Jessica Yapuncich

Jessica Costa Yapuncich, 77, of Wyola, passed away on December 10, 2025.

"Has Many Pretty Things" Baa' Ee'h Itchiikshee' Aa'hoo'sh was born August 18, 1948, in Crow Agency, daughter to Bernice Bull Weasel and Joseph Costa.

She was adopted by Dorothy and Milton Yellowmule, where the beginning of her work ethic started, waking up at 4 am to tend to cattle and housework before school. She was forever a horse rider, all over the hills. Jessica pursued her education at Riverside School in Oklahoma, along with her sister Helen Moccasin, where she met her lifelong friend whom she took in as a sister, Carrie Schuster. During her schooling, she was a majorette and paraded in front of crowds as well as played basketball and bowling, which she loved. She continued her higher education at Haskell University, where she majored in nursing.

Jessica worked at Community Health Representative (CHR), a position she held for over 40 years, helping so many people with dialysis and cancer treatments, facing harsh weather conditions starting as early as 4 am. Being so busy never stopped her from taking care of her family.

Tradition as well as family was very important to her; she was a Medicine Woman of Tobacco Society, and she honored the role fully during her title. She participated in hand games. She cut no corners on the Crow Way of Life for any reason. No one left her home hungry, and she was well known for her cooking. She beaded her family's regalia and was proud to bead her late brother Lucky's outfit. Jessica could slice and dry meat while visiting with those around her. Her dry meat, pemmican, and bread were always a request at celebrations. One of her biggest accomplishments in her traditional ways was being awarded a place in the Smithsonian Museum, where she has donated some regalia.

Jessica was a member of the Ties the Bundle clan and was a Greasy Mouth child.

Jessica married Orrie Plain Bull (deceased), and from that union, she bore three children: Orrie John Jr. (deceased at 10 months of age), Eric Sr., and Olivia.

Then, later, she married John Stephen "Steve" Yapuncich on April 28, 2007. The couple made their home in Wyola, which was a lifelong dream she had to always return to her childhood home. Steve and Jess (as he lovingly called her) had a wonderful life together, always ready to entertain guests anytime, any holiday, with her home-cooked meals made from scratch. Loving and supporting each other through everything they loved to do, such as hunting, hosting sweats, and raising grandchildren. She loved supporting Steve during his sundance ceremony, which is just one example of the respect they had for one another.

Preceding her in death were her parents, Bernice Bull Weasel and Joseph Costa. Adopted parents: Milton and Dorothy Yellowmule. Brothers: Victor Fire Bear, Arnold "Lucky" Coyote Runs, Robert, Arlee Stops Sisters: Jocelyn Costa, Deanna Stops, Violet Hugs, Verna Hugs-Rogers, Lowette Wallace, Margo Stops, Manuela Real Bird, Nelly, Veda, and Connie Moccasin Children: Orrie John Plain Bull Jr., and T'saya Yapuncich, Victor Jr., Nichole Costa, Lynette, Bronski, Arnold, Patrick, Roy, James Birdinground, Koren Diebert, Scott Brown, Cece Cole Wells

Survivors include her husband, Steve. Her children: Eric (Marina) Plain Bull, Olivia Plain Bull, Yasway Whitewolf, and the children she raised as her own, Zaiden Bowers and Zediah Enemy Hunter. Adopted children: Jason Kaline, Stephen Caplett Woodrow Sr., William "Buckshot" Springfield, and adopted dad Father Jim Antoine.

Her sisters: Naomi Ann Costa, Andrea Kay Costa, Helen Moccasin, Linda Bull Tail, Janice (Leo) Hudetz, Lucy and Bertha Gone, Janice Little Light, Carrie Schuster, Joyce Mocassin, Crissy Fairwell, Lorraine (Larry) Klompin, Rebecca and Kathleen Yapuncich, Marian Hodgdon, Ruby (David) Thigpen-Whitehurst, Elaine Seabolt, Carol Dube, Beldean Small, Clara Hugs, Carlotta Half, Sophia LeftHand, Patti Medicine Horse, and Trish Smart Enemy.

Brothers: Gordon Real Bird, Kenny Wyles, Bruce (Marge) Waldron, Wallace Badger Seabolt, Richard Botts, Johnny (Vicki) Chattin, George (Sonia), Victor (Kate) Yapuncich, Bradford (Loretta) Crooked Arm, Harold (Connie) Male Bear Jr., Elias (Theo), Leo T.(Tammy) Hugs, Greg (Dorcella) Half, Lannie Real Bird, Fred (Pam) and Jim (Carol) Yapuncich.

Nephews: Victor (Becky) Costa, Garret (Christine) Costa, Ralph Costa, Ezekial (Anisa) Coyote Runs, Arnold (Kasey) Coyote Runs, Jethro (Rose) Diebert, Dardan "Tink" Kobielusz, Patrick and Ashley Garner, Cameron Fire Bear, Neil Costa, William Springfield, Francis Springfield, Joshua Springfield, Ross Adney, and William Dube.

Nieces: Louisa Costa, Katie Campbell, Lisa (Tyler) Left Hand, Toni Ann Yarlott, Lanaya Costa, Krystal Fire Bear, Judy Wagner, Honey Hudetz, Brocade (Levi) Black Eagle, Elizabeth (Earl) Old Chief, Rita Rose (Kee), Jesse Adney, Shawn (Joe) Gibson, Natasha Bruckner, and Zechiah Bruckner.

Grandchildren: Laura (Jace) Plain Bull, Mayiki and Neveah Plain Bull, Eric Plain Bull Jr., Cameron, Uriah, Joshua Backer, Laetishis "Tay" Barber.

She had many grandchildren and great-grandchildren that she loved dearly.

Extended families include Coyote Runs, Costa, Fire Bear, Jefferson, Bull Weasel, Nomee, Big Lake, Round Face, Bear Cloud, Moccasin, Real Bird, Knowhisgun, Comes Up, Big Day, Hawk, Little Light, Bull Horse, Driftwood, Takes Enemy, Stops, Yellowmule, Old Bull, Bulltails, Blaines, Pretty Eagle descendant families, Yapuncich, Klompien, Adney, Yellowtail, Stewart, Turns Plenty, Gone, Smart Enemy, Goes Ahead, Springfield, Rides the Horse, and DeCrane.

A special thank you to Doctors Bella Gentry and Ashleigh Quanbeck of One Health Clinic and all the pharmacists at Big Horn Valley Pharmacy. Also, Doctors Megan Ratterman and Alison Dawson, and all the employees at Welch Cancer Center in Sheridan, WY, and Hospice Care at Crow Northern Cheyenne Hospital. They all took extra care of Jessica.