Joyce Ann Thomas

Joyce Ann Thomas "Tasuna Duta Win" (Red Shawl Woman)

Joyce Ann Thomas of Crow Hill passed away on Sunday morning, September 29, 2024 surrounded by her loving and caring family at the age of 70. 

There will be a Wake for Joyce at the Crow Hill Wellness Center, rural Fort Totten on Monday, October 7, 2024 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. The procession to Crow Hill will leave on Monday at 4:30 p.m. from City Plaza, Devils Lake. The Funeral Service will be on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. also at the Crow Hill Wellness Center with Reverend Jimmy Harris and Reverend Larry Thiele officiating. Joyce will be laid to rest in St. Jerome's Cemetery. 

Joyce Ann was born on March 31, 1954 in Poplar, Montana, the daughter of Winifred (BuckElk) and Richard Thomas Sr. The family lived in Montana for a short time then returned to the Spirit Lake Nation. They made their home in Crow Hill and Joyce attended the St. Michael Little Flower School and her high school years AT Stephen Boarding School in South Dakota and the Maddock Public School in Maddock, ND.

Joyce dedicated her life to her family. She cared for her parents until their passing and raised several nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren as her own. She was the babysitter for most of the children in the Crow Hill District at some point in their lives. She was a “Mom” and “Grandma” to numerous children. 

Joyce was married to Curtis M. YoungBear II. They established their home in the Fort Totten area. Curtis died on October 17, 2000.

Joyce loved sewing, quilting, cooking and cleaning house. She was a Four Winds Basketball Fan and enjoyed going to Bingo to connect with friends and family. Visitors to Joyce’s house usually had to play a game or two of Yahtzee.

Joyce was a very respectful person, caring and loving. She was always there for her family and would help in any way possible. She was the backbone of our family. Despite her health battles these past 7 years, she felt so blessed to have the support, the caring and loving hands and hearts of her family.

Joyce will be missed dearly and will be kept in our memories forever. She is in God’s hands now.

Joyce is survived by her children Kayla YoungBear, Jerilyn YoungBear, and Krista Jackson: grandchildren Rosemarie Sherman, LaLani Rainbow, Karter Rainbow-Kaydean McKay, Casey McKay Jr.-Kendrick Jackson, Trinity Tenorio, Emily Keo, Thelma Wewenes, Yabnabi Wewenes; brother Adrian Thomas Sr.; sisters Wanda Thomas, Anna Thomas, and Cynthia Thomas; hunka brother Andy DeMarce Jr.; hunka sisters Reesey Littlewind and Lynette Lovejoy; numerous dear nieces, nephews and cousins.

Joyce was preceded in death by her parents Winifred and Richard, husband Curtis YoungBear II, son Kendall YoungBear on November 11, 2020, brothers Duane Thomas, Micke Thomas, Richard Thomas Jr;, Tim Thomas, Casey Thomas, Milton Thomas and Paul Yankton, sisters Annie Rene Thomas, Cheryl Thomas and Marilyn “Bubbles” Thomas, hunka brother Terry Dunn, several beloved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins.

A special thank you to our niece Krista Jackson who facilitated Joyce’s home dialysis for years until Joyce’s passing and special thanks to our niece Norma Thomas for providing her skilled nursing care service to Joyce until her passing.

Honorary Bearers: Pastor Jimmy and Caroline Harris, Catherine Howard, Juan and Lynette Lovejoy, Gloria BuckElk, Darlene BuckElk, Bernadine and Tommy Mandan and family, Louis BuckElk, Robert BuckElk, Helena Littleghost and family, Marva Tollefson and family, Ester Hoppa, Warren Jr. and Geraldine BuckElk, Velma Lambert and family, Justin and Brooke Yankton, Connie and Ronnie McKay, Bruce and Penny WalkingEagle, Michelle Thomas, Charlene Jetty, Jean and Jeanette WalkingEagle, Becky TwoHearts and family, Whalen and Renita Shaw, Vanessa Thomas and Royce McKay and family, Adele and Vincent Shaw, Joanne Smith, Chenoa Nestell and family, Kermit and Carol WalkingEagle, Russell and Francine McDonald, Myra and Clayton Dubois, Arthur and Cyndi Mudgett, Alfreda Dunn and family, Alberta Dunn and family, Anita Cavanaugh and family, Astel Cavanaugh, Wichapi Cavanaugh, Carmen Littlewind and family, Hopsty and Louie Dubois, Onna Littlewind and family, Germaine and Darren Demarce, Clara Brown and family, Jim and Monica Brown, Jeannie Cavanaugh and family, Luwonna Cavanaugh and family, Cora Whiteman, Catalina Herman, Pat WalkingEagle and family, Ronnie and Lorna WalkingEagle, Dallas Littlewind and family, Rose Mudgett, Benjamin Mudgett, Perry Mudgett, Jerry Mudgett, Marty Alwx, Bentley and Melissa Greybear, Londa Keo and family and Arlene Belgarde and family.

Pallbearers will be Clint Keo, Chadd Keo, Mitchell Keo, Jore Thomas, Kenyon Longie, Taylor Nestell, Delbert Demarce Jr. and Alton Nestell.