Leslie Rain Yankton

Leslie Rain Yankton, “Tate Ob Omani Win” (Walks With The Wind Woman) passed away on Friday, December 29, 2023 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks ND with loving family at her bedside.

Leslie Rain, the daughter of Roger Yankton Sr. and Lorraine “Josie” McKay was born on December 22, 1975 in Devils Lake, ND.  She grew up in Fort Totten, attended Four Winds School and graduated from Four Winds High School with the class of 1994.

Leslie worked as a Teacher’s Aide at Tate Topa School, then at the Fire Hall and most recently Spirit Lake Casino. 

Leslie was all about family. She loved spending time with her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Whenever you came to visit Leslie you had to play a game of Yahtzee, 654 dice game or some other new game she enjoyed. She also enjoyed visiting friends, old and new. She loved her family and felt so blessed to have their love and support during this difficult journey and battle with cancer.

Leslie’s loving family include her parents Roger Yankton Sr. and Josie McKay; son Lander Yankton; daughters Taniesha Rainbow and Kiara guy; godparents Debbie Little and the late Stanley Howard; sisters Remi Yankton, Leona LaRoque and Darlys Teel; brothers Dana Yankton Sr., Carly Yankton, Roger Yankton Jr. and Ryan Yankton Sr.; step sister Trenda Littleghost; step brother Merlin Knutson; adopted sisters Georgia DuBois, Lisa Burdick, Stephanie Ignacio, Candy Herman-Wretling, Brooke Yankton and Crystal McKay; grandchildren Kemper Rainbow, Kenri Rainbow Black, Harper Lovejoy, Kenslie CrossWhite and LillyJo CrossWhite; aunts Celeste Herman, Clarice Lawrence, Valerie Bull, Jackie Yankton, Paulette Lenoir, Andrea Ironshield, Ramona Chaske, Anna McKay, Rosita McKay, Marilyn Thompson, Sherry Thompson, Cindy Thompson and Barb Jackson; uncles Ronnie McKay, Busty McKay, Corbett McKay, Murray McKay, James Yankton, Quentin Yankton, Calvin Thompson and Alfred Longie; and many dear cousins.

Leslie was preceded in death by her grandparents Pauline and Mike Greywater, James Yankton Sr., Angeline and Jesse McKay, special friend Kenroy Rainbow, uncles Alex Yankton Sr., Scott Yankton, Rodney “Cowboy” McKay, Kenny McKay, Robert “Sox: McKay, Jerome “Sonny” McKay, Jesse McKay Jr. and Patrick McKay,  aunts Jessica Yankton, Roberta Yankton, Marcia Littlewind, Barbara McKay, Georgeline “Cissy” McKay and special aunt Arvella McKay.

Active Pallbearers Dana Yankton Sr., Carly Yankton, Roger Yankton Jr., Ryan Yankton Sr., Terry Belgarde, Adam LaRoque, Eddie Greene, and Ryan Jacobson.

Honorary Bearers will  Helena Littleghost, (Grandma Pauline’s sister), Lorman Owlboy, Jared Yankton, Todd and Sheila Belgarde, Connie Baker, Scotty Leben, Fred Schempp Jr., Doveta and Dane Cavanaugh, the Azure Sisters, Shilo Omen, Neva Thumb, Tricia Adams, Natasha Littlewind, Arlene Belgarde, Peggy Cavanaugh, Lola Waanatan, Rhonda Greywater, Sally Cavanaugh, Jessie “Dutes” McKay, Darren Kimberly, Ang and Joe Garcia, Angel Thompson, Marilyn Thompson, Volante Littlewind, John and Ramona Chaske, Rena Lohnes, Barb Jackson, Austin and Jolene CrossWhite, Leon LaRoque, Tesha Teel, Danica Yankton, Ron McKay Jr., Carmen Littlewind, Yvonne and Louie DuBois, Delphine Cavanaugh, Lanelle Greybear, Myranda Greybear, Myron Greybear Jr., Ryan Yankton Jr., Trudy Iceman, Delmer Iceman, Raynard Iceman, Tamera Green, Lace Fox, Keisha Fox, Waylon RedTomahawk, Angela Richotte, Cory Delorme, Jessica McKay, Kristin Redfox, Onna Littlewind, Jeanetta Jackson and Brenda Jackson . A Special Thank You to the Devils Lake CHI Staff, Grand Forks Altru Hospital Staff and Spirit Lake Tribal Council.

There will be visitation at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Sunday, January 7, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Monday, January 8, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Paul Schuster celebrating the Mass. Burial will be in the Greywater Family Cemetery in the spring. There will be a meal and time of fellowship following the Rosary and the Funeral Mass both at St. Michael’s Wellness Center.