Obituaries for May 12, 2022

Jean L. Kettering

SUN CITY WEST, Ariz. — Funeral services for Jean Louise Kettering (Harvey), 93, will be held Monday, May 16, at 2 p.m., at the Camino del Sol Funeral Home (13738 W. Camino del Sol) in Sun City West, Arizona. Visitation will take place from 1:30 p.m. to 2 p.m.

Jean was born to Clara and Wayne Harvey on April 1, 1929, in Manchester, South Dakota. She passed away April 30, 2022, in Sun City West.

Jean married Dwight Kettering of Brentford, South Dakota, in April 1951. She worked with Cooperative Extension Services throughout the states of Arizona and New Mexico.

Throughout her working career, Jean was involved with various 4-H programs, which she thoroughly enjoyed. She loved gardening, especially growing tomatoes. She loved dancing and her passion for the four-legged creatures was evident in the many dogs and horses that she raised.

Jean is survived by her sons, Jeff (Mavis) of Gilbert, Arizona, Kent (Lynn, deceased) of Washougal, Washington, and Orin (Denise) of Gallup; and four grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Jean is preceded in death by her husband Dwight and grandson Rob.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to the Humane Society.

Corie Moran Adakai (Dec. 25, 1943 — April 24, 2022)

ALBUQUERQUE — Corie Moran “Kookum” Adakai, a genuine and beautiful person, was an enrolled member of the Turtle Mountain Band of Chippewa Indians of North Dakota. Born in Williston, North Dakota, on Dec. 25, 1943, to William (Buffalo) Moran and Mary Jane Allard, she was raised in Trenton, North Dakota. She began her journey into the spirit world on April 24, 2022, at her home in (Paradise Hills) Albuquerque.

Excellent, charming, forthcoming, always laughing, always making other people comfortable and welcomed, excellent mother, excellent planner, organizer and coordinator, excellent facilitator, full of information, always in demand to facilitate small or large wellness conferences, and most of all, an excellent companion of 59 years. In the next seven months, companionship and marriage would have been 60 years.

Corie was educated in Williston and Trenton, and Flandreau Indian Boarding School, South Dakota, where she graduated with honors. She relocated from North Dakota to New Mexico/Arizona in 1961 where she was accepted to study nursing in Albuquerque. She continued to study at the Indian Health Service in Fort Defiance and graduated as valedictorian of her nursing class in Albuquerque.

Corie met her husband, Frank Adakai, who was working as a Navajo Police officer in Fort Defiance, in 1961. Corie and Frank married on Dec. 22, 1962, in Thermopolis, Wyoming, and have three children, Kurt David, Jaylene (Cookie), and Kevin Wade.

During the 59 years of marriage, Corie and the children moved about 12 times, along with Frank, who was following his occupation in the criminal justice system.

During the 37.5 years, Frank, Corie and the family resided on the Navajo Reservation in Tuba City, Chinle, Many Farms, Window Rock, and lived on the Mescalero Apache Reservation in Mescalero, New Mexico; Shoshone Arapahoe Reservation in Fort Washakie, Wyoming; Red Lake Ojibwa Reservation in Red Lake, Minnesota; and the Rosebud Sioux Reservation in Mission, South Dakota.

They also resided in Washington, D.C., central office of Criminal Justice for one year before Frank was reassigned to the Albuquerque Regional Office. Corie and Frank moved back to Albuquerque, in 1985 and purchased their home in Paradise Hills.

Corie was a seasoned and excellent conference facilitator. She was well-known throughout the U.S. and Canada with facilitator skills. She traveled out of Albuquerque and was a facilitator in demand. She was a facilitator in the field of wellness (mental, emotional, physical, and spiritual), grieving, Gathering of Native American, team and trust building, to name a few of many topics she facilitated.

During the many years, the name Corie Moran Adakai became a household name throughout the country. Organizations sponsoring a small or large conference were requesting for her to facilitate at their conference. She traveled almost every week to do her facilitating where requested. She would always tell her friends she could run in her Stiletto high heels through the airport and each time she always made her flight.

In her years in Albuquerque, Corie was elected and appointed to serve on the board of directors as secretary for First Nation Health Source and director of the Native American Indian Village at the New Mexico State Fair for 10 years. This yearly event was for 17 days. She was an excellent planner, organizer, and coordinator. She assured and sensed the importance of furtherance of all tribal culture and traditions. She staged different tribal dance groups who performed, as well as the annual competition powwow and Navajo song and dance.

Today, the people attend the annual New Mexico State Fair and miss how the Indian Village used to be coordinated. Being a people person, dignitaries like the New Mexico State Fair Board of Directors and the executive director, and Governor Bruce King and his wife took a liking to Corie. Governor King, every year, would invite Corie and Frank to the governor’s mansion in Santa Fe.

