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Mass of Christian Burial for Patty Valandra, 69, of Ft. Yates will be at 11 AM, Saturday, September 11, 2021, at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Ft. Yates. Burial will be at the church cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. There will be a Rosary service at 6 PM Friday at the church. Patty passed away Saturday, September 4, 2021, at Sanford Health in Bismarck.

Gwendolyn Patricia (Patty) Valandra

Wiyaka Ska' Win

(White Feather Woman)

November 14, 1951 – September 4, 2021

Patty was born to Gordan Sr. and Gwendolyn (LeCompte) Valandra on November 14 ^th , 1951, at the Ft. Yates IHS hospital. Patty was the fifth child born to this union, as there were ten children that completed this family. Patty was born into a very tight-knit family, they are always there for one another through thick and thin and no matter what catastrophe is thrown their way.

Patty graduated from Standing Rock High School in May of 1971. She was blessed with three children Joseph Alkire, Sonja Valandra, and Jade Mortenson. Patty graduated from Sitting Bull College with an AA degree in Early Childhood Education in May of 1987, she then went on to receive her CDA certificate in May of 1989. Patty has numerous certificates and trainings that she had attended throughout her professional career. Patty's last place of employment was for the Standing Rock Head Start Program as a Family Service Worker, as she ensured years of being employed with this program, not only in several different positions, but in various districts on Standing Rock as well. Patty thought hard and she had then decided to retire in 2015. All of Patty's work history is working with children and the youth. She also worked at the Aberdeen Area Youth Regional Treatment Center in Wakpala, SD for around ten years, helping the at-risk youth from numerous reservations nationwide.

Patty and Stan met in 2000, together they made their way back to Ft. Yates around 2006 and had since made their home. Patty loved being close to her daughter and family and loved to spoil every one of her grandchildren. She was the "Yes" person when mom said "no." Patty enjoyed her great-grandkids company and she loved to babysit them, she always said that they kept her going. She will be missed dearly.

Patty had a deep passion to not only helping children, but the numerous people she touched with her words of wisdom and great advice. Patty was a very special person and touched the heart of many, she was kind to everyone, always being the helping hand and lending an ear to those who needed her. Patty would giggle and feel so proud when she'd run into a past student, and they would say "Hi Teacher Patty". Patty loved her friends and family deeply. Everyone that went to visit her was always welcomed with her beautiful smile. She had a great sense of humor and loved to laugh and tease. She was a very special person to many.

In the summertime, you could always find Patty in her garden and flowerbeds, she always had a beautiful yard filled with knick-knacks. She loved sitting in her yard visiting and having a few cold ones with her company. She and Stan were great hosts on many different occasions. She loved to bake goodies for her loved ones and made goodie bags for most holidays. Patty loved her random road trips with her sister friends (Karen, Annette & Renee V), returning with so many stories to tell! She was an experienced seamstress, as she had made her sister Gail's wedding dress and outfitted her children and grandchildren. We can't forget to mention Patty's fur baby, Panda, she spoiled her dog, he will most definitely be lost without her. Patty collected crystal elephants; she has a unique collection. Patty and Stan were avid Vikings fans, never missing a game. On game days there were several calls between her house and Sonja's (Bronco fans).

Patty made her journey to the spirit world on September 4, 2021, at the Sanford Medical Hospital in Bismarck, ND. She had suffered from a heart attack and ensured complications from the surgery. Those Patty is leaving behind includes her daughter Sonja (Steve Willard) and son Joseph (Trish) Alkire, grandsons, Dugan Valandra, Shane (Catherine) Rothenberger, Ghavin (Savanah) Willard and Evan Willard; and granddaughters, Annika Valandra, Britley Gipp, Talicia Fredericks, Capri Bendickson, Natasha Alkire, Savanah Alkire, Desiree Alkire, Cori (Ty) Knudson and Tara Willard. Her great- grandkids, Aaliyah, Raider, Jerome, Kortez, Scarlett, Aspen, Evalena, RaeLee, Eli, Enzo, Sienna, Ethan and Emilie. She is also leaving behind her siblings, two brothers, Roger and Obede, and two sisters, Anne and Renee. Patty has numerous nieces and nephews too many to name.

Patty is joining her son Jade, her love Stan Hertel, and their dog Lincoln. Her parents, brothers; Gordon Jr. (Butch), Calvin, and Bruce; and sisters; Suzie and Gail. Nephews, Robbie McLaughlin and Jesse Bendickson, and Alex Livesay; nieces, Delfreda (Fuf) LeCompte, Olivia Jo (OJ) High Elk; and her favorite Uncle Dean LeCompte.