Our beloved sister, mother, aunt, niece, cousin and grandmother, Renae Darnelle Bull Chief, passed onto the spirit world on June 29, 2023 in Poplar, Montana.
Renae was born on February 18, 1984 to Timilyn Russell and Marvin Bull Chief II in Wolf Point, Montana. She grew up in Frazer and Wolf Point and later in Poplar. She met Leland Bullhead in the early 2000’s and from this union they had Tayawn, Kiari, Lalina, Jah-Kye, Matheau and Zaviure Bullhead. They parted ways and Renae moved back to Poplar where she later had her little princess Anissa Bull Chief on October 19, 2020.
In her younger years, Renae was a fancy shawl dancer and became Poplar Indian Day’s Princess. She also held a few small jobs at McDonald’s, Tande’s, Tribal Express and for a brief time she a part of the free phones at the Poplar Cultural Center. Renae touched the lives of many people by all who knew her.
Renae is survived by her children Tayawn, Kiari, Lalina, Jah-Kye, Matheau, Zaviure Bull Head and her little princess Anissa Bull Chief; her husband Leland Bull Head; her brothers Marvin “Jason” (Julia) Bull Chief III, Quentin (Sam) Bull Chief; step brothers Kyle Youngman and Darris Red Eagle; aunts Emoree Grey, Kenda (Martin) Martell, Jr., Taryn (Harlan) Jackson, Leah (Eldon) RunsThrough, Sr., Kathy (CP) Red Eagle, Glenna Red Eagle (PeeWee), Marlyce (Punkie) Jackson, Tara (Robert) Douglas, Shandera Bercier, Mel (Rollie) White, Sarah Carter, Sudi Rae and Jessie Jo Cloke, Mary (Greg) Plante, Sybil Grant, Carol Red Eagle, Rose (Custer) Bigleggins; uncles Allen (Verdina) Russell, Sr., Vince RunsThrough, Ennis (Stacey) Russell, Sr., Darrin (Margaret) BadHawk, Rory Hotomanie, James Russell, Dennis Russell, Misha and Ramon Cloke, Shane and Shilo Bercier, Leonard Grant; cousins Dalonna (Michael) Youngman III, Cecil and CeeCee Jackson, Robert Russell, Sr., Dylan, Brian, Brent and Xander Bull Chief, Rosina Blount, Marteen, Marsha and Shivonne Martell, Shadera Douglas, Jasmyn, Derek and Marcus Russell, Andrea, Heather (Cody), Nakiya, Kylie, Laryn, Farren, Valynn and Meronica Jackson, Traci and Michael Russell, Ashley Brock (Hubert), Twyla Hotomanie, Marya (Matt) and Trevor White, Irwin, Ryan and Robert Russell, Timothy and LaTeisha Hotomanie, Tameka Azure, Logan White, Jori, Demiree, Tia and Tai, Barbi, Josephine and Ethan Russell, Catlin and Quincy Eagleman, Langley, Eldon Jr., Randolph and Wylie RunsThrough, Jolynn, Alicia, Diana, Marissa, Darrin Jr., Jacob and Mariah BadHawk, Dionne, Dyson and Katrina, Robert, Aulora, Marcus and Lucas Bigleggins, Caiden Bercier, Kailey, Raven and Cameron Chapa, Dakota, Brooke and Kyria Marchaad, Niko, Valleen and Valko Bercier, Corwin, Austin, Bailyn, Darnelle, Elise, Faith, Galen Fourstar, Valen Hotomanie; grandmothers Florence Fourstar and Rodney Miller, Jana (Marty) Cloke-Moore, Madonna McConell-LaRoque, Marva RunsThrough, Annie Lester, Carol Foote, Yvette Todd, LaVerne LovesHim, Margaret Hapa, Julia Young and Verdis (Russell Mail) Grey Bull; grandfather Raymond (Carlene), “Sudi” Cloke.
Renae has her special nieces that were like her own children, Daralyn and Ashlyn Bull Chief Iron Bear, Jacora Youngman, and special nephews Jameron Limberhand and Jacoren Youngman. She also has her best friend/aunt Vernice Chopper, Jen RedThunder. Renae was not short on best friends while growing up and include Lorna Martell, Faye (Nick) Blount, Jennifer Looking, Sue Castro, Jennifer Moran, Katrina Bigleggins, Alex Romero, Carolyn Welch and Josh Stiffarm.
Renae is preceded in death by her sister Kyleen and her brother Bradley Bull Chief; her parents Marvin Bull Chief, Jr. and Timilyn Russell; her stepmom Amanda Red Eagle-Bull Chief; her paternal grandparents Marvin and Rose Bull Chief, Sr., Darlene Grey, Lucille “Ella” Russell and Stanley “Allen” Lester; great grandmother Lumina Cloke and great grandfather Joseph H. Russell; grandmother Nellie Silk, Florence Russell; grandfather Claire Fourstar, Sr.; aunts Shirlene, Marva, Twyla and Myra Bull Chief, Misty Iron Leggins, Emma Ebarb Buckles; uncles Steven Douglas, Joseph Russell, Claire, Corwin Fourstar, Allison Russell, Valen Hotomanie, Douglas Russell, Larron Hotomanie, Callen Cloke; cousins Phillip Cory Russell, Latoya Jackson, Deland Red Boy, Allen Russell, Jr., William “Chill Will” Russell, Deanna BadHawk and Eyan Russell; niece Mikaela Matomaza and grandson Logan Talks Different III.
Renae’s extended families include; Lester, Fourstar, Longee, Jackson, Russell, Azure, Cloke, Grey, Iron Bear, White, Youngman, Blount, Youpee, Hotomanie, Red Eagle, BadHawk, Grey Bull, Silk, Young, Follet, Martell, Smoker, Shields, RunsThrough, LovesHIm, McConell, WarClub, Wetsit, Fast Horse, Weston, Spotted Bird, TalksDifferent, Pipe, Red Boy, Menz and Schindler.