Funeral services for Winona F. Byno, 61, of Fort Thompson, SD will be 12:00 p.m. (noon), Saturday, July 13, 2024 at the Lakeview Cemetery at Fort Thompson, SD.  Devotions services will be 7:00 p.m., Thursday, July 11 at the Crow Creek Tribal Hall in Fort Thompson, SD and Friday at the NAC north of Fort Thompson.

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Winona Faye Pomani was born July 23, 1962 at the Community Bailey Hospital in Chamberlain to Donald Middletent Sr. and Gail Madeline Pomani.

Winona was the eldest of nine children.  She attended school at Fort Thompson Elementary School, Pierre Indian Learning Center, Crow Creek High School, school in California and finally nursing school in Sioux City, IA.

Winona worked as a CNA, alcohol and drug counselor, at a homeless shelter, and an advocate.

She loved to garden, bead earrings and ribbon skirts.  She also loved going to Sundance, riding around visiting relatives, and going to thrift stores and picking up clothing for others. In 1988 Winona met Ernie, in 1992 was united in marriage, her special love for her husband will forever be cherished.

Winona was foster parent and cared for her special niece for five years.

Winona made her journey to the Spirit World on July 7, 2024 at Sanford Medical Center in Chamberlain, SD due to medical complications at the age of 61.  Gratefully sharing her life are her husband Ernie, daughters Nicole/Peter Mirreaux,  Abigail Reed, son Buckley Reed, sisters Wanda Merritt-Comes Flying, Hazel Merritt, Lisa Merritt, Val (Ted) Merritt, Hope His Law, brothers Robert (Marletta) Merritt Jr., Kurt His Law, and Ambrose & Wilfred Keeble, grandchildren Arianna Mirreaux, Christian Lengkeek, Elias Mirreaux, Ashley Steele, Lexi Steele, Ethan Steele, Tyler Steele, and Chance Steele.  She is also survived by niece Leisa Pomani, who she cared for for over five years, and her lifelong friend/relatives Tammy (Terry) Fool Bull, Mona Rencountre, Tammy Big Eagle, Odien St. John, Christian Obago, Joyce Coleman, Candy World Turner, and Tim Grassrope.

Preceding her in death were her mother Madeline Pomani, father Donald Middletent Sr., adopted father Emerson Spider Sr., brothers Patrick Pomani, Louie Middletent, infant sister, grandfather Buckley Gage Pomani, grandmother Helen Plays With Iron, aunts Magnus Keeble, Mary Sargent, Melerine Fisher, Shelia Stricker, uncles Gabe, Delbert Sr., Robert "Bobbie", Leroy, Buzzy, Kelsey, some of Adeline Middletent Family.