Funeral services for Jo Esther Red Willow age 64 of Aberdeen, formally of Pierre, will be 11:00 AM Saturday, January 21, 2017 at the St. John's Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte by Mother Margaret Watson. Interment will be in the Dupris Family Cemetery at On the Tree, under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. All night wake will begin at 3:00 PM Thursday, January 19, 2017 at the TNT building in Wanblee, SD. Friday, January 20th, 2017 services for the Wanblee community will be by Father Rick at 10am in Wanblee, SD. 2nd night wake will be moved Friday, January 20th, 2017 to St. John's Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte, SD. Sister Mikayla Dunsee will be officiating wake services at 7pm. Jo passed away Saturday, January 14, 2017 at her home in Aberdeen.

Jo was born in Mobridge on November 9, 1952 to Edward and Evelyn (Good Bear) Dupris. She grew up in Isabel, Pine Ridge and On the Tree, SD. Jo graduated from Cheyenne Eagle Butte school in 1972. She attended Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, NM and becoming a Dental Assistant. Jo lived in many places over her lifetime, Eagle Butte, SD, Albuquerque, NM, Kansas City, SD, Wanblee, SD, Pierre, SD and Aberdeen, SD.

When Jo was a teenager, she baby sat for Red and Audrey Traversie, Johnny and Sharon Holloway, Greg and Melinda Ducheneaux, Mona Rae and Roger Lawrence families. She was still fond of those children she babysat. Jo worked as a waitress at the Eagle Butte Truck Stop. In 1978, Jo moved to Pierre where she began working at the Indian Learning Center from 1978 – 1985. In 1985, Jo moved to Wanblee to work as a dental assistant for the IHS from 1985 – 1990. Jo worked at Cedar Pass Lodge - Badlands National Park in Interior, SD during the summers. Jo then moved back to Pierre to work form the Indian Learning Center from 1990 – 2002. She then went to work for the Pierre School District from 2002 – 2013. She moved to Aberdeen in 2013 and then she moved to the Medicine Wheel Assisted Living Facility in Eagle Butte. Where she lived from August 2015 to June 2016. Then she moved back to Aberdeen Health & Rehab to be near her daughter when her health became an issue. Two months prior to Jo's passing, Cathy and Gary Dupris moved her in their home so she can feel loved and be home in her last days.
Jo met the love of her life and best friend, Gary "Dunks" Red Willow while working at the Indian Learning Center. Gary "Dunks" fondly referred to Jo, as his Eagle Butte. Jo married Gerald Red Willow at Kadoka, SD, to this union three children, Michelle, Iris, Puta Hoksila Red Willow.

Jo helped her father Edward at the A2Z Dupris Ranch her entire adult life and was the top cowgirl. Jo rode, vaccinated, branded and helped her Dad in every way at the A2Z Dupris Ranch in On The Tree, SD. Jo enjoyed attending Pow-wow's and Rodeo's with the love of her life. She enjoyed family dinners and holidays with her family, she loved to cook and bake.

Jo is survived by her daughter, Michelle (Wally Boggs) of Aberdeen, grandchildren, Michael, Marcus, Malea Gail & MiShayla Gobert. Uncle Joe Blue Coat of On The Tree, SD. Her siblings Ginger (Joe) Bowman of Eagle Butte, SD; Roger (Betty) Dupris of Timber Lake, SD; the late Edna Cook; Jolee Pfeifle of Pierre, SD; Gary Dupris of Eagle Butte, SD; Andy (Alma) Dupris of White Horse, SD; Marsha (the late Ike) LeBeau of Eagle Butte, SD. In-laws Jim (Francine) Red Willow and Nancy Red Willow of Wanblee, SD. And many nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Jo was preceded in death by her husband, Gerald; daughter, Iris Dupris and son Baby Puta Hoksila Red Willow; father, Edward Dupris; mother, Evelyn (Good Bear) Dupris; grandchildren TJ Gobert, John & Jonni Boggs, and Rainy & Stormy Rasmussen; sister Edna Dupris; grandparents Andrew & Helen (Larabee) Dupris and Amos & Emma Blue Coat.


PALLBEARERS
Antone Sanchez Jr. ~ Maurice LeBeau ~ Jesse Dupris ~ Matthew Janis ~ Junior Dupris ~ Joe Bowman ~ TJ Dupris ~ Leo Bowman
Lorenzo Red Elk ~ Brandon Dupris

HONORARY PALLBEARERS
Class of 1972, Gary Dupris Sr, Cathy Lone Fight-Dupris, Marsha LeBeau, Mary Lou Stanton, Francine & James Red Willow, Frances Ashley, Nancy & Kermit Dupris, Nancy West, Ginger & Joe Bowman, Lydia Red Elk, Marlene Tools, Brenda Morin, Diane Amiotte-Seidel, Pauletta & Steve Hernandez, Perc Red Willow, Kati Allyn Dupris, Twila Sanchez, JC Beare, Tina Lamont, Elaine & Bronco LeBeau, Stacey Red Willow, Darrell Davis, Pebbles & Antone Sanchez, Sandi Shay, Grace Thompson, Elaine Hanley, Julie Cholik, Monica Steuck, Trudy Pierce, Kella With Horn, Pat Doren Tobin, Clevia Red Wing, Evelyn Gravatt, Veronica Holy, Benita Clark, Pierre Indian Learning Center Staff, Verna Moran, Karl, Joan & Conrad Adam, Paul Knecht family, Jacquie Kelley, Ophelia & Billy Dupris, Colleen Bettelyoun, Mildred Little Plume, Tanya Kreitlow, Diana & Mark Melvin, Medicine Wheel Staff, Aberdeen Health & Rehab staff, Joanne Rockwood