James Stanley Yankton, Sr.

James S. Yankton, Sr., “Tahca Sinte Sapa” (Black Tail Deer) 87, of Fort Totten, ND passed into the Spirit World on Monday, March 13, 2006 at his home. Mass of Christian Burial for James will be held on Friday, March 17, 2006 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael, ND. Fr. Paul Ruge and Fr. Charles Leute O.P. will concelebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the VFW Post #6547. The Wake will be held at St. Michael’s Recreation Center on Thursday, March 16, 2006 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with the Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael Recreation Center will leave from the Wal-Mart Parking Lot on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. Serving as Active Casket Bearers for James will be Roger Yankton, Jr., Lance Young, Jared Yankton, Austin Herman, William Herman, Brian Pearson, Joe Yankton, John Lenoir, Kalum Yankton and all other grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Mr. and Mrs. Norman Burkland, Doug (Lorraine) Michaels, Clifford Jerome, Joanne Smith, Florestine Dunn, Tesse Brown, Ray Porter, Tony Walkingeagle, Steven Hoksina, Andy Shaw, Joseph Lawrence, Sr., Waylon and Renita Shaw, William (Martina) Kazena, Richard and Bonnie Yankton, Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Yankton, Norbert and Violet Fournier, Lois and Keith Leben, Rita Leaf, Paul Yankton, Jr., Carson Boyd, Cissy McKay, Barbara Robertson, Allen McKay, Sheila Thompson, Marjorie Ross, Pierre Culbertson, Wayne Trottier, Sr., Pauline Myrick, Bobby Gates, all the Walkingeagle Family, last surviving Spirit Lake Tribe World War II Veterans, Solomon Sherman, Frank Myrick and Ambrose Thompson, all members of the VFW Post #6547, Charlette Goodsoldier, Melvin Goodsoldier, Cory Yupi, Wendy Chopper, Jolene Chopper, Abraham Chopper, Jr., LaCroix Family, McDonald Family, Fr. Chuck, Fr. Paul, Special Sisters-In-Law, Helena Littleghost, Elaine Robertson, Elizabeth Littleghost, and Issac Mallard. James Stanley Yankton was born on September 4, 1918 at rural St. Michael, the son of Alexander and Angeline (Redhorse) Yankton. When James Yankton, Sr. was born, his grandfather Redhorse was hunting and shot a black tail deer. In Dakotah culture, “Tahca Sinte Sapa” is considered sacred by Dakotahs, so with this good sign, he was so named. He attended grade school at the Catholic School in Fort Totten, graduating from the Fort Totten Boarding School at Calvary Square. He went to Lawrence, Kansas and graduated from the Haskill Indian College. He married Catherine McKay and to this union was born their daughter, Lois. James enlisted in the United States Army on October 29, 1942 at Fort Rosecrans, California. He served with the Army Air Corp as an airplane mechanic at Luke Field in Arizona and at the Hobbs Air Force Base in New Mexico. James was honorably discharged on November 8, 1945 at the Air Force Base in Roswell, New Mexico. James returned to North Dakota to care for his mother and also to start his own family. James was united in marriage to Pauline Jackson and they established their home in rural St. Michael. James began his 28 years of dedicated service to the Bureau of Indian Affairs in 1952, working in the Land Realty Department. In 1960, the Devils Lake Sioux Tribe formed its own tribal council and James was the 2nd Tribal Secretary to be elected. In 1982, James retired and made his home in Fort Totten where he lived until his death. Throughout James’ life, he devoted himself to providing for all the needs of his family. He instilled in each of his children the importance of education. Also through his example and teaching he stressed accountability, responsibility and honesty in all aspects of life, in work and in rearing of children and grandchildren. To James, family was his number one priority and his most treasured moments were those times spent with family at family gatherings and with family and friends when traveling the pow-wow circuit which he so loved. For the past 20 years, James and his dear friend, Coretta “Louise” Necklace have enjoyed their retirement years together and also devoted themselves to raising several of their grandchildren. His sparkling eyes and gentle smile will be so very missed by all who knew and loved him. James is survived by his loving children; Daughters: Andrea (Roger) Ironshield, Fort Totten Paulette (Jerry) Lenoir, St. Michael Jackie Yankton, also St. Michael Valerie (Lawrence) Yankton, Fort Totten Clarice (Joseph) Lawrence, St. Michael Celeste Herman, Fort Totten Sons: Scott Yankton, St. Michael James (Cathy) Yankton, Alex (Connie) Yankton, both Fort Totten Quentin (Sharlene) Yankton, St. Michael Roger (Brenda) Yankton, Fort Totten Alfred Longie, Sr. also Fort Totten Adopted Sons: Doug Michels, South Dakota and Clifford Jerome of Montana Seventy-Two Grandchildren One Hundred Five Great Grandchildren Five Great Great Grandchildren Nine Nieces and Five Nephews Brothers: Giles Yankton, St. Michael Steven Hoksina, Devils Lake Tony Walkingeagle, Crow Hill Special Friend: Coretta “Louise” Necklace, Fort Totten He was preceded in death by his parents; daughters, Lois Varon, Roberta Mae Yankton and Mary Jessica Yankton; grandfather, SunuKaKanDuta and grandmother, CankuMazaWin; sisters, Catherine Yankton and Angeline LaCroix; brothers, Paul Yankton, Sr. and Andrew Yankton.