Lillian Thundercloud Nąą̨ hanąžįwį̨ga (Stands on a tree)
Lillian Thundercloud
Nąą̨ hanąžįwį̨ga (Stands on a tree)
Lillian Thundercloud “Nąą̨ hanąžįwį̨ga”- Stands on a tree (March 7, 1925- March 23, 2024) passed peacefully surrounded by loved ones at Agrace Hospice. Lillian was born at home in Black River Falls, WI, to Daniel (Mąąxioxogiwįix) Thundercloud and Lydia (Mąąxihoit’ąįga) Lowe Thundercloud.
Lillian attended Tomah Boarding School for first grade, and was so unhappy they sent her home to her family. Then she attended the Neillsville Indian School where she knew more of her extended family and she blossomed. Lillian graduated from Black River Falls High School, then went to Haskell College and earned an associate degree in business. She returned to the Mission where she and Ernie Garvin had two daughters.
Lillian eventually left the Indian Mission in Black River Falls in 1952 for employment at the Badger Ordinance in Baraboo, WI. She moved in with Arvina Lowe at the Indian Village in Wisconsin Dells and caught a bus daily to and from the Badger Ammunition Plant. When she went to visit Clifford and Della Lowe, she met Emerson. They married and started a life together in Baraboo, WI. They later moved to Lyndon Station, then to a farm in Wisconsin Dells and finally settled at Indian Heights.
Lillian held various jobs while she was raising her children. After her older two daughters convinced her to go to work, Lillian worked cleaning rooms during the summer months while they babysat. While her children were growing up, she held jobs at Coils as a community health representative, a nurse recruiter, substitute teacher assistant, cashier at the bingo hall and a driver at the tribal aging unit. Most recently, she helped with the Ho-Chunk Language Revitalization project. Lillian was an active Ho-Chunk community member and was on various committees and organizations.
Lillian will be remembered most for her generosity, kindness, friendliness and helping anyone who showed up at her door or anyone who needed it. She believed in education, had a good word to say about everyone and loved her family, community and the Ho-Chunk Nation.
Lillian is survived by her sister Hattie Walker; children Sam (Rosemary) and Twila Garvin; son-in-law Leonard Spiegler, Roger, Beth (James) Anacker, Mary (Mark) Eary, Gary (Patti) and Byron (Liz), Carey Walker, Thomas Walker (Wy) and Leah Ann Walker. She is further survived by her grandchildren Tim (Sarah) Decorah, Amy Jo DeLong, Lisa Rae DeLong (Ryan), Danielle DeLong, Roy, Rory and Ria Thundercloud; Micah, Nicole and Kate (Erika) Anacker, Hunter and Brandy Thundercloud-Eary, Ryan, Kyle (Melissa) and Brant Thundercloud, Damian and Byron Thundercloud, Matt and April Thundercloud; great-grandchildren Sean, Christopher, Sorora, Cyra, Lillian, Isabella, Dominick, Asia, Will, Emily, Sam, Jennifer, Andrew, Ben Adams, Benjamin Thundercloud, Paisley, Sophia, Aleida Joy, Mariah, Emilee, Karissa, Rachel, Abbie and Bailey; great-great -grandchildren Jesse Jr., Mila, Wade and Rory; nieces and nephews Dana, Tracy, Shelley, Kelley, Alec and Ayako.
Lillian was preceded in death by her parents; husband Emerson; siblings David, Lawrence, Frances Wentz, and Sam; daughters Renee Claire and Bridgadine Spiegler; grandson Stefan Eary; maternal grandparents George and Mariah Lowe; and paternal grandparents Mohica and Betsy Thunder.
The visitation will be on Wednesday, March 27, 2024, from 5 until 8 p.m., and Thursday, visitation will be held at the District One Community Center (7261 Warrior Ave., Black River Falls, WI 54615) from 10 to 11 a.m. and church service will follow from 11 a.m. until 12 p.m. There will be a luncheon at the D1CC after the burial.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to the United Church of Christ Indian Mission, W8879 Mission Road, Black River Falls, WI 54615, 715-284-2625.