Judy Ann Yellowbank 1955 - 2016

YELLOWBANK, BIGEAGLE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 10/25/2016 at 13:02:15

Sioux City Journal
5 October 2016

SIOUX CITY | Judy Ann Yellowbank, Caxsep Winga, 60, of Sioux City, passed into the Spirit World Monday, Oct. 3, 2016, following a lengthy illness, surrounded by her beloved family.

Services will be noon Thursday at Four Directions Community Center, 613 Water St., Sioux City. Burial will be in Winnebago (Neb.) Cemetery. Wake services continue today until service time Thursday at the community center, with Terry Medina officiating. Arrangements are with Winnebago Tribe Wake and Burial Program.

Judy was born Nov. 5, 1955, to Isaac Yellowbank and Josephine Brown-Crow. She was raised in Sioux City, and belonged to the Eagle Clan. She was the best frybread maker.

She attended Nebraska Indian Community College and was on the student senate. She transferred to Wayne (Neb.) State College, where she was on the honor roll. She graduated with a bachelor's degree in social sciences. She served on sub-committees for Sioux City Community Schools for desegregation and magnet schools. She served as a parent advisor to Indian Dance Clan, and helped organize Native cultural programs. She previously served in advisory positions for the Sioux City American Indian Center and put in many volunteer hours in almost every area.

Upon completion of her bachelor's degree, she became a teacher for a brief time at Winnebago Public School. She was a social worker for Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska, and later pursued a career as a social worker for the Department of Human Services in Sioux City.

She was a former board member of the Sioux City Indian Education Committee. She served on the Woodbury Community Action Agency Board of Directors, and as former chairwoman of the Sioux City Indian JOM Program. She was on the Iowa Commission of Native American Affairs (ICNAA). She was an advocate for the former Native Family Resource Center, program manager of Four Directions Community Center, member of Community Initiative for Native Children and Families (CINCF), and a Democratic political delegate for Iowa. She was a founder of the annual Memorial March to Honor Lost Children.

She was a strong leader who fought for Native family rights under the Indian and Children Welfare Act (ICWA), on behalf of the Native American community of the surrounding Sioux City area. She helped countless families reunite, and helped restore their rights. She was a positive role model and a strong advocate of the Sioux City Native American community.

She was a pipe carrier and sundanced for many years. She loved her Dakota/Lakota traditional ways, and walked the Canku Luta (Red Road) with her family.

In her relationship with Michael Gene John, her two older children were born. Following her first relationship, she married John BigEagle Sr. They had five children.

Survivors include her husband, John BigEagle Sr.; her two daughters, Kristina Yellowbank and Joellen (Norberto) Tafolla; her six sons, Anthony (Georgianna) Yellowbank Sr., Isaac (Courtney) Yellowbank, John (KaMarie) Big Eagle Jr., Dawson (Reva) Big Eagle, Jesse Saul Big Eagle and Dustin (Jessica) Big Eagle; her two adopted sons, Willie Arpan and Daniel (Kassie) Wood; sisters, Frieda (Donnie) Breum and Elizabeth (Dennis Sr.) Robertson; brothers, Martin Yellowbank and Robert Yellowbank; 35 grandchildren; and two great-grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her parents; Isaac Yellowbank and Josephine Brown-Crow; brothers, James Yellowbank and John Crowe; sisters, Jeanette Yellowbank, Fern Yellowbank, Jean (Yellowbank) Roberts and Helen John; and a granddaughter, Helena Mae Yellowbank.

Pallbearers will be Anthony Yellowbank Sr., Isaac Yellowbank, Willie Arpan, Michael John Jr., John Big Eagle Jr., Dawson Big Eagle, Jesse Big Eagle, Dustin Big Eagle and Daniel Wood.

Honorary pallbearers will be Pam Red Buffalo, Kim Bedford, Carol Bear Shield, Elida Bell, Theresa Wabasha, Celeste Honomichl, Verla Feather Earring, Dolly Flowers and Wanda Enamorado.