September 11, 1943– June 18, 2026_________________________________________________________________________________
Wanda Marie Carter Lind passed away peacefully at Monument Hospice House in Rapid City on June 18, 2026.
Wanda was a born-again Christian and lived a life of devotion to her family and the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe.
Funeral services were held at New Hope Church in Timber Lake on June 26 with Pastor Brent Cuny officiating.
Wanda was born on September 11, 1943, the eldest of 13 children of 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. Four children were born from this union: Dee Ann, Clayton, Colin, and Sioux Marie.
Wanda began her career working for the CRST and completed secretarial training in Denver, CO, in the mid-1960s. She served in a variety of roles, including positions with C-EB School, Sioux Super Valu, 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 programs 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.
Wanda served on the Eagle Butte City Council. Encouraged by her husband, John Lind, in the early 1980s, she ran for tribal chairman. She would laugh at this later because she only received nine votes, a story John teased her about.
On October 22, 1983, she married John Lind. They traveled and enjoyed horse races, rodeos, trips to nearby cities, and casino trips.
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.
Wanda was a two-time cancer survivor while putting up with years of debilitating arthritis, yet she kept her daily routine and her connection to the community. From her home office, she watched her favorite TV shows and stayed active on Facebook.
Following her retirement, Wanda enjoyed three years of well-earned rest. 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; 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; 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, and Whitney, Olivia and Cullen LaPlante; greatgreat- granddaughter, Baby Jeanne Autumn Shupick; siblings: William Carter of Rapid City, Clayton Carter of Cortez, CO; Carol Traversie and Mike Red Fox of Rapid City, and Loren Traversie, Mary Ellen Traversie, Gerald Traversie, and Connie Traversie, all of Eagle Butte.
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, Ruth Ann Traversie, and Catherine Jane Yellow Hawk; and grandchildren, Whitney Sioux LaPlante, Thomas Kennedy, and Bradley Kennedy.
(Dee Ann Lawrence’s address is P.O. Box 1285 Eagle Butte, SD 57625)