Rena Elsie Ada Metcalf  Our beloved sister, friend and relative, Rena Elsie Ada Metcalf was born on September 19, 1963, and has continued her journey to the Spirit World on November 19, 2020.  Rena's Dakota name Cante Wa'ste Winyan, translates to Good Hearted Woman, given by her mother Elsie Wounded Knee.  The name reflects Rena's good character, she was honest and strived to help her family and friends by encouraging them to take positive actions in their lives.  Countless times, Rena assisted people in different ways to support their families.  She loved her many nieces, nephews and grandchildren, always giving them strong words of inspiration to live a better life.  Rena spoke from her heart and mind, which sometimes was hard to listen to, but her words were true and from her caring heart.  She was an excellent cook providing meals for many family events, church potlucks, Memorial Day services, and dinners to those in need of a meal.   Rena's residence was in Fort Thompson SD, with her son, Orlando Big Eagle whom she cared for and adopted since 2004.  Rena's first born son, Joseph David Metcalf, was born on April 11,  1995 with whom she is reunited in the Spirit World.   Her parents were Elsie Mae (Oakiye) Wounded Knee, father Theodor Francis Metcalf, Jr. and her step-father Joseph Wounded Knee, whom she spoke of fondly because he raised Rena since childhood.   Rena graduated from Crow Creek High School.  Attending Haskell University and then Mitchell Technical College where she achieved a degree in Culinary Studies specifically for Bakery.  Rena made the most beautiful wedding and birthday cakes.  In the past couple of years, Rena was studying Human Services at Sinte Gleska University and attending Lower Brule Community College, with a goal to complete a degree by Summer of 2021.   Serving many Native children, Rena worked at the Pierre Indian Learning Center and Red Horse Lodge.  She worked at the Crow Creek Tribal Courts as a Clerk under the Rosebud Sioux Tribe from 2003 to 2016. Her words of encouragement to those struggling in life was, "Love yourself first, then God and work hard for the good things in life."  Rena was a great example of overcoming physical, emotional and spiritual challenges in life, praying to God to help others heal their minds and hearts.   Rena traveled many places where she resided in Pierre SD, Wagner SD, Mitchell SD, Bismarck ND, Lawrence KS, Orem UT, Phoenix AZ and the City of North Pole AK.  During her vacations, she visited relatives in many states and enjoyed camping in the Black Hills.   A huge fan of Green Bay Packers, she cheered with family and friends.  Go Green and Gold! Active in promoting Native people to vote and she posted signs in her community to support political leaders who were loyal to Indian country.   Rena's maternal grandparents were Joseph and Ada (Leroy) Oakiye and paternal grandparents Walter and Jenny (Beavias) Metcalf.  She was one of 15 children.

Surviving are: sister Donna (Metcalf) and Charles Devin of Pierre, brother Theodore "TJ" Metcalf, III of Ft Thompson, hunka sister Jean Nahomni Mani of Mesa, AZ and hunka sister Pearl Kirkie of Fort Thompson.   She joins her brothers in the Spirit World, Darrell, Lester "Sonny", Delbert, Nathan, Wilmer, Harlan (Wady), and Irving; she joins sisters Anna Mae Fleury, Arliss Rabbit, Janice Faye Metcalf, Algina Metcalf and Jeanette Bloomquist.

Rena's son, Orlando (Bubbaz) would like to have a Celebration of Life for his mother to be held at a later time.  She put up a good fight against Covid, but the deadly virus took her life.  Rena encouraged people to mask up and be safe.  For any updates, you can watch social media posts from family members on future memorial services for Rena.

Often Rena gave words of inspiration, to sum up many of her quotes, "Life is hard, but you're strong as you want to be.  Climb that mountain of troubles and see the beautiful life God created for you."