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JOAN Lakota name: Luta Koyag Mani Win (Woman Who Walks Wearing Red), age 73, died January 1, 2012 at the Lovelace Medical Center. She was born November 29, 1938 to Joseph and Clara Giago at Pierre, SD. Joan grew up on the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. She attended Holy Rosary Boarding School through High School. Joan received her License to Practice Nursing in Rapid City, SD. Thereafter, she married Robert C. Sakiestewa Jr. June 4, 1960 on Whidbey Island, WA. After starting her family she moved to Tuba City, AZ, then to Shiprock, NM where she worked as an LPN for Indian Health Hospitals. In 1968 she made Albuquerque, NM her permanent home and eventually continued her career at the VA Hospital as a Respiratory Therapist and Oxygen Coordinator. She retired in 2003 after over 40 years of civil service. Joan received many Certificates of Achievement, Performance Awards and Service Awards from the VA Hospital in Respiratory Care. She was viewed as an exceptional therapist by patients, co-workers and supervisors. She is survived by her three daughters, Carla Sakiestewa, Mary Sakiestewa and Michelle Hawthorne and son-in-law, Seth; her grandchildren, Clara, James (J.J.), Wesley, and Danny Chung and Martha and Sophia Hawthorne, all of Albuquerque, NM; five brothers, William (Bill) Giago of Lake Havasu, AZ, Robert (Bob) Giago of Pine Ridge, SD, Patrick Giago of Tuba City, AZ, Eugene Giago of Rapid City, SD and Warren Giago of Pine Ridge, SD; four sisters, Yvonne Reynolds of Rosebud, SD, Theresa Tibbits of Rapid City, SD, Loretta Giago of Pine Ridge, SD and Mary Nephew of Alexandria, VA. She was preceded in death by her mother and father and brother, Michael Giago. She is also survived and honored by her in-laws of the Sakiestewa Family, ex-husband, Robert Sakiestewa; brothers, Albert and Eric Sakiestewa; and sisters, Velma Albert and Alberta Sakiestewa. Memorial donations can be made by check or money order to "WakanyejaPawicayapi, Inc" (Children First) 923 Northridge Dr, Rapid City, SD 57701 c/o Gene Giago to support children/youth and families who continue to suffer from intergenerational grief, loss and trauma and strengthen and assist in the ongoing battle for the Lakota way of life and the future of our children and grandchildren. Friends may visit the family during the Wake at French - Wyoming Chapel on Thursday, January 5, 2012 from 5:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. Services will be held Friday, January 6, 2012, 9:00 a.m., also at French - Wyoming Chapel. Interment will follow at Gate of Heaven Cemetery. Please visit our online guestbook for Joan www.RememberTheirStory.com FRENCH 7121 Wyoming Blvd. NE (505) 823-9400
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