Marian Spotted Bear

Marian Stella Spotted Bear represents the last of a generation born in Elbowoods, North Dakota. Throughout her life, she exhibited independence, strength and pride in being from Fort Berthold. She was born into a family of strong women on December 29, 1940, when her grandma named her Hsehká' Sííka Íkiihįhe or “Red Corn Mixed with Yellow Corn.” The Native community was curious about what baby Marian would look like. Her Indian name represents the blending of two distinct cultural families.

The family has a number of stories on how her parents met, but one common refrain is that when Lorenzo “Larry” Spotted Bear saw Ollie Sholass, he pointed her out to David Little Swallow and said. “I’m going to marry her someday.” The result of that knowing love was a marriage that produced ten Spotted Bear children. Marian was the oldest. She was 85 when she died on August 2, 2026, at CHI St. Alexius Health in Bismarck, North Dakota.

Marian later became a sister to three more siblings, Rhonda, Marty and Barry Benson, after the death of Larry and the remarriage of Ollie.

As the oldest, Marian was looked to for guidance. She loved her Mandan-Hidatsa heritage. Her first-born daughter, Faith Ann Skogstad, carried Grandma Stella Tail Spotted Bear’s name, Woman Above.

Hsehká' Sííka Íkiihįhe led a full and robust life, which led to many experiences and stories that she shared with her friends and family. She attended Haskell Institute, graduating in 1960. She also earned her bachelor’s degree from Minot State College, winning accolades as Who’s Who Among Students in American Universities & Colleges. She spent much of her career as an administrator holding jobs at the Department of the Air Force, the Interior Department’s National Park Service, and later at the Dickinson Police Department. She also dedicated years of administrative service to the Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara Nation.

As a sister, mother, auntie, and grandmother, Red Corn Mixed with Yellow Corn leaves the legacy of being a free spirit. She loved to camp near the lake with family. And when she was home, she routinely kept everything neat, clean, comfortable. She was a meticulous organizer, and she also loved to decorate her home splendidly during the holidays. And she always had a showcase for her immense collection of souvenir turtles.

Red Corn Mixed with Yellow Corn was the mother of two beautiful daughters, Faith Ann and Deidre, from her first marriage to Monty Skogstad. Deidre, her husband Marvin Shannon, and two grandsons, Demar and TreVante enjoyed many big life events with Marian. She moved to Okinawa, Japan, for a short time to live with the Shannons at Marine Corps Base Camp Kinser, where she saw the birth of TreVante.

In her life, Marian experienced true love. She married Mitchell Cook in December, 2005. They immensely enjoyed each other’s company until his death in 2008. As is life, Marian also saw the passing of other loved ones, including her daughter, Faith Ann Skogstad; her parents, Larry and Ollie Spotted Bear; siblings, Gertrude “Gertsy” Spotted Bear, Sandy Spotted Bear, Karen Lynch, Alyce Spotted Bear, Marty Benson, Kelly Spotted Bear and Rhonda Schettler. She is survived by her daughter Deidre Shannon (Marvin), grandsons Demar and TreVante, sisters Roberta Dahlen (Dennis), Ivetta Holding Eagle (David), Helyn Zarfos (Mark), Julie Beston, and brothers Lonnie Spotted Bear (Diana), Barry Benson, and Sal Beston.

At the time of her death, Marian received the utmost care and attention at Maple View, a memory care center in Bismarck, North Dakota. The family remains forever grateful for the kindness and care provided by the staff.

Marian's life and legacy will carry on through all the special memories she created with friends, family, and relatives. She cherished and cared for her family history. She shared so much knowledge and kept detailed records of the many generations that came before her. Her family finds comfort in knowing that her spiritual journey now leads her to join all those loved ones she missed dearly, and the ancestors she wanted to know.

To honor and remember Marian, a visitation will be held from 10:00 to 11:00 AM on Friday, August 7, 2026, at Bismarck Funeral Home. The funeral service will begin at 11:00 AM. Burial will follow at Werner Cemetery, Halliday, ND.