Wanita Rae Vavages-Mills

Wanita Rae Vavages-Mill, 50, proud member of the Cree Tribe of Rocky Boy's Indian Reservation, went to be with her Creator on Monday, Nov. 1, 2010, at the Benefis Hospital emergency from complications with dialysis. Her wake and rosary service will begin today, with her funeral 10 a.m., Thursday, at the Rocky Boy Lutheran Church. Burial will be held at the Denny Family Cemetery in Rocky Boy. Arrangements have been entrusted to Holland & Bonine Funeral Home.

Wanita was born to Leonard Vavages and Minnie Finebow-Northwind on April 15, 1960, in Wenatchee, Wash.. She was educated in Seattle, Wash., and graduated from high school. She held various jobs before her health problems prevented her from working any longer. For the last 20 years, Wanita has made her home in Great Falls, Mont. On April 14, 2008, she married her one and only love, Steven Edward Mills.

Wanita will always be remembered for her smile and laughter. Her good natured disposition allowed her to have a wide circle of friends because she was so easy to get along with. To her, everyone was her friend. She was smart, strong and very caring woman. She would bend over backwards to help anyone in need. She never gave a second thought when it came to lending a hand. And mainly, she refused to ever give in to her illness.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Leonard and Minnie; her brother, Johnny Northwind, and sister, Christina Love.

Wanita is survived by her husband Steve Mills; daughter, Little Sherry Northwind of Great Falls, Mont .; brothers, Steve Northwind of Great Falls; Larry Northwind of Seattle, Wash. and Henry Northwind of Seattle, Wash. Victor Campos of Fort Belknap, and Kenny (Lorena) Writing Bird of Rocky Boy, Mont .; sisters, Geraldine Rutherford of Fort Belknap, Darcia Northwind of Billings, Mont .; Sherry Northwind of Colorado, Linda Vavages of Seattle, Wash .; Ruby (Videl) Writing Bird Stump and Amy Writing Bird Harris all of Rocky Boy, Mont.

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