Add a Memory
Send Flowers
Make a Donation
Sunka Wakan Wastewinyan Gonzalez
Sunka Wakan Wastewinyan Gonzalez
Obituary
Guest Book
Sunka Gonzalez Obituary
This obituary was originally published in the Star Tribune.
View All Photos
Add Photos to Memorial
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Marisa Parker
October 3, 2008
Juanita and family,
I am so very sorry to hear about your loss(belatedly)! Wastewi was my best friend at South H.S. She was a great person inside and out, you raised a wonderful caring young woman and now she is an angel watching over all of us. I have lots and lots of pictures I would like to give to you. Please call me. (612)245-9253
Starri Hedges
September 27, 2008
I was one of Wastewin's high school teachers at Second Foundation School and am so sad and sorry to hear this news (belatedly). I will always remember her as a beautiful, shining, smart, free spirit and I thank the universe for allowing me to know her. Blessings from all of us at SFS.
celina jaeger
August 25, 2008
I used to go to school with Wastewi at South, and she was a wonderful person that was fun to be around. Everytime I saw her she had a smile on her face! Everyone who met her loved her! hMy thoughts and prayers go out to all of Wastewi's family! She will be missed by many!
Jeaneen Lone Hill
August 24, 2008
Juanita,
I am so sorry for your loss. Words cannot convey the feelings that I wish could comfort you at this time. She will remain in our hearts as a light with that smile and laugh that could make the world a better place. We love and miss you and your family.
How you can show support
Donate in Memory
Make a donation in memory of your loved one.
Add photos
Share their life with photo memories.
Plant trees
Honor them by planting trees in their memory.
Follow this page
Get email updates whenever changes are made.
Send flowers
Consider sending flowers.
Share this page
Invite other friends and family to visit the page.
August 23, 2008
Gail and Michael Otteson Goldberg
August 22, 2008
Dear Juanita and family, It is with heavy hearts that we make an entry into this book. Wastewin was a beautiful child who became a beautiful young woman and mother. You have many reasons to make you proud of the mark she made on this world. May her memory and work live on.
Love from Gail and Michael
Anthony Rominske
August 22, 2008
My condolences, I met Wastewinyan this past April at the United Nations and was deeply impressed by the strength and courage she displayed as a workshop panelist for the Peace Development Fund at the Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues. My heart goes out to her family. Peace
NaJia (REEMI) Perkins
August 21, 2008
Hi Juanita, I have not seen you in years but I remember Wastewi as a beautiful little girl. It seems she grew into a strong and beautiful woman. I am very sorry for your loss and will keep you and your family in my thoughts.
Carmen Abraham
August 20, 2008
Juanita, you probably don't remember me, but my name is Carmen Abraham, my sister Karen told me about your loss. I am really sorry to hear about your daughter, she was beautiful. May God be with you in your time of sorrow. I'll be thinking about you.
Joycelyn Shingobe
August 19, 2008
Juanita, stay as strong as you are. We all love you and ask Gitchimanidoo to watch over you and the family. Take care my friend!
Francisca Delgado
August 19, 2008
Juanita, your beautiful daughter will live in our hearts forever. Wastewin brought light where there was none, and I pray that we can remember how to do what she has taught us on our own.
Barbara and Bob Mayotte
August 19, 2008
Dear Juanita,
we knew and loved Washtewin ever since she was a tiny baby. She referred to our Denise as "Auntie". We watched her grow into a beautiful young woman who was an active teacher and role model.
Barbara and I express our deepest synpathy for your tragic loss. In every way and by everyone she will be greatly missed.
Sam & Adrienne Morris
August 19, 2008
Juanita-We are very sorry for your loss. Wastewinyan touched alot of people, may your memories bring comfort to you, your family and her friends. Rejoice knowing that she is with our Great Creator!
Our thoughts and prayers are with you. God Bless!
Esteban Smith
August 19, 2008
My thoughts and prayers go to Wastewi, her family, and her gorgeous little girl. She was a beautiful person, and will be missed much by her friends.
R.I.P.
Carrie Day
August 19, 2008
My Dearest Sister,
My heart aches for you and your family, I am so very sorry. We are never suppose to outlive our children, but the creator only takes the ones he needs right away. Your daughter was a beautiful soul and she will continue to live through you and her daughter. All my love and strength to you my friend.
Charlotte Corbine
August 19, 2008
To my dearest cousin Juanita and Family I will be praying for you I will miss Wastewin I remember her and grandma together. Wastewin always had a smiley face you raised her well. I wish I could be there with you and the others.
Debbie & Margie Little
August 19, 2008
To my cousin Juanita. We are so sorry in the loss of your beautiful
daughter. Our prayers are with you
and your granddaughter.remember
that Wastewinyan is with our grandmother in heaven and you know that Grandma Agnes, Grandma Cordelia and Grandpa Phillip are watching over her. Take care and remember that we are praying for you and your family.
