Cunupas’awin (meaning Pipestone Woman) or Cynthia “Nenee” Louise Dow, age 73 of the Lower Sioux Community, passed away peacefully on Thursday, January 29, 2026 while surrounded by her family, at CentraCare Hospital in St. Cloud. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Monday, February 2, 2026 at the Cansayapi Rec Center on the Lower Sioux Community. An all-night wake will begin at 4:00 p.m. Sunday, February 1 at the Cansayapi Rec Center, and will continue until the time of service on Monday. Burial will be in the St. Cornelia’s Episcopal Cemetery on the Lower Sioux Community. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.

Cynthia “Nenee” Louise Dow was born June 9, 1952 in Redwood Falls, Minnesota to Howard and Geraldine (Mireau) Dow. She received her education at the Bishop Whipple Mission School, and later the St. Paul Vocational School to become a legal secretary. She was hired as a legal secretary at St. Paul Indian Legal, and she lived and worked in St. Paul for several years before she moved back home to the Lower Sioux. Cynthia enjoyed attending powwows, dancing, listening to Motown music, and trying her luck at the casino. She treasured her family above all else and especially loved spending time with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Some of her favorite moments were shared with family and friends at cookouts, playing card games, and the marble game. She also had a green thumb and took great pride in caring for her plants. In her quieter moments, Cynthia enjoyed watching the Game Show Network, especially The Price Is Right, Family Feud, and Wheel of Fortune.

Cynthia is survived by her grandchildren: Larissa Baptiste, Athena Dow, Sheree Derby & Jeffrey Derby; great-grandchildren: Anevia Hanks, Aleecia Dow, Malia Hanks, Myania Hanks, Azayla Dow, Santana Dow, Jesus “Duta” Hernandez IV, Okiya Bird, and Baby Girl Derby; siblings: Dale (Jan) Weston of Cottage Grove, Patty Dow-Northrup of the Lower Sioux, Paul “Dugan” (Lori) Dow of the Lower Sioux; nieces and nephews: Anthony (Elaine) Dow, Calvin (Tammy) Dow, Lorna Dow, Aaron Northrup, Lane O’Brien, Russell O’Brien, Raina O’Brien, and Mato Dow;  and many other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Howard & Geraldine Dow, children Rita Derby and George Dow, granddaughter Chante Ohidika Derby, brothers Loren Dow and Bruce Dow, sister Kathleen Dow, brother-in-law Jim Northrup, great-nephew Atreyu Dow, Hunka brother Bruce Berry, and special friend Roberta “Wobb” Peterson.