Wekota N. Crow Ghost

Funeral services for Wekota N. Crow Ghost age 73 of Kenel, SD will be held at 1:00 p.m. Monday, February 24, 2020 at the Douglas County Fairgrounds – Northside ~ Building 21 in Lawrence, KS. Visitation will be held from 11 – until service time at both services. The second funeral service will be 1:00 p.m. Thursday February 27, 2020 at the McLaughlin, SD Blue Gym. Wekota passed away Saturday, February 15, 2020 at Lawrence Memorial Hospital in Lawrence, KS. Warren-McElwain Mortuary is in charge of arrangements in Lawrence and arrangements are with Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge, SD.

Wekota Nevada Crow Ghost “One Who Rumbles Around” her Winnebago Indian Name was born May 1, 1946 at Wenatchee, WA to C.K. and Marie (Jefferson) Tecumseh. Wekota “Koty” was raised in White Swan on the Yakima Indian Reservation an enrolled member of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska. Growing up on a farm, Koty and her siblings learned the true meaning of hard work.

Koty attended White Swan Elementary, Robertson Middle School and White Swan High School. As a young girl, Koty attended Yakima Indian Christian Church and the traditional long house. At the age of 16, Koty was nominated Sugar Beet Queen of Yakima Valley, WA.

In 1964, Koty left home for Haskell Institute in Lawrence, KS. At this time, she met Errol D. Crow Ghost. After graduating with a Commercial-clerical certificate in May 1966. She moved to Dallas, Texas. Her first job in Dallas was with Western Union as a stenographer. Upon Errol’s return from Vietnam. Errol and Koty were married in Dallas on March 27, 1969. To this union they had four children, Errol Jr. (Doug), Travis, Casey and Twyla.

In late 1969, they moved to Kansas City, Missouri. Errol Jr. (Doug) was born in July 1970. In 1971, the family moved back to Dallas, TX. As part of the Teacher Core Program. Errol and Koty moved to Ft. Yates, ND where Koty took classes at the University of North Dakota. Travis was born on February 1975 in Bismarck, ND. Koty received her Bachelor’s Degree in Elementary Education in 1976. She started working at Sitting Bull College as an instructor. Casey was born in August 1978 in Bismarck, ND. In 1979, the couple moved back to Dallas. Koty worked at Hilton Hotel as a clerical worker, Twyla was born in March 1984 in Dallas, TX. In 1988, the couple moved to Lawrence, KS. Koty worked at Haskell Junior College as a Residential Aide from 1990 to 2006.

Koty was extremely outspoken, blunt and to the point! She believed in hard work and always reminded her children to “think of the future”. In her spare time Koty spent countless hours at the local Bingo Halls and Casinos. She loved to make baked goods for all to enjoy. She enjoyed cooking her famous recipes, as well. Koty loved all of her grandchildren and looked forward to being with them. Throughout the years Koty was a member of a few boards and associations. NIAWA (National American Indian Women’s Association), Boys and Girls Club of the Grand River Board Member, and most recently Post #239 Women’s Auxiliary.
Koty is survived by her loving husband of 55 years Errol “with the wrong man”, children Errol Doug (Starla), Casey (Allison) and Twyla, grandchildren, Aubrey, Sydney, Martina, Daysha, Napa, Trueth, Aiden, Brooklyn, Dayton, Dylan and Leon Jr. (PacMan), great-grandchild, Keira, also surviving are her siblings, Ramona Tecumseh, Rose Marie Christobal (Mono), Kyonia Tecumseh, Kiutus (Nancy) Tecumseh,
John Thomas Tecumseh.

Koty was preceded in death by her parents, C.K. and Marie Tecumseh, son, Travis Crow Ghost, niece, Stephanie Sandavol, aunt, Nevada Spearman, adopted mother, Gladys Benson.
Some of her favorite quotes were, “What a day, What a day”, “Mercy”, “50 years with the WRONG MAN”, “oh you wild woman” “Big Indian” and many more that cannot be repeated….

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