Home > United States of America > Nebraska > Knox County > Santee > Congregational Cemetery > Albert Joseph “Wawokiya Omani” Thomas

Albert Joseph “Wawokiya Omani” Thomas

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Birth	:	3 Apr 1920 Santee, Knox County, Nebraska, USA
Death	:	12 Apr 2004 Santee, Knox County, Nebraska, USA
Burial	:	Congregational Cemetery, Santee, Knox County, USA
Coordinate	:	42.8330000, -97.8523000
Description	:	SANTEE, Neb. — Albert Joseph Thomas, age 84, began his journey to the Spirit World on Monday, April 12, 2004. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at the Oyate Oyanke Community Center in Santee, with Father Ron Campbell of Sisseton, SD, officiating. Wake services will be April 12th, 13th and 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Oyate Oyanke Community Center. Buffalo Nation Drum Group of Santee will assist with the traditional songs. Burial will be at the Santee Congregational Cemetery in Santee. Military Rites will be conducted by VFW Post 4834, of Niobrara, NE. Pallbearers will be veterans:... Read More	SANTEE, Neb. — Albert Joseph Thomas, age 84, began his journey to the Spirit World on Monday, April 12, 2004. Funeral services will be Thursday, April 15, 2004, at 10:00 a.m. at the Oyate Oyanke Community Center in Santee, with Father Ron Campbell of Sisseton, SD, officiating. Wake services will be April 12th, 13th and 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Oyate Oyanke Community Center. Buffalo Nation Drum Group of Santee will assist with the traditional songs. Burial will be at the Santee Congregational Cemetery in Santee. Military Rites will be conducted by VFW Post 4834, of Niobrara, NE. Pallbearers will be veterans: Jim James, Roger Trudell, Everett Sandy Weston, John (JC) Campbell, Marion Brandt and Wyatt Thomas. Honorary pallbearers will be all clergy and veterans. Kostel Funeral Home, Yankton, is in charge of the arrangements. Albert (Wawokiya, Omani) was born April 3, 1920, to Zellie Wolfe and William Thomas, on the Lott Wolfe homestead on the Santee Sioux Reservation. Albert was raised on the Santee reservation by his aunt, Annie Wolfe. He was a member of the Santee Sioux Nation and a descendant of Chief Tatanka Mani. He attended Genoa and Marty Indian Boarding Schools. He served in the United States Army from March 1941 to October 1945, a World War II Veteran, stationed in the Okinawa and the Philippine Islands. His distinguished service to the United States included that of being a Dakota Code Talker, speaking in his native language to other Dakota military, a language and code the Japanese could not understand. He received an honorable discharge with the rank of PFC. He was a lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Niobrara. He was one of two living World War II Santee veterans. He was a member of the Holy Faith Episcopal Church of the Hobu Creek District, and an Episcopal Senior Cathacist in the Niobrara Diocese, serving the Santee Sioux Oyate for over 50 years. He was a Tribal Council Chairman, Vice-Chairman and Council Member for many years. He assisted in developing the Santee Sioux Tribal Ranch and was instrumental in acquiring Santee's first ambulance service. He farmed, worked construction and served as the first Home School Coordinator for Santee Community School. He retired in 1990, receiving honorary high school diplomas from Niobrara and Santee Public Schools. Wawokiya Omani was a traditional Dakota dancer, spoke his Dakota language fluently, believed in sacred Dakota traditional customs and beliefs and encouraged the Santee Oyate to never forget the sacred drum. He was the first tribal member to publicly revive the Isanti Wacipi (pow-wow) at his personal residence in 1960, after it was banned by the United States Government in the late 1800s. Also in 1960, he organized the first junior league baseball team on the reservation providing uniforms, coaching and traveling with young tribal members at his own expense. He married Linda L. Lawrence of Santee on December 1, 1945. They celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary in 1995. To this union, eight children were born, 27 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Those who will cherish his memory are Richard Thomas, Bloomfield, NE; Patty Thomas, Niobrara, NE; Ronald Thomas Bloomfield, NE; Martha Thomas, Bloomfield, NE; George Thomas, Niobrara, NE; Dawn Starlin, Niobrara, NE; and twin nephews, Ralph and Randy Thomas. He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers and sisters; his wife, Linda; sons: Daniel and Gary Thomas; four grandchildren and one great-great grandson. Albert, Wawokiya Omani, was an esteemed Santee Spiritual Leader and elder who gave his life to helping the Isanti Oyate. Yankton Press & Dakotan April 14, 2004

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Albert Joseph “Wawokiya Omani” Thomas's memorial?
Albert Joseph “Wawokiya Omani” Thomas's memorial is located at: Congregational Cemetery, Santee, Knox County, USA.
When did Albert Joseph “Wawokiya Omani” Thomas death?
Albert Joseph “Wawokiya Omani” Thomas death on 12 Apr 2004 in Santee, Knox County, Nebraska, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Albert Joseph “Wawokiya Omani” Thomas's memorial?
Latitude: 42.8330000
Longitude: -97.8523000

Family Members:

Spouse

Linda Lorene Lawrence Thomas

(1925 - 1996)

Children

Daniel Guy “Danny” Thomas

(1958 - 1975)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Congregational Cemetery
Santee, Knox County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8330000, -97.8523000

2. Santee Mission Cemetery
Knox County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8408000, -97.8378200

3. Santee Catholic Cemetery
Santee, Knox County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8373000, -97.8287400

4. Springfield Cemetery
Springfield, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8732986, -97.9132996

5. Saint Vincents Cemetery
Springfield, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8744011, -97.9132996

6. Bon Homme Cemetery
Springfield, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8788986, -97.7797012

7. Holy Faith Cemetery
Knox County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7731018, -97.7489014

8. Emanuel Cemetery
Springfield, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8400002, -97.9903030

9. Bon Homme Hutterite Colony Cemetery
Bon Homme Colony, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8629000, -97.7100900

10. Bazile Creek Cemetery
Bazile Mills, Knox County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7377500, -97.9311500

11. Webb Cemetery
Crofton, Knox County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8145300, -97.6924300

12. Pioneer Cemetery
Springfield, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8513985, -98.0500031

13. Bon Homme County Poor Farm Cemetery
Tyndall, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9518900, -97.9694660

14. Bethlehem Lutheran Cemetery
Springfield, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8727989, -98.0494003

15. L'Eau Qui Court Cemetery
Niobrara, Knox County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7458000, -98.0231018

16. Ptak National Cemetery
Tabor, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9150009, -97.6746979

17. Howe Creek Cemetery
Lindy, Knox County, USA
Coordinate: 42.6810000, -97.8127000

18. Hitt Cemetery
Avon, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9227982, -98.0307999

19. Barber Cemetery
Crofton, Knox County, USA
Coordinate: 42.7944000, -97.6416000

20. Tyndall Cemetery
Tyndall, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9953003, -97.8824997

21. Saint Leo Cemetery
Tyndall, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9967003, -97.8930969

22. Presbyterian Cemetery
Tabor, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9760000, -97.7343000

23. Evengelical Cemetery
Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.9664001, -97.9899979

24. Friedensberg Mennonite Cemetery
Avon, Bon Homme County, USA
Coordinate: 42.8958015, -98.0667038