Cante Wasagya Win Ku, “Good Hearted Woman Coming Home”

Lydia “Yaya” M. Neis Zephier age 58 of the Lower Sioux Community journeyed to the Spirit World on Saturday, March 4, 2017 at Sunwood Good Samaritan Center in Redwood Falls.  An all-night wake service will begin at 4:00 p.m. Monday, March 6 at the Lower Sioux Church Hall, and will continue until the time of services at 11:00 a.m. Tuesday, March 7.  Burial is in St. Cornelia’s Cemetery on the Lower Sioux.

Lydia Marie Neis Zephier was born October 4, 1958 in St. Paul, Minnesota to Clarence Neis and Eunice Dow.  She attended St. Mary’s Episcopal Boarding School in Nebraska.  Lydia was united in marriage to Sherwyn Zephier.  She was a mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother, and Kunsi to her grandchildren, and a good friend to many.  Lydia was a Champion of the Dance; she was a fancy shawl and jingle dress dancer, and a pipe carrier.  “Easy beans, small potatoes” and “Goodnight, Irene” were famous lines of hers.  She loved to laugh, do bead work, and puzzles.  She was an avid Vikings fan, she liked to cook, and was graceful, gentle, and always ladylike.

Lydia is survived by her sons: Glen “Chaske”, Red Sky “Big Guy”, Sherwin Jr. “Sunny”, and Marcel “Cel Cel” Zephier; grandsons: Davian, Glen SkyHawk, Wade Jr., Colton, and Richard; granddaughters: Embree, Braxton, Alana, Shaili, Shailiah, Winnie, Jaliah, and Jazaise; great-granddaughter Pocahontas; siblings: Bradford Neis, Hope TwoHearts, and Clarence Neis; auntie Carol Taylor; many godchildren; nieces; nephews; cousins; and friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents, son Wade “Pretty Boy” “Mouse” Zephier, and sister Mary Neis.