Joyce Lee Bongo

Joyce Lee Bongo 37, of Wanblee, South Dakota started her journey on November 10, 2025 in Racine, Wisconsin. Joyce was born on March 2, 1988 in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Bonita Blue Legs. Later in life Joyce took Oliver Janis as her father.
Joyce was a strong Lakota Winyan with a generous and forgiving heart, with unwavering kindness. She was spunky, loved teasing and laughing. She loved helping and doing what she could even cleaning or cooking, at all the family gatherings.
"Joyce was a daughter, mother, sister, niece, aunt, grandmother, and friend to so many. Joyce will be remembered for her smile, her contagious laughter that put a smile on your face."
Joyce is survived by her sons, Jacob (Remii) Janis, Wanbli Janis, Valentino Brown, Cecil Bull Man Jr; her beautiful daughter, Deziray Bongo; her mother, Bonita Blue Legs; siblings, Roy Blue Legs, Wade Roubideau, Taylor Bongo, Jessica Black Hawk, and Trish Black Hawk; aunts, Tisavera (Jose) Baires, Charlotte Bad Cob, Mavis Wilcox, Gloria, Agnes, and JoAnn Randall, Martha (Chris) Davis; uncles, Marvis (Ella Rae) Bad Cob Sr, Samuel (Sandra) Pretty Bear Sr, Donroy Bad Cob, Ronald (Becky) Randall, Reynold and Edward Randall; cousins, Joyce has so many to mention by name, all who she loved, and all who loved her and will miss her immensely.
Joyce was preceded in death by her daughter, Jaden Bongo; stepfather, Oliver Janis; twin sisters, Jackelyn and Jackie Black Hawk; grandmothers, Ione Bad Cob, Florita Pumpkin Seed and Marie Randall; grandfather, Amil Blue Legs; cousin, Tucker Joe Randall; nephew, Akicita Rogers, nieces; Jackelyn Black Hawk and Anastasia Rogers.
Pallbearers will be Jacob Janis, Wanbli Janis, Roy Blue Legs, Treston Eagle Staff, Norman Rogers III, Marvis Bad Cob Jr, Matthew Pretty Bear, Taylor Bongo
Honorary pallbearers will be Reva High Horse & Family, High Horse Sundance Family, Sharon Hare, Sethrine High Horse & Family, Alonzo Standing Bear & Family, Lee Herrald, Alexine Chasing Hawk-Evans & Family, Ramona, Paula, and Pete Brown & Families, Black Crow Families, Helene Gaddie, Cecelia Farley, DeCory Relatives, Richard & Arvella Moves Camp & Family, Germaine Moves Camp & Family, Rede & Anita Brown & Family, Ernest Red Elk, Richard & Aggie Bald Eagle, April Janis, Wilbur White Mouse & Family, Frank Chasing Hawk & Family, Jenni Logan, Jenna Thomas & Family, Georgia & Thelma Zimiga, Lisa Grimes, Earlene Rooks & Family, Karen West, Ann Barnes, Patrick Eagle Staff, Mary Grimme-Fepps, Cecil Bull Man Sr, Sitting Up Family, Yankton Family, Ashley Family, and All Friends and Relatives.
Family of Joyce would like to give Thanks to the Racine Domestic Violence Team, Missing & Murdered Indigenous Women, the news outlets of Wisconsin and South Dakota that are bringing awareness to Joyce.
Wake Services: Two night wake services starting at 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the T.N.T. Center in Wanblee, South Dakota with evening services at 7:00 PM each night.
Funeral Services: 1:00 PM, December 01, 2025 at the T.N.T. Center in Wanblee, South Dakota
Officiating: Pastor Chris Garillo
Traditional Lakota Services: Mr. Richard Moves Camp and Mr. Russel Eagle Bear
Burial Services: Bad Cob Family Cemetery, Wanblee, South Dakota
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD