Ellen In The Woods, 1921-2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Feb 3, 2021 | 10:53 AM / 401 views
Ellen In The Woods, 100, of Dupree, entered the spirit world, Thursday, January 28, 2021 at the Medicine Wheel Village, Eagle Butte.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, February 6, 2021, at Pioneer Hall, Dupree, SD in accordance with CRST Tribal Funeral directives. Following the service there will be a walk-through visitation prior to processing to the Dupree City Cemetery where all are welcomed to attend. Mask will be required.
Ellen Mae Condon In The Woods “Hin Luta Win” Red Hair Women was born January 2, 1921 to Thomas” Irish Tommy” Condon and Josephine Little Eagle Condon (Deer Comes Out) in Cherry Creek, South Dakota. Ellen went to school at Cheyenne Agency and finished the 8th grade and went to school in Bismarck, North Dakota for a year. At a young age she married Jobe In The Woods on July 10, 1936. They married in Dupree, South Dakota by Rev. Ruleland. They made their home along Rudy Creek and later along the Cheyenne River. In 1952 Jobe and Ellen moved to Dupree, SD.
Ellen worked hard most of her life, raising children and grandchildren. She worked side by side with her mother, picking plums, cherries and drying meat and helping those in their community. During her youth she rode horses, helped plow fields and worked right along with her brothers and father. She had faith in her Heavenly Father and his son Jesus Christ, she went to church regularly and was active in her community. Mom/Big Grandma supported her family sundance every summer and camped out until she could no longer in her later years.
She started working in 1966 as a nurse’s aide at the Indian Health Service. She also worked as a cook with the Indian Health Service. She became a Community Health Representative in 1975 and worked in the communities of Cherry Creek, Red Scaffold and Bridger for 16 years and was also promoted to a field supervisor. She was very proud of her healthcare work which also included working with the EMT program as a driver and assistant.
Later in her life, she served on many boards, one being the Johnson O’Malley Board Chair, she also was on the Health Board, a Manor Supervisor, a Shelter parent, and District #1 President. She also served on the Housing Board, Cultural Center Board, and Elderly Nutrition Board.
Ellen served as a Midwife and delivered 19 babies and saved three mothers in delivery. She was a fluent Lakota speaker. She received an Honorary PhD in Lakota Education from the Cheyenne River Community College. In 1996 she received the honor of being named North American Indian Women’s Association (NAIWA) Indian Women of the Year.
Ellen is survived by her children: Bernard (Bernice) Woods of Dupree, SD, Bessie Moudy & (Clifford) of Dupree, Burton In The Woods, Sr of Dupree, Bentley In The Woods of Dupree, Barney (Nancy) In The Woods of Big Pine, CA, Charlene Red Thunder of Rapid City, SD, Bryce (Candance) In The Woods of Dupree, Bernita In The Woods of Dupree, and Belinda In The Woods of Dupree. Ellen had 49 grandchildren and 104 great grandchildren, 11 great-great grandchildren.
Ellen was preceded in death by her parents; eight siblings: Felix, Andrew, Gerald, Silas, Kate, Moses, Edward, Joseph Roscoe and Clarence “Bud” Condon; two daughters, Barbara Ann In The Woods and Beverly M. Clown; and three sons: Robert, Blaine and Byron In The Woods.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Ellen’s arrangements.