Lyle Denny

To the friends and family of Lyle Erno Denny Itázipa tȟó (Blue Bow),

It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Lyle Erno Denny Itázipa tȟó (Blue Bow) on August 18th, 2025. Lyle was born on April 28th, 1950, to Vearl and Eunice (Blacktail) Denny. He completed the 11th grade before enlisting in the Army on February 17th, 1969.

Lyle had a distinguished military career, earning many accomplishments including the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksman Badge (M-14), and two Overseas Bars. He served in Vietnam from October 31, 1969, to October 17th, 1970, and bravely survived an attack on his tanker. He was honorably discharged on January 6th, 1972.

On July 4th, 1977, Lyle welcomed his only child, Aricka Denny.

Throughout his life, Lyle held various positions with the Fort Peck Tribes, serving as a Fish and Game Warden, Police Officer, Dispatcher, and ASRWSS. He was also one of the original singers for the Bandland Singers and could often be found at powwows singing with groups such as Fort Kipp Singers, Badland Singers, Talksdifferent Singers, and Tatonka O’ Yate. Lyle made countless friends during his time on the powwow trail.

Lyle enjoyed many hobbies, including breaking and training horses, traveling to powwows, reading, watching movies, and collecting hats, caps, and boots.

He came from a very large family, including the Spotted Birds, Menz, Runsabove, Boyds, White Eagle’s, Stafne, Blacktails, Bearstail, Starrs, Eashoppie, Betshismedicine, Pipes, Escarcega’s, Hawks, Medicine Cloud’s, Stanley’s, Friday’s, Yellowhammers, Blackdogs, Campbells, Summers, Youngbears, and Half Red, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. His extended family included the Greyhawks and Atkinsons.

Lyle is survived by his daughter, Aricka Denny; sister-in-laws, Ester Escarcega, Dorothy Denny, Janice Chapman Hamilton, Helen Hardin, Andi Gray, Claudia Scott, Bonnie Menz, and Gwen Gourneau; and nieces and nephews, Barbie Orourke, Kenny Whitehead Sr., Vearlene Denny, Keila Whitehead, Russell Denny Jr., Miles Denny, Holly Denny, Thomas Scott, Debbie Scott, Kaylee Scott, and Leslie Reinsloter. He also leaves behind several grandchildren and great-grandchildren. We apologize if anyone was unintentionally missed, as Lyle had a vast family.

Lyle was preceded in death by his parents, Vearl and Eunice Denny; brothers, William “Bill” Whitehead, Russell “Rusty” Denny Sr., Tom Escarcega Sr., Dusty Menz, Michael Laliberty, Brian Ackawenzie, and Orin Denny; sisters, Iris “Sissy” Anderson, Nancy Denny Dumont, and Jeanne Denny Reinsloter; brother-in-law, Karl Reinsloter; niece, Wallis Whitehawk; grandson, Joshua Grothe; great-granddaughter, Johnnie Girl Magnan; and infant nephew, Rusty Denny.

Pallbearers will be Kenny Whitehead Sr., Thomas Scott, Devin Magnan, Da’Shaun Jackson, Tommy Escarcega Jr., Santre Escarcega, Eric Nelson, and Ethan Threestars.

Honorary Pallbearers include the Fort Peck Veteran Affairs Employees, his brothers and sisters serving in the Military, and all his girlfriends.

A wake will be held on Tuesday, August 26th at 7:00 p.m., funeral services will take place on Wednesday, August 27th at 1:00 p.m. all at the Wolf Point Community Hall. Cremation will follow.

Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the guestbook below.