Proactivity and prevention being the underlying theme, Corie was the co-founder, co-planner, co-organizer, and co-coordinator of the New Year’s Eve Sobriety Powwow. This powwow was founded based on New Year’s being the deadliest period for vehicle crashes. The powwow started as a one-day event but later became a two-day event. We enjoyed having about 2,000 people come and attend the powwow. The New Year’s Sobriety Powwow was planned, organized, and coordinated for 15 years.

Corie was the co-founder, co-planner, co-organizer, and co-coordinator of the annual Wellness/Healing Skills Conference, which was held for 12 years in Rio Rancho, New Mexico. The three-and-a-half day wellness conference was founded based on assisting people in learning how to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Corie made sure the facilitators for the conference were all Native professionals who were well-qualified and held educational credentials. The conference was attended by councilors, social service, police officers, and behavioral health professionals. In addition, other community people were invited and attended the conference. The conference awarded 21 hours of Continuing Education Units, sanctioned by the state of New Mexico Credentialing Board. This conference was one of the first to add PTSD to its curriculum. It was found out the military, upon discharging a veteran, did not follow through nor offered any type of continued counseling. The veterans were never really desensitized.

All in all, everything comes to an end. Everyone will experience advancement in age and become an elder. People will also experience health problems prohibiting and limiting things they use to do in life. Corie was no exception. Her main complaint was, “People say the Golden Age is the best part of our lives. People lie, Golden Age gives you grief, as you become very limited and health problems become very imminent.”

In past years, Corie was initiated into the Midewiwin Ceremony on the Roseau River Band of Ojibwa in Manitoba, Canada. Every year, for the past 25 years, Frank drove her from Albuquerque to Roseau River Reserve, Manitoba, Canada. Corie saw the importance of furthering in upholding the Ojibwa ceremony, culture, traditions and songs.

Corie was praised, honored, blessed, and sent on her journey through the Midewiwin Ojibwa western doorway ceremony. The ceremony was beautifully done by Laura Horton, Jill Mackin, Barbara Cameron, and Patricia Moore traveling from Manitoba Canada and Montana.

Our beautiful and cherished Corie will be going home to Trenton, where her ashes will be released on her homeland, as this was her wish for Frank, her true love, to take her home.

Corie is survived by her husband, Frank Adakai of Albuquerque; children, Kurt David of Albuquerque, Jaylene (Cookie) and husband Mike of Rio Rancho, and Kevin Wade of Santa Fe; sister, Virginia (Ginger) Thomas of Belcourt, North Dakota; and four grandchildren and three great-grandsons.

Corie is preceded in death by her father, William (Buffalo) Moran; mother, Mary Jane Woody; brother, Duane Moran; and sisters, Louise Allard and Mabel Moran Turcotte.

Benny Slim Sr.

HOUCK, Ariz. — Graveside service for Benny Slim Sr., 85, of Lupton, Arizona, was held May 7 at Houck community cemetery in Houck, Arizona.

Benny was born Aug. 15, 1935, in Lupton, into the Tábąąhá (Water’s Edge Clan), born for Táchii’nii (Red Running Into the Water People Clan). He passed away May 1, 2022, in Farmington.

Benny completed the five-year program at Intermountain School in Brigham City, Utah, and worked years at Patterson Farms in Paul, Idaho. He also worked with irrigations, operator for various field machines, tractor, combine, etc. He retired and moved back to Arizona.

Benny enjoyed singing, dancing, watching sports, and visiting family, friends and relatives.

Benny is survived by his ex-wife, Sarah Baldwin; sons, Benny Slim Jr., Brian Slim, Dale Slim, Kevin Slim, and Shawn Slim; brothers, Leonard Slim, Johnny Slim, Jon Francisco, Kenneth Slim, and Daniel Slim; and sisters, Nettie Slim, Helen Slim, Esther Bodie, Minnie Woody, and Rita Daye.

Benny is preceded in death by his son, Bobby Slim; brother, Sam Slim; and parents, Geebah and John Slim.

Pallbearers were Kevin Slim, Benny Slim Jr., Orlando Becenti, Archie Wells, Eliott Yazzie, and Alex Slim.

Honorary pallbearers were Leonard Slim, Jon Francisco, Daniel Slim, and Kenneth Slim.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

Billy Yonnie

HARDROCK, Ariz. — Funeral services for Billy Yonnie, 84, of Hardrock, Arizona, will be held Friday, May 13, at 11 a.m., at the Navajo Gospel Mission in Hardrock, with Jerry Yonnie officiating. Burial will follow in Hardrock.

