis FB, Tom Escarcega, Sr.; other numerous ones that we may have left off.
Sandra is survived by her husband of 39 years Ronald Yellow Hammer, Jr. her 7 children; 3 brothers; Sidney, Jr., Claude of Cannonball, ND, Sterling Ramsey of Poplar, MT; 1 sister Katherine Many Horses of Billings, MT; 22 grandchildren and 1 great-grandson. She had a very large extended family, numerous nieces and nephews, cousins on the Standing Rock Reservation.
She is preceded in death by her parents Sidney, Sr. and Victoria Ramsey, 5 sisters Mavis, Harnet, Claudia Ramsey, Linda Many Horses, Elizabeth Parks; 3 brothers Cederic, Terrance Ramsey, Bobbie Many Horses; 2 nieces Roberta, Laura Ramsey; 2 nephews T.C., Andrew Ramsey.
Forgive us if we forgot to mention anyone.
Mom, You will be greatly missed. You made an everlasting impression on everyone’s lives. Until we meet again, WE LOVE YOU!