Wanda Marie Carter Lind

Wanda Marie Carter Lind was welcomed into heaven on June 18, 2026. She passed peacefully at Monument Hospice House, surrounded by her four children. Wanda was a born-again Christian and lived a life of devotion to her family and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.

Funeral services will be held at New Hope Church in Timber Lake, South Dakota, on June 26, 2026, at 1:00 p.m., with Pastor Brent Cuny officiating. Visitation will take place at the church from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.

Wanda was born on September 11, 1943, the eldest of 13 children, to Clayton Carter and Vivian (Red Fox) Traversie. She often described herself as a “camp girl,” having been raised at the old Cheyenne Agency until it flooded. She attended St. Mary’s Episcopal School for Indian girls and after graduation, she married her first love, Patrick C. Kennedy on September 29, 1961, and four children were born from this union, Dee Ann, Clayton, Colin, and Sioux Marie.

Wanda began her career working for the tribe and completed secretarial training in Denver, Colorado, in the mid-1960s. She went on to serve her community in a variety of roles, including positions with CEB School, Sioux Super Value, and the State Bank of Eagle Butte. She worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs until 1982, and then as a Contract Specialist focused on tribal program and finance-related work until her retirement on September 29, 2023. Throughout the years, she spoke often and fondly of her friend and mentor, Judy Kessler, whose guidance and friendship she treasured.

Her commitment to public service extended beyond her professional work. She served on the city council and was honored to take part in the legislative process. Encouraged by her husband, John, in the early 1980s, she even ran for tribal chairman. She would laugh at this later because she only received nine votes, a story John teased her about, where he would say she should skip town. Wanda embraced the memory as a light-hearted reminder of her love for the Tribe and her desire to help, and she took pride in having stepped forward.

On October 22, 1983, she married the love of her life, John Lind. Together, Wanda and John traveled and enjoyed shared pastimes that reflected their zest for life, including horse races, rodeos, trips to nearby cities, and their beloved casino trips. Together, they made lifelong friends along the way. She was a staunch Democrat! Her family likes to think she had to have the last word regarding her political views, especially about Donald Trump, and decided heaven would be better LOL.

Wanda was a two-time cancer survivor while putting up with years with debilitating arthritis, yet she kept her daily routine and her connection to the community. From her home office, she watched her favorite TV shows, including The View, game shows, and Yellowstone/Dutton Ranch, and she stayed active on Facebook, sharing town news and keeping loved ones close through stories and encouragement. She was known for her quick wit and funny stories that lifted the room.

Following her retirement, Wanda enjoyed three meaningful years of well-earned rest. She continued a close relationship with the finance crew and took calls from colleagues seeking her wisdom, often remarking on how much she missed them. Her circle of special friends included Bev, Faye, Dixie, Bernie, and Kent, along with many others who remained a source of companionship.

Wanda is survived by her children, Dee (Wade) Lawrence, Clayton Kennedy, Colin (Ellen) Kennedy, and Sioux (Mark) Red Bear. She is lovingly remembered by her grandchildren, Jessie (Moreau) Four Bear, Jenney (Curtis) Simon, Lindee, Morgan, Kaydee Lawrence, Andrew Lends His Horse, Clayton (Swayze) Kennedy, Blayne Kennedy, Christine Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Richi Kennedy, Tyler Kennedy, and Douglas LaPlante.

She is also survived by her great grandchildren, Julie Kennedy, Penelope and Armstrong Four Bear, Renlee and Ryan Simon, Joseph Bridges and Gary Mound, Braxton and Brylee Kennedy, Dayson, Cairo and Jordy Kennedy, Whitney, Olivia and Cullen LaPlante. She is also survived by her special great-great-granddaughter, Baby Jeanne Autumn Shupick. Her siblings, William Carter, Rapid City, SD, Clayton Carter, Cortez, CO, Carol Traversie, Mike Red Fox, Rapid City, SD, Loren Traversie, Mary Ellen Traversie, Gerald Traversie, and Connie Traversie, Eagle Butte, SD.

Wanda was preceded in death by her grandmother, Jenny White Eyes Logg, parents, Clayton Carter and Vivian (Red Fox) Traversie; her husband, John Lind; her brother, Bernard Carter; her sisters, Cindy Lou Traversie and Ruth Ann Traversie, Cathrine Jane Yellow Hawk; and her grandchildren, Whitney Sioux LaPlante, Thomas Kennedy, and Bradley Kennedy.

Casket bearers will be Tyler Kennedy, Douglas LaPlante, Dayson Kennedy, Braxton Kennedy, Brylee Kennedy, Patrick Kennedy, Clayton (Swayze) Kennedy, and Matthew Shupick.

Wanda’s legacy endures in the family she nurtured, the colleagues and friends she encouraged, and the Tribe she served. She will be remembered for her integrity, her humor, her love of family and tribe, and the great strength she showed in facing life’s challenges. May her memory be a blessing and an inspiration to all who knew her.

Special thanks to Dr. Cleete, and the IHS ER staff, Monument Hospital doctors and staff, and especially the staff at the Hospice House.

Honorary pall bearers are all her friends, family, and colleagues.