ELLEN ASHES-DION

Funeral services were Saturday, March 16, at the White Swan Community Center in Lake Andes. Peters Funeral Home of Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Ellen Evelyn Ashes-Dion “Tate Iyohinwin” Reaches for the Wind Woman was born December 21, 1951 to Francis and Hazel (Simmons) Ashes at the family homestead in Greenwood. She started her journey to Heaven March 13, 2024 at the Wagner Community Memorial Hospital.

Tate was named after her great-grandmother, Ellen Simmons and was baptized with her Dakota name. She attended school at Greenwood until the family moved to Lake Andes in 1963 where she graduated in 1971. She attended Dakota Wesleyan University, but was unable to finish due to health.

Tate was well known for her sense of humor, love of the Los Angeles Lakers and Minnesota Vikings, (She is now visiting with her idol, Kobe Bryant). She loved playing the machines and drinking Dr. Pepper.

Ellen was known by many names by all who loved her, at the school she was known as “Miss Ellen” by many children and staff, our Sisseton family called her “Bubba”, Tate or Gramma Tot by our family, and the most precious Mom, Gramma, and Sister.

Tate leaves to mourn: Two sons, Toka and Quinn, one daughter, Julia, three sisters, Wilma, Ida, and Missy, one granddaughter, Alize, two grandsons, Kinglsey and Knightley and two great-grandsons, Kenton and Payson, one special “Brother” Sam “Junior” Crawford, three adopted sisters, Ella Rae Stone, Pam Redlighting and Patricia Troyer, many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, and friends.

She is preceded in death by parents; Francis and Hazel Ashes, brothers; Donald Byrd, Gary Aungie, Marlin Ashes, sisters; Francine Musgrove, Natalie Medicine Bear, Sophie Williams, Kerry Ashes, nieces; Dannielle Squirrel Coat, Alberta Ashes, nephew; Wilfred “Sam” Byrd, granddaughter, Grace Ellen Ashes, and numerous relatives.

She battled cancer with a positive outlook. We will miss her.