King, Emma Hasseoveo Rolling Bull (d. 1947)

Mennonite Weekly Review obituary: 1947 Oct 9 p. 3

Birth date:

text of obituary:

Indian Convert Passed To Her Reward

MRS. EMMA KING WAS FAITHFUL HELPER AT LAME DEER, MONT., MISSION

The following obituary of Mrs. Emma King, Indian convert and faithful helper who passed away recently at the Cheyenne Indian Mission at Lame Deer, Mont., was written by Mrs. Rodolphe Petter, missionary to the Cheyennes:

The parents of Mrs. Emma King were both part Cheyenne and part Sioux. They lived at Pine Ridge, South Dakota, before coming to Montana. The father's Cheyenne name was imperfectly translated as "Rolling Bull". In fact, he had two Cheyenne names Nak-Oxtapeasz and Hotoa-Oxzevaecsz. He served as Indian scout at Ft. Keogh near what was later to become Miles City, and then as policeman at the Lame Deer agency up to the time of his death.

He was the father of nine children, Emma being the youngest. She was born on the Muddy about where the William Harris ranch is now located. Her mother died when she was very small. A Mrs. Rondeau, "old lady Rondeau," then cared for her.

When six years of age she was placed in the Catholic Mission School at Ashland, and at eight she was sent to the St. Peter's Mission near Ft. Shaw and Great Falls, remaining there eight years.

She was married to Marion King at the age of 18. Eight children were born to this union, of whom four daughters and one son are still living. Also a brother, Rufus Wallowing, and a sister, Mrs. Minnie Bearquiver, are still living. She had five grandchildren and a number of nieces and nephews.

On the day that Marion and Emma King joined the Mennonite church at Lame Deer, Rev. Rodolphe Petter wrote, "Marion King was received as a member of our church today, May 2, 1920. He had been a strong member of the Catholic church and would have joined us sooner, but for his wife who was a devout Catholic. They both joined today, the very day the Lame Deer Catholic church was dedicated. . . . Hasseoveo (Emma's Cheyenne name) was a devout Catholic and had even considered becoming a nun. Today was a test for her, for the Catholic church was just dedicated, while she and her husband joined our church. We are glad to have her."

From childhood, Emma had a thirst for God and things holy. She was deeply religious. She sought the Truth and reveled in it. She religiously observed morning and night devotional periods up to the last. The Word of God was her meat and drink. More than that, she lived her religion. She lived to serve. She not only served her home and her family, but she continually reached out to serve others. Her natural gifts made her service increasingly valuable. She was intelligent and well informed on a wide range of subjects, ever eager to learn and to grow.

She was at home in the kitchen, in the laundry, in the sewing room, in the sick room, in the nursery, as aid to the nurses in the hospital and in the camps. She served eagerly in the church and often when emergency called, she gave able messages from the pulpit. She was kind, charitable, forgiving, never carrying a grudge, helpful, sympathetic, gentle in speech, wise in counsel.

The nurses loved her and gave her the well deserved title of "Mother of the Northern Cheyenne tribe." She also served ably as Bible woman and gave me wonderful support since the death of Rev. Petter.

She gave a ringing testimony of her faith to the missionary at Crow Agency shortly before her operation at the government hospital there. In the language of the poet, she, "approached her grave like one who wraps the drapery of his couch about him and lies down to pleasant dreams." We may well be confident that the Master says of such, "Well done, thou good and faithful servant, enter thou into the joy of thy Lord."