A funeral service for Winifred Sarah Andrews (Wanikiya Win – Woman Who Helps Her People) was held at 10 a.m., Monday, June 8, 2026, at Bonesteel City Hall in Bonesteel, South Dakota, with Ken James officiating.
Casket bearers were Trevor Andrews, John Beheler, Will Caldwell, Coleman Caldwell, Shane Pickner, Shaun Pickner, Shaye Pickner, and Shad Pickner. All of Winifred’s relatives and friends were honorary casket bearers.
Interment was at Ponca Creek UCC Cemetery in St. Charles.
Clausen Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements. Winifred was born August 20, 1950, to Jesse Sr. and Mercy (Stone Arrow) Andrews at the Gregory Hospital. She was the only child of 15 to be born in a hospital. Her mother wasn’t feeling well after the birth of Winifred’s brother Wilfred, so she was taken to the hospital and gave birth to his twin sister. After her mother passed she spent her younger years living with family. She graduated from Gregory High School. After graduation she moved to Pierre with her Brother Jesse and his family. She helped with taking care of their three children. She started working at a young age and continued to work at various places throughout her life. Her special places of employment in Pierre included the Happy Chef, Bunk House, and the Pierre Indian Learning Center. She moved to Chamberlain and began employment with the St. Joseph Indian School. She retired but continued to work part-time at the Dakota Indian Foundation, Buche’s grocery store, and the Chamberlain School as a bus monitor. Due to her health, she was forced into permanent retirement. At the time of her death, she lived with her sister, Rita, in Chamberlain.
Winifred was a very strong, independent woman who achieved many successes throughout her life. She had many friends and many of these friends shortly became family to her. She had two Hunka brothers — Tony Moran and John Beheler — and sister Misty Wolf Necklace. And a very close friend, Kelly Larson, who was always available to help her whenever needed.
She loved playing softball and was on a bowling team. These were two activities she enjoyed the most because they were played with her family. She played the position of pitcher for several years and became very good at it.
She had a heart of gold and did all she could to help others. But she wasn’t afraid to give a preaching when needed. If you ever received one of these preachings, it was only because she cared and loved you. She wanted nothing but a good life for all her family and friends.
After several months of declining health and a short stay at Ava’s House in Sioux Falls for comfort care, she began her journey on June 1, 2026.
Winifred is survived by her brother Jesse, sister Rita, mother-in-law Opal, and many relatives.
She is preceded in death by her parents Jesse Sr. and Mercy; grandparents Francis and Sarah Stone Arrow and James and Millie Andrews; brothers Conrad, Dana, Ronald, Marvin, Stanford, Wilfred, and Hampton; sisters Josephine, Margaret, Donna, Caroline, and Joyce; and sister-in-law Helen.
