Sandra Rose (Columbus) Geshick, Zitkada Wa?te Win “Good Bird Woman”, age 64, of the Lower Sioux Community, entered the Spirit World Wednesday, June 29, 2016 at her home surrounded by family. Funeral services will be at 11:00 a.m. Saturday, July 2, 2016 at the Lower Sioux Community Center. Visitation is from 4:00 p.m. Friday until the time of service at the Community Center. There will be a prayer service at 6:00 p.m. Friday. Burial is in St. Cornelia’s Cemetery. Online condolences may be sent at www.stephensfuneralservice.com. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home in Redwood Falls is assisting the family with arrangements.
Sandra Rose (Columbus) Geshick was born November 19, 1951 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to Thomas and Iola (Mireau) Columbus. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Cornelia’s Bishop Whipple Mission. Sandee graduated from Chilocco Indian School in Oklahoma in 1969. She furthered her education at Gustavus Adolphus College and received her Associate of Arts Degree in Dakota Studies at Sisseton Wahpeton Community College. Sandee later attended Southwest State University. She taught Dakota culture and language to young children in Montessori Schools and to older children and adults through the Shakopee Mdewakanton Community Education Department. The kids at the school all loved her and caller her Kunsi. Sandee married Ray Geshick in a traditional wedding in 1995 at the Lower Sioux Community. She loved her culture and language, and was very instrumental in bringing it back to the Oyate. Sandee was a member of the Ladies Guild, Dakota Women’s Society, Wisdom Steps, and Grandmother’s Society. She loved cooking and baking, flower gardening, and caring for her plants. Sandee was very meticulous in her quilting.
Sandee is survived by her husband Ray of 21 years; daughter Tamica Columbus of the Lower Sioux Community; granddaughter Sabrina Columbus-LaRose; siblings: Tim Columbus of San Diego, CA, Roland Columbus of Redwood Falls, Lillian Wilson, LaVonne Swenson, Marilyn HisDay, Vincent Columbus, Dan Grey Eagle, all of the Lower Sioux Community, Chris Columbus of Redwood Falls, and Melissa (Chris) Chee of the Lower Sioux Community; Hunka sister Shirley Bad Wound; mother and father-in-law Raymond (Holly) Geshick Sr. and Dorothy Strong; brothers and sisters-in-law Ann, Wanda, Jeff, and Charles Geshick; niece Priscilla “Scootie” Gruendemann and her children; many other nieces and nephews; her students, relatives, and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, brothers Alvin, Delano, Clyde, Kevin, Leon, and Glenford Columbus, sister Ramona, nieces Autumn Rose Jones, Salina Eller, and Monique Wilson, and nephews Chad Dean Gruendemann, Dennis Whipple, Donovan Golubowicz, and Willard Columbus.
Sandee you are a good friend with a gentle way and we were not ready to let you go. Miss you and knowing that I won’t be able to hear your voice during our conversations tears me apart. We will look in on Ray and Mato for you. Tanyan máni. To?ta ake waciyake kte. ??????????
Very sad to hear of Sandee’s passing, but was happy to have known her! She was always willing to learn and teach others, especially about Dakota language and culture. She was a true winyan, a true woman. May her family be comforted in knowing that others also cherished Sandee.
I didn’t get the opportunity to speak with you that often, but my daughter, Ever, loved you. Anytime she had class she’d come home talking Kunsi this, Kunsi that…and forever correcting my pronunciation of Kunsi lol You will be greatly missed, and my heart goes out to all your loved ones.
My heart goes out to the loved ones of Sandee! She came to me when I prayed for a language teacher. She brought authenticity to the classes and for that I will be truely greatful. Thank you God for Sandee! Sshe gave her time, wisdom and presence to the children and people of the MdeWakanton community, we will all miss her !
We are so saddened by the loss of such a special person. I’m grateful to have spent time with her over the last couple of years she was such a giving person sharing he knowledge of Dakota language and teaching us many other life skills. We will miss her stories and most of all we will miss Kunsi. Journey well. We mourn our loss but revel in heavens gain.
Sandee had been in our prayers every day, each time we saw an eagle, tobacco was offered in her name! We were saddened to hear of her passing.
My grand daughter called her Kunsi! We will hold wonderful memories of the times we spent together, and our travels together! She will be deeply missed, she was a dear sister friend.
We send our love and thoughts to her family, we know how much she loved you and how hard this was on her to leave you!
We are so sorry for your loss.
At the Minnesota Historical Society, we got to know Sandee over the years working on the Dakota prison letters book and other things. We knew Sandee as a rare person with a good heart and her deep commitment to the history of the Dakota Oyate and the preservation of the Dakota language will have lasting value for generations to come. She has been a spirit for good on this earth, we are sad to see her go, and we will miss her very, very much.
Sandee was not only a good friend but she was a Kunsi to our three children. She was a kind person who work hard to keep the Dakota culture alive. We loved her laugh and love of life. She and Ray were good to each other and role models for other married couples. I am sorry we were not here when she passed – but we will carry our memories of her in our hearts.