Our dearest Ruth passed peacefully in her husband’s arms in her home on the morning of Saturday, February 17, 2024.
Ruth Elsie Necklace Martinez, age 71, ‘Necklace Woman’, Nap’in Win, of Poplar, MT was born to Felix and Christine Necklace in Poplar, MT. Ruth was raised by her grandpa and Grandma Mr. and Mrs. John and Elsie Necklace. Ruth is the mother to Alphine Necklace Youpee, Meda Lukkasson and Arden Necklace Red Dog, Roberto Patino Jr., Amanda Necklace, Cordell, and Vernell Four Bear. Mama Ruth united with Terry Martinez, and they spent almost 45 years together living hand and hand on the red road.
Mama Ruth became a beautiful traditional dancer and lived a humble life, with her kindness and graceful heart. During the 1980’s she began to take in foster children. She mothered so many in her way, was grandmotherly to so many young hearts that many called her “Mom” and “Grandma.” Ruth always worked with children in various jobs. She worked for the Fort Peck Tribes Head Start for over 14 years before she retired. She enjoyed visiting with friends and family, creating and/or stitching star quilts. She also made breastplates with her Grandson PJ. She served on many powwow committees and supported them. She loved going to Bingo, playing machines, traveling to SD and ND for “doings,” powwows, ceremonies, and cultural events. She was a Water Protector and member of the Women’s Auxiliary. She was a war mother and took immense pride in her USMC son, Roberto. She was a part of the Pretty Iron Feather Dancers from 2016-2020. She quit traveling with the dance group when the coronavirus pandemic affected our area. She survived Covid three times. She was a fluent Lakota/Dakota speaker, and she was always sharing knowledge and teaching other women what they should and should not be doing. Ruth was a cancer survivor and she danced for those who were affected by cancer. She loved her family and her way of life. Ruth grew up with her sister, Cordelia Dust, her brothers, Russell, William, and Philmore Necklace.
Ruth is Grandmother to: Alphine’s children: Baby Michel, Philmore James Necklace, Felix John Necklace, Benjamin Necklace and Leroy “LD” Youpee Jr.; Meda’s children: Adam Samuel Lukkasson, Angelica Hawkins, Andrew, and Alivia Lukkasson. Ruth is grandmother to Arden’s children: Sioux Boy Necklace, Michel, Arnold, and Tristan Red Dog. Ruth is grandmother to Roberto’s children: Lacie Jackson of Wolf Point, Waylynn & Justice Bearcub. Ruth is grandmother to Amanda’s children: Ayanna and Alanni Necklace of Riverside, IL. Ruth is grandmother to Cordell’s children: Erika Boxer, Dae’Shanna, Aramani Katao aka “Cordell Jr,” Angel and Paul Four Bear. Ruth is grandmother to Vernelle’s children: Tiana, Taryn and Talia Four Bear of Macon, GA. Ruth is the Great grandmother to Angelica’s children: Aiden, Dalton, Levi, Arralynn, Jacob and Liliana; Justice’s son: Hance Chopper, Lacies children: Gabriel & Alexander Jackson-Cruz. Tiana’s children: Bryce and Evie.
Ruth is survived by her husband, Emanuel “Terry” Martinez,
Grandchildren: Hance Chopper, Philmore James Necklace, Felix John Necklace, Benjamin Necklace, Adam Samuel Lukkasson, Angelica Hawkins, Andrew and Alivia Lukkasson, Sioux Boy Necklace, Arnold and Tristan Red Dog, Lacie Jackson of Wolf Point, Waylynn & Justice Bearcub, Ayanna and Alanni Necklace, Erika Boxer, Dae’Shanna, Aramani Katao aka “Cordell Jr”, Angel, Paul, Tiana, Taryn and Talia Four Bear. Cousin: Vermae AkicitaWin Taylor.
HUNKAPI
Adopted Sons by Sioux Tradition: Dale Fox of Mandaree, Kristofer Boyd of Poplar, MT and Fort Peck Sioux Singers of Poplar, MT. Adopted Daughters by Sioux Tradition: Nicole Longee, Gloria (FastHorse) Diserly,
Adopted Granddaughters by Sioux Tradition: Amanda FastHorse-Boyd. Adopted Grandson by Sioux Tradition: Kevin Standing, Ethan Crazy Bull. Adopted Great-Grandchildren by Sioux Tradition: Jeorgie Cleo Fox and Bryce Lee Fox of Mandaree, ND, Victor Fox Boyd, Chante Was’aka, Mahto Witko, Georgia, Malcolm, Maddy, and Mason Boyd, Prairiedawn and Tahnee Thunderchild, Pretty Iron Feather Dancers, Treyjuan SuddenBrave of Little Eagle SD, Adopted Brothers by Sioux Tradition: Ron Eagle Chaser and Cody Eagleman. Adopted Siblings by Sioux Tradition: Sally (late, Ed) White of Parshall, ND; Veronica Serdahl of Mandaree, Greg & Mary Plante of Poplar, MT, ND; Georgia (Tommy) Atkinson and Georgia “Cissy” YellowHawk, of Poplar, MT, Yvonne Chase of Parshall, ND. Adopted Niece & Nephew: Perry & Imogene Lilley, Denise & Curtis Melbourne
She always made relatives wherever she went, and she had many adopted relations. You will always be Huunkapi, you know who you are.
Ruth is proceeded in death by her Parents: Felix and Christine Necklace, Grandparents: John & Elsie Kills Thunder Necklace. Brother: William “WJ,” Harold and Philmore Necklace; Sister: Cordelia Mae Dust, Charlotte Good Soldier; Daughters: Alphine Necklace Youpee and Vernelle Four Bear, Son: Roberto Patino Jr. Nephew: Melvin Good Soldier Grandsons: Michael J Necklace, Leroy “LD” Youpee III, and Venell Necklace-Brown. Niece: Morgan Marie Necklace. Adopted sister: Georgia Red Eagle. Beloved pet: Hoksila.
Extended Families: Kills Thunder, Necklace, Martinez, Four Bear, Packineau, Youngman, Chopper, Good Soldier, Michaels, Spotted Birds, Dust, Fox, FastHorse-Boyd, Plante
Friends & Family are too numerous to mention. If we have forgotten someone, it was not intentional.