Funeral services for 81-year old Winona (Cecelia) Cottier are Sun, Feb 20, 2022 at 10:00 at the Activity Center in Martin, SD, with Pastor John Poff officiating and traditional Lakota services by Mr Justin Poor Bear
Burial is at the Lakota Chapel Cemetery in Martin.
A two-night wake service starts Friday, Feb 18, at 1:00 at the Activity Center in Martin, SD.
Winona Lois (Cecelia) Cottier was born on August 9, 1940 in Allen, SD to Emma (Ruff) Bettelyoun and Everett “Dickie” Bettelyoun. Beloved Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother, Great-Great Grandmother, and friend to many, passed away on February 6, 2022 at the Bennett County Hospital in Martin, SD.
Winona and her family lived in Pass Creek Community for a number of years before moving to Bear Creek Community, north of Martin, SD where her family was. She was the oldest of 9 children. She was known to host many family gatherings at the Community Hall and the Annual Bear Creek Powwow. She loved helping her family, extended family, and her community.
Our Unci’s are nation builders, they carry us on their shoulder no matter how much we think we help them out, they are always more worried about us than twenty grandchildren can worry about them. To us Lakota people, our Unci’s hold the power to make everything better. In fact, they just hold the power. They hold our families together and they seem immortal. When you lose a grandmother, even if they were sick, they still seem so strong.
She was a devoted sports fan to all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren at their sporting events. She never missed a home game. Her presence will be greatly missed.
Winona is survived by her daughters, Lavonne “Bonnie” (Craig) Dillon-Cottier, Barbara (Jerry) Richards, Kelly Cottier, and Mary Cottier; sons, Joseph Cottier, Jr., and Everett Cottier; Hunka children, Misty (Tony) Brave and Jay Helper; siblings, Mary Fern Bettelyoun; adopted brother, Spencer Standing Bear; grandchildren she raised, Mariah (John), Shavonne, Percy, and Matthew Cottier; 32 grandchildren; 89 great grandchildren; 3 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great-great grandchildren.
Winona was preceded in death by her parents, Emma (Ruff) Bettelyoun and Everett Bettelyoun; sons, James Cottier, Louis, Joseph Louis, and Richard Lee; daughter, Sharon Cottier; siblings, Charles Bettelyoun, Joe Bettelyoun, Julie Bettelyoun, Richard “Pinky” Bettelyoun, Irene Bettelyoun, and Darla Bettelyoun; and grandchildren, Frank (Yamni) Bettelyoun, Neveah Cottier, and Aaliyah James.
Pallbearers will be Joe Cottier, Richard Raymond Cottier, Deidra Dueter, Jacob Cottier, Charles Cottier, Roby Cottier, Jerry Richards, Percy Cottier, Everett Cottier, Jimmy Cottier, Emily Dillon, Dustin Cottier, and Cecelia Cottier.
Honorary pallbearers will be Mary Rose & family, Freida Poor Bear & family, Dillon family, Louden family, Ruff family, Daverine Shangreaux & family, Carl Standing Bear & family, Joann & JD, Linda Lone Wolf & family, Cummings family, Witt family, Brown Eyes family, Salway family, Clausen family, Lorena Brave Hawk, Beatrice Curry & family, Sharlene May, Annabelle Black Bear, Tall Man family, Hazel & Eula, Elizabeth (Co) Twiss, Bobbie Ponds, Lola Lessert & family, Jancie Trask & Wilcox family, Sheryl Lessert, Rhonda Three Stars, Selena Thunder Hawk, Opal Conroy, Waters family, Fast Wolf family, Joyce Wilson, Cara Alexandra, Terri Gregg, Connie Butcher, Soderlin family, Mary Moran, Cecile Poor Bear & family, Justin Cross & family, Samone & Louie Bad Wound, Felicia Ruff & family, Rena Bettelyoun & family, Shirley Marshall & family, April Byerley & family, Sherri Briggs & family, Edna Eagle Bear, DuBray family, Brittany Neigal, Francine Big Crow, Tiny DeCory, Woody Richards, Isabelle Gaddie, Carmen Cedar Face, Courtney & Delbert Hicks, Tammy & Kathy Dillon, and All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD