Paulette was born on May 21, 1972 in Oakland, CA to Gwen Red Elk and Paul Herman, Jr. Paulette made her journey to the Spirit World at sunrise on October 12, 2024 in the Northern Treaty Territory of Oceti Sakowin, Bismarck, ND.
Paulette attended various grade schools in Fort McDowell, AZ, Spearfish, SD and Wounded Knee District School. Paulette attended one year at the Marty Indian School in Marty, SD during high school and she had then graduated from Red Cloud High School in 1990. Paulette furthered her secondary education in Salt Lake City, UT and graduated as a Certified Nurses Assistant and then with her Culinary Arts degree. Paulette became a Certified Nurses Assistant to become a caregiver for our precious grandmother, Mollie Wounded Head-Red Elk. After grandma journeyed to the Spirit World Paulette cared to many others at the Martin Nursing Home. Paulette moved away and excelled in the culinary field working at prestigious restaurants. Paulette was the best cook in Native America! We will miss her cooking and her big caring heart for her family and the people throughout Oceti Sakowin! Paulette had sundanced for multiple years at Grandpa John Around Him’s sundance. Paulette lived every day like it was her last day! She always listened and was there for her family, her people and most of all for her mother. Every day she called home to talk to mom. She treasured her baby sister, Lindy Jo Cuny and her baby brother, Arlin Duanne Cuny. And she still couldn’t catch her middle child sister, Steph Cuny.
Paulette is survived by her husband, Daniel Monasco of Bismarck, ND; hunka sons, Tristan Comes and Dayton Herman; hunka daughter, Staci Comes; mother, Gwen Cuny; father, Paul Herman, Jr.; step father, Orson Cuny; sisters, Duanna Red Elk, Stephanie Cuny (Shyanne), Lindy Jo Cuny (Chance Harison) & Shaina Herman; brothers, George Cuny, Arlin Cuny (Maleeya Bald Eagle), Christopher Red Elk, Jr., Alexander Salcedo; aunts, Jody Comes, Rhonda Herman, Betty Robertson, Roberta Wounded Head, Amelia Black Bear; and uncles, Leo, Tony, Joe, Rich and Ronnie Herman.
Paulette was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, Paul, Sr. & Pearl Herman; maternal grandparents, Mollie Wounded Head & Late Deacon Steven Red Elk; brothers, Thomas Cuny & Jeffery Cadotte, Jr.; uncles, Late Reverend Marvin Red Elk, Foster, Woodrow and Chris Red Elk, Sr., Kenneth Oliver, Donnie Francis Herman; aunt, Mona Patton; and spiritual leaders, Robert Stead & John Around Him, Sr.
Pallbearers will be Brayden Cuny, Arlin Cuny, Dave Herman, Joshua Steele, Cornell Reddest and Darryl “Chipper” Goings
Honorary pallbearers will be Around Him Sundance Family, Red Elk Family, Wounded Head Family, Herman Family, Cuny Family, Mona Brown & Family, Tiger Family, Black Tail Deer Family, Garfield Little Dog & Family, Looks Twice Family, Jumping Eagle Family, Ghost family, Earl Tall & Family, Betty Janis & Family, Ramone Bear Runner & Family, Steele Family, Cora White Horse & Family, One Horn Family, John & Carmen Cedar Face & Family, Bryan Brewer, Sr. & Family, Travis Loafer & Family, Edwina, Elwanda, & Edwin Fire Thunder & Family, Little White Man Family, Rooks Family, Vocu Family, Norma Rendon & Family, Lamont Family, Red Willow Family, Lindy Trueblood & Family, Red Cloud High School Class of 1990 and All Family & Friends.
Visitation Services: Visitation services will be held from 1:00-3:00 PM, Monday , October 21, 2024 in Oyuhkpe Territory at Gwen and Orson Cuny’s Residence, 3 miles South of Manderson, SD.
Funeral Services: 3:00 PM, Monday, October 21, 2024 in Oyuhkpe Territory at Gwen and Orson Cuny’s Residence, 3 miles South of Manderson, SD.
Traditional Lakota Services: Milton And John Around Him, Jr.
Burial Services: Cremation to Follow Services.
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD.