Eloise “Kay” YellowBear, 69, of Arapahoe, Wyoming passed away at her home on Wednesday, October 23, 2024. A prayer service will be held 7:00 pm on Monday, October 28, 2024, at Great Plains Hall followed by the wake at 428 Little Wind River Bottom Road. The funeral service will be 10:00 am on Tuesday, October 29, 2024, at St. Stephen’s Catholic Church with burial to follow at Friday Cemetery, Ethete, Wyoming.
Eloise “Kay” YellowBear was born in Riverton, Wyoming on June 28, 1955 to Calvin C. YellowBear, Sr. and Mary E. Brown Bear. She was raised by her Aunt Annie and Ambrose Wanstall in Arapahoe. Her Native American name was Woman Who Walks Around, Noe’oecebsei.
She attended elementary at Arapahoe and St. Stephen’s Schools. She graduated from Chilocco Indian High School in Oklahoma with her high school diploma. She received A.A.S in Business Office Systems from Central Wyoming College on December 19, 2002. Her B.A.S. in Organizational Leader Ship from the University of Wyoming on May, 8, 2010. Her M.O.A. in Organizational Management from Ashford University on June 10, 2013. She was currently working on her PhD through Ashford University.
Kay was enrolled in the Northern Arapaho Tribe, was a member of the Native American Church, and the Catholic faith.
She had worked at the casino in the vault, receptionist for the Northern Arapaho Tribe, Grant Director / Writer for CSBG, Northern Arapaho Summer Foods, Financial officer for the Northern Arapaho Tribe for over 15 years, and numerous other jobs.
Kay was always working or going to school. She encouraged youth and people of all ages to continue their education. She was a voice advocate for the Northern Arapaho Tribe. She was a member of the Northern Arapaho PowWow Committee for three years and she was a descendant and organizer for the Sand Creek Massacre Trail Run.
Kay liked listening to Native American songs, attending the Native American Church, beading, sewing, making her grandchildren’s regalia, going to the casino, PowWows, cooking for the family cookouts, family get togethers, camping, the outdoors, fishing at The Sinks, Bull Lake, and Washakie Dam, storytelling, spending time with family and friends, loved to travel and bake, especially Banana Bread. She especially enjoyed watching her favorite football team the Denver Broncos.
She is survived by her companion, Clyde “Mick” Spoonhunter; daughters, Adele Mandan, Rana Mandan, Alta Willow and Sydney Willow; God daughters, Latonia (Tony) Killsontop and Tara Brown; adopted daughters, Martha YellowBear, Bernie Willow, Cara SunRhodes, Teresa SunRhodes, Cassie SunRhodes, Ruth SunRhodes, Candace Redman, Amber YellowBear, Tamara Warren, Sereta YellowBear, Namoi YellowBear, Kerri YellowBear, and Marie Willow; and other numerous to mention; adopted sons, Andrew J. YellowBear, Jr., Mitchel J. Warren, Jr., Theron Willow, Micheal Willow, Josh Willow, Byron YellowBears, Jr., Lionel Makeshine, Preston Willow, and Justin J. SunRhodes; brothers, Byron YellowBear, Sr., and Gabriel J. Whitetail; numerous other adopted brothers; sisters, Laverne White, Elizabeth YellowBear, Lorrina YellowBear, and Lavina Antelope; aunts, Amelia Little and Ramona Cesspooch; and numerous grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren; and extended family members from the Brown / LoneBear, Wanstall, C’Hair, Norse and Blackburn families.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Calvin C. YellowBear, Sr. and Mary E. (Brown) Bear; daughter Lisa M. Mandan; grandparents, Chester YellowBear, Andrew Brown, Mabel Walkson Rolling Hill, and Alta Tyler; Andrew John YellowBear, Sr., Mary Rose YellowBear, Violet J. YellowBear, Calvin C. Yellowbear, Jr., Charlene “Macy” YellowBear, Vincent L. YellowBear, Sr., Ivan J. Bear, John E. Willow III, Ernest J. SunRhodes. Christopher R. YellowBear, Arlyn C. Willow, Angelica R. YellowBear, Taylor W. YellowBear, Brandon L. SunRhodes, Wilford W. Hill III, Merissa C. Spoonhunter, Shawn Armajo, Anthony Mandan, and Douglas Willow.
On-line condolences for Kay may be made at TheDavisFuneralHome.com
Services under the direction of Davis Funeral Home, Crematory, and Monuments.