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Gladys Dorothy Bear Heels, age 83, entered into eternal rest on Sunday, July 15, 2007, at the Hans P. Peterson Memorial Hospital in Philip, South Dakota.  

Gladys was born August 25, 1923, at West Bend near Ft. Thompson, South Dakota, the daughter of Grace Bear and Van Meter Kennedy.  As a child she moved with her family to Norris, South Dakota, where she spent her childhood and being raised by Sam Chasing Horse, Sr.  

     She was united in marriage to Stacey Bear Heels on April 15, 1947.  They resided on a ranch south of Stamford, South Dakota, until 1953, when they moved to Belvidere, where she resided until her death.

Gladys was a very loving and devoted mother and grandmother.  She worked a variety of jobs and retired from Burns Brothers in 1988, where she cooked for many years.  

She leaves behind to mourn one son Leland Bearheels and his wife Iris of Kadoka; two daughters Jerilyn Means of Belvidere, and Marlene Kried and her husband Fred of Potlatch, Idaho; sixteen grandchildren; forty-four great-grandchildren; seven great-great-grandchildren; a special niece Charlene Ceni Ceros of Belvidere; two sister-in-law Martha Shot of Belvidere, and Ida Estes of White River; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Gladys was preceded in death by her husband Stacey Bear Heels on December 20, 1989; a granddaughter JoAnn Grace Romero; a grandson Craig Bearheels; a great-granddaughter Krisene Bearheels;  two sisters Katherine Dismount, and Theresa Chasing Horse; two brothers Roger and Sam Chasing Horse; a son-in-law Robert H. "Bob" Means on June 26, 2005; and several siblings in infancy.

Visitation was held 3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 18, at the Rush Funeral Chapel in Kadoka, and one hour preceding the services at the church on Thursday.

There will be a family prayer service on Wednesday at 7:00 p.m. at the chapel in Kadoka.

Funeral services were held 10:00 a.m. Thursday, July 19, at the Belvidere Community Church in Belvidere, with Rev. John Spruhan officiating.

Interment, next to her husband Stacey,  was held at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, with Chaplain Paul Lupkes officiating.

A memorial is established.

Thursday, July 19, 2007 10:00 a.m.

Belvidere Community Church

Belvidere, South Dakota

Rev. John Spruhan

Christine Dunham

Cordal Romero – Stanley Young III

Ronni Ricketts – Kinsey Ricketts

Austin Romero – Torian Romero

Joe Hagedorn – Dean Hagedorn

Cody Young – Brett Amiotte

Jay Romero – Francis Romero

All Relatives and Friends in Attendance

Thursday, July 19, 2007 – 2:30 p.m.

Black Hills National Cemetery

Sturgis, South Dakota

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