Arlene Voice

Arlene Voice, 80, of Fort Thompson, journeyed to the spirit world Wednesday, April 3, 2013 at the Sanford Mid-Dakota Care Center in Chamberlain, five days after the passing of her brother, Rev. Everett Harrison.

Funeral services were held at 12:00 p.m., Monday, April 8, 2013 at the Crow Creek Tribal Hall in Fort Thompson.  Burial followed at the Harrison Family Cemetery, rural Fort Thompson. A two night wake services were held at 7:00 p.m., Saturday, April 6^th and Sunday, April 7^th at the Crow Creek Tribal Hall in Fort Thompson.

Arlene “Waka Win” Harrison Voice was born January 22, 1933 at home in Bad Nation to Andrew and Ida Turner Harrison.  On November 1, 1956 she was united in marriage to William “Jiggs” Voice Jr. and to this union 15 children were born.  Arlene served as a deacon in the Episcopal Church until her brother, Everett Harrison, went to the Theological Cook School in Tempe, Arizona where he became a Presbyterian Minister; she then joined him as an elder of the Presbyterian Church.  

Arlene received her teaching certificate from the University of South Dakota in Vermillion. Throughout her life, she worked as a head start teacher for many years, a dorm parent, foster parent and also worked at Lee’s Corner Convenience Store in her early years. She was involved with the summer food program, the green thumb program, a seamstress and a terrific homemaker.

She was a supporter of the Bad Nation Rodeo Club and loved attending the Sundance.  Her home was always filled with love and laughter. She welcomed everyone into her home and always had something for them to eat and coffee to drink.  Singing alto with the Interdenominational Singing group and being a traditional dancer was some of her pastime activities.

Blessed to have shared in her life are her sisters: Elizabeth “Libby” Day, Pauline Zephier, Alsephine Joseph and Lulu Fisherman; her brothers: Francis Knippling and Del Lecompte; her children: Mavis McGhee, Thomas Voice, Ted Voice, Teresa Voice, Rick Voice Sr, Natalie Voice, Willard Voice, Donna Voice, Orin Voice, William Voice III, Bruce (Shawna) Moss, Velda, George, DeAnna, Julie, Gina, Royce Howe; and 35 grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her husband, William “Jiggs” Voice; daughters: Geraldine McBride and Williamette “Tiny” Voice; sons: Ira W Voice, Baby Boy Voice, and Baby Boy His Law, sisters: Helena Spider and Violet Long Crow and brothers: Ray Harrison, Paul “Shay” Harrison, and Rev. Everett Harrison.