Dakota Rae Sangretta-Whitecloud

1947 - 2017

DAKOTA RAE SANGRETTA-WHITECLOUD

November 11, 1947 - August 10, 2017

Grand Ronde - Dakota Rae Sangretta-Whitecloud, 69, born November 11, 1947, crossed over August 10, 2017, after complications from surgery.

Dakota grew up primarily in the Willamette Valley, known then as Rose Mary Ames. She attended school in Broadacres and Salem, Oregon. She married Jose Trevino Jr., had three children, and later divorced. She raised her children, making every rented house or apartment her home with her "green thumb," adding plants and flowers to every yard. She spent time outdoors and loved to fish. In the mid 1980's, she moved the family to Roseburg, Oregon, where she built new relationships with family and friends. She attended Umpqua Community College, receiving her Associate's degree in Accounting, before returning to tribal homeland in Grand Ronde Oregon, where she lived until her passing.

An active, enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde, she was proud great-great-granddaughter to treaty signer and Kalapuya Chief Joseph Sangretta. She followed the powwow trail, sharing traditional knowledge, and making Native regalia and jewelry. She owned her own business, "Dakota's Designs." She was a woman with a warrior's spirit, and a fierce supporter of veterans. She worked for the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde from 1989 through retirement in 2011, but remained a very involved tribal member. Dakota was known for knowledge of tribal history and affairs, deep convictions, determination, tenacity, and loyalty. She was outspoken and passionate.

Family remembers her as a great cook: fried chicken, broccoli manicotti, cinnamon/sugar pie crust treats, macaroni salad, donuts and homemade bread among favorites. She loved Christmas and noble fir trees. She named her vehicles, and did just about anything her children asked of her. Countless hours were spent drinking coffee, playing games and cards, and teaching her kids to fish and swim. She loved hummingbirds, favorite colors lavender and turquoise and tending her flowers and plants. She loved mornings on the East side of her home in Grand Meadows, enjoying a cup of coffee, looking out over the meadow, watching the wildlife as the sun rose. She spoke to the animals as people and loved them as her children.

Dakota is preceded in death by many ancestors, beloved grandmother Theresa (Holmes) Zavodsky who raised her in early years, parents Kenneth Ames and Pearl McGee; sisters Sharon (Langley) Dixon, Loretta Morris, Violet Marie Quenelle, twin infant siblings; and daughter Cynthia Leann Trevino, Jr.-Williams. She is survived by her Jack Russell Terrier "Sassy", children Maria Christina Trevino-Jungers (Robert) and Jose Kenneth Trevino; nephew Isaiah Ryan Morris (Leticia Magana) and family; nieces Terry Bonham, Debbie Adams, Beverly Warren, and Savannah Ingram and their families; Lynn Kitchen and Dennis Kitchen (Lori). She is deeply missed, but she walks on, and is with us, in spirit.

Arrangements made through Bollman Funeral Home in Dallas, Oregon, and services will be held on Wednesday, August 30, 2017, at 1:00 pm at the Confederated Tribes of Grand Ronde Gymnasium, located at 9615 Grand Ronde Road, Grand Ronde OR, 97347. A meal will follow at the Elder Activities Center. www.dallastribute.com