Billy was born March 23, 1938, in Hardrock, into the Tsé deeshgizhnii (Rock Gap Clan), born for Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan). He passed away May 6, 2022, in Phoenix.

Billy attended Navajo Gospel Mission and Intermountain Indian School in Brigham City, Utah. He retired from BNSF Railway and worked in various trades such as carpentry and laborer jobs.

Billy was a horse trainer and rough stock rider. He enjoyed carpentry, rodeos and was an avid sports fan.

Billy is survived by his brother, Kee Yonnie; and sister, JoAnn Yonnie.

Billy is preceded in death by his father, Oscar Yonnie; mother, Mary Bah Goy Yonnie; brothers, Ross Yonnie Sr., Tommy Yonnie, Freddie Yonnie, and Thomas Yonnie; and sister, Jean Yonnie.

Pallbearers will be Sterling Begay, Daniel Yonnie, Carlos Nez, Ryan N., Lemuel Yonnie, and Levi Felix.

Honorary pallbearers will be Kee Yonnie, Bahe Yonnie, Andrew Begay, Wakely Yonnie, Donald Yonnie, Warren Yonnie, Daniel Kescole, Darnell Kescole, Dylan James, Wilbur Maho, Philip Yazzie, and Arlin Tootsie.

A reception will take place in Hardrock, following services.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Ardell L. Thomas

HOUCK, Ariz. — Graveside service for Ardell L. Thomas, 43, of Pine Springs, Arizona, will be held today, May 12, at 10 a.m. (DST), at the Houck community cemetery, in Houck, Arizona.

Ardell was born Aug. 25, 1978, in Gallup, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Tódík’ózhí (Salt Water Clan). He passed away May 3, 2022, in Mesa, Arizona.

Ardell attended Sanders Elementary School, Sanders-Valley High School and Wingate High School. He worked as a laborer for sheet metal roofing.

Ardell enjoyed running, playing basketball, traveling, hiking, bike riding, spending time with his nieces and nephews, attending the Professional Bull Riders event, and was a huge fan of Arizona State University.

Ardell is survived by his son, DeAndre Thomas; mother, Charlotte Thomas; brothers, Art Thomas Jr., Aaron Thomas, Arick Thomas, Arben Thomas, Arvin Thomas, and Arlando Thomas; sisters, Valerie Murphy, Arlene Yazzie, Arlinda Fatty, Arrinda Thomas, Armanda Thomas, and Ariana Thomas; and grandmother, Betty Wauneka.

Ardell is preceded in death by his father, Art Thomas Sr.; brother, Arlin Thomas; grandfather, Sam Wauneka Sr.; and grandparents, Joe Thomas and Yne’nabbe Balue.

Pallbearers will be Jared Logg, Kasey Nelson, McCartney Begaye, Mason Fatty, Kyle Fatty, and DeAndre Thomas.

Honorary pallbearers will be Arlando Thomas, Arben Thomas, Arvin Thomas, and Aydan Thomas.

Summit Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.

Venson E. Morgan

MICHAELS, Ariz. — Funeral services for Venson Edmond Morgan, 29, of St. Michaels, Arizona, were held May 6 at the Summit Funeral Home Chapel in St. Michaels. Interment followed in Ganado, Arizona.
Venson was born Jan. 29, 1993, in Phoenix, into the Naakai dine’é (Mexican Clan), born for Tódích’íi’nii (Bitter Water Clan). He passed away April 27, 2022, in Phoenix.

Venson attended Hunters Point Boarding School and Sunnyslope High School. He worked in California and Texas for IRCA, a moving company. He enjoyed playing basketball and listening to music.

Venson is survived by his son, Damarius Morgan; daughter, Jewel Carlene Morgan; parents, Dorie and Benson Morgan Sr.; brothers, Carlton Teller, Brian Tsosie, Benson Morgan Jr., Christopher Wauneka, and Donovan Wauneka; and sisters, Brittney Morgan, Courtney Morgan, Mellorie Morgan, Regina Morgan, Treva Morgan and Alvira Mitchell.

Venson is preceded in death by his aunt, Lavern Tsosie; uncles, Robert Morgan, Spencer Morgan, Edwin Morgan, and Norman Morgan; and grandparents, Louise Baker and Edmond Morgan.

Pallbearers were Benson Morgan Sr., Carlton Teller, Brian Tsosie, Christopher Wauneka, Donovan Wauneka, and Wilburn Tsosie.

Honorary pallbearers were Willard Tsosie and Courtney Morgan.

Summit Funeral Home was in charge of arrangements.

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