Muriel Dickenson
August 19, 2008
Juanita, I too know the feel of your loss. There's nothing worse than loosing your child you gave life to. To watch them grown up to become beautiful young adults, as your child, she was a beautiful young women, in spirit and heart. You got to know she was a product of you, now is the time to find healing, you got to know that only time can heal you, nothing else. I only can say this from my experience of losing my son, Marlin. I know the great spirit will lead her to her relatives and friends and her journey will be safe. I will remember you and your family in my prayers.
Audra Bordeaux
August 19, 2008
As a mother, I am deeply sorry for your loss and my thoughts and prayers go out to you and your family & baby Juanita.
Jeanine (Jina) Downwind
August 19, 2008
Juanita & Family:
Juanita you have always been a role model and mentor to me, You forever taught me to share that gift with others. I met Wastewin a long - long time ago, and through the years her leadership skills, strong devotion to our community and young people shined brightly - she was wise beyond her 23 years.
I worked with her, laughed with her, we talked about kids, community, racism and growing up in South Minneapolis & about life, love and being Indian women in todays world- she was my friend.
She told me I was a mentor for her but she taught me far more then she could have ever realized.
She was a confidante, role model and mentor for my eldest daughter - that is a gift she gave me and provided to many other young people in this world.
She embodied the passion I have for young people being all the creator wished for them to be.
We had many plans and dreams for youth work and leadership in our community. She will continue to live on in the hearts and in the community that she cared so deeply for and I will miss her more then any words can ever express.
Jeanine Downwind.
Kimberly Tilsen-Brave Heart
August 19, 2008
Sitting here away from the tragedy but feeling the cut of the loss of Wastewin. Watching from afar the the beautiful woman and mother she had become. I am filled with deep sadness. Wastewin was filled with light and now she has become the light that fills our everyday lives. As we let go of her physical presence we can bask in the energy and gifts she gave us all. Her laughter that filled a room, her smile that brightened your day, and the warmth of her hugs. These are the memories that I will hold in my heart. Love, Blessings, and Prayers to all that loved you my beautiful sister and my friend. I will miss you more than I can even comprehend. Respectfully, Kim Tilsen-Brave Heart
Marvin Rodriguez
August 19, 2008
my prayers and thoughts are with her friends and family....its a tragic loss.god bless her soul.
August 19, 2008
Juanita...We are very sorry for the loss of your beautiful daughter. Our love and prayers are with you.
Clayton & Pam Rainbow
Spirit Lake Nation
Burton & Barbara Jackson
August 19, 2008
Juanita: We are sorry for the loss of your daughter. You and your family our in prayers. May the great spirit watch over you and your family. We love you and please take the time to be with your family. This is one of your strengths, your love for your family.
The Little Sisters of the Poor
August 19, 2008
Rosie- our prayers are with you and your family during this difficult time. May you feel our Creator's loving arms around you.
Shirley RedRoad
August 19, 2008
Cousin Juanita and family
We are very sorry for your loss you are in our thoughts and prayers.
Shirley and your uncle Pierre Culbertson
Karen (Birdie) GreyEyes
August 19, 2008
Juanita and family, what a beautiful girl! I am so sorry for your loss, my heart goes out to you. I'm thinking and praying for you.
Showing 1 - 27 of 27 results
Make a Donation
in Sunka Gonzalez's name
How to support Sunka's loved ones
Honor a beloved veteran with a special tribute of ‘Taps’ at the National WWI Memorial in Washington, D.C.
The nightly ceremony in Washington, D.C. will be dedicated in honor of your loved one on the day of your choosing.
Read more
Should I Send Sympathy Flowers?
What kind of arrangement is appropriate, where should you send it, and when should you send an alternative?
Read more
What Should I Write in a Sympathy Card?
We'll help you find the right words to comfort your family member or loved one during this difficult time.
Read moreResources to help you cope with loss
Estate Settlement Guide
If you’re in charge of handling the affairs for a recently deceased loved one, this guide offers a helpful checklist.
Read more
Obituaries, grief & privacy: Legacy’s news editor on NPR podcast
Legacy's Linnea Crowther discusses how families talk about causes of death in the obituaries they write.
Read more
The Five Stages of Grief
They're not a map to follow, but simply a description of what people commonly feel.
Read moreWays to honor Sunka Gonzalez's life and legacy
Obituary Examples
You may find these well-written obituary examples helpful as you write about your own family.
Read more
Obituary Templates – Customizable Examples and Samples
These free blank templates make writing an obituary faster and easier.
Read more
How Do I Write a Eulogy?
Some basic help and starters when you have to write a tribute to someone you love.
Read more
Sponsored