PIERRE, SD – Kathy Rae Mahto, (Xárate Miihe She, “Good Wolf Woman”), 68, of Pierre, SD, passed away at home on March 10, 2025, surrounded by her loving family.

An all-night wake will start at 5:00 p.m., prayer service at 7:00 p.m., on Thursday, March 20, 2025, at Lakota Chapel in Pierre, SD. Funeral service will be 11:00 a.m. on Friday, March 21, 2025 at the church.

Burial will be in Riverside cemetery at Pierre, SD.

Our fearless and courageous mother Kathy Rae Mahto made her journey to the heavenly gates on March 10,2025 in her home surrounded by her loving daughters and grandchildren.

Kathy Rae Mahto was born August 17, 1956, at 4:10 a.m. to Leslie and Alma (Wells) Mahto in Stanley, North Dakota. She was the baby of eight children, and they lived in the country near New Town, ND. She moved to Pierre when she was four after her father found a job building the Oahe Dam. Her mother stayed home with her until she started school. Her entire schooling was within the Pierre School District.

On September 29, 1972, she married Darrell Antelope and to this union their daughters, Mary Lynette and Nichole LaRae were born. They later divorced but always remained friends until his passing. She attended and graduated from Stewarts, school of hairstyling in 1978, passing her boards she became state certified. She then moved to Spearfish and attended Black Hills State University for 2 years. In 1982, she met Lynn King, they moved to Rapid City, eventually moving to Aurora Colorado. To this union came their daughter Heather Lynae. In August of 1990, she married Micheal Augustine. Their marriage eventually dissolved in 2014. She worked at the Pierre Indian Learning Center, State of South Dakota, River Crest Manor and the South Dakota Women’s Prison. She was a part of the 1st class to graduate when SDWP opened and earned her rank as a Sargent. Her health began to deteriorate, and she was forced to retire. As much as it pained her to stop working, she followed her doctor’s orders.

She loved to play various sports. Indoor and beach volleyball, running the tables in pool, excelled in karate and bowling bringing home state titles two years in a row. Her passion was softball. She played short-stop in her blue jeans. She raised her girls on the same fields and taught them at a young age to play the game she dearly loved. League nights and weekend co-ed tournaments were the life. As soon as her girls were old enough, they were fortunate to play right along with her. She eventually couldn’t play the game she loved, but always sitting in the stands cheering on her girls and grandchildren.

Her parents taught her their cultural ways. She was a fancy dancer, attending many celebrations and gatherings alongside her father. She was baptized in the Congregational Church in North Dakota. She attended church with her mother, from when she was a toddler, until her passing. She attended the Wesleyan Church (now the Lakota Chapel). She had a strong faith in God and believed in the power of prayer. Through many medical battles she had throughout her life, she never once backed down from any health issue that arose. We are proud to say we were raised by an independent, fierce, resilient, and courageous mother. A warrior that never backed down and fought every battle head on.

She is survived by her daughters, Mary Antelope, Nichole (Ken) Smart and Heather King. Grandchildren, MaKayla, Lynaya, Tritton, Shaydon, Kieran, Khalan, Kryschen and Daymian. Great-Grandchildren, Markus, Zavian, Uriah, Madilyn, Alzadden, Syraiyah, Sabastian, Demery, Draxton, Serenity and Lovell. Siblings – Carlisle (Carmen) Mahto, Algie (Rockee) Mahto, Bernadine Wilson, Ruperta (Galen) Larson and Karen (Burnette) Howe.

She is preceded in death by her parents Leslie and Alma Mahto, grandchildren Khailer and Kayne Smart, great grandson, Tylee Thompson,brother Leslie Mahto Jr.; sister Elvira Mahto; nephew Dennis Mahto; and brother-in-law Norman Wilson.

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