Arnita Magdeline Shortbear-Swanson

Arnita Magdeline Shortbear-Swanson, 84, an enrolled member of the Crow Creek Tribe, passed away on Saturday, November 22, 2025, at Kaweah Health Medical Center in Visalia, California, surrounded by her family.

Funeral service will be 10:00 a.m., Friday, December 12, 2025, at Akicita Mato (Bear Soldier) Gymnasium in Fort Thompson. Burial will follow at St. Joseph’s Lakeview Cemetery in Fort Thompson. Wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Thursday, December 11, 2025, at the gymnasium. A procession to Fort Thompson will leave at 4:00 p.m., on Thursday from Luze Funeral Home in Highmore.

Arnita will be laid to rest with her children at St. Joseph’s Lakeview Cemetery in Fort Thompson, SD.

Arnita Magdeline Shortbear-Swanson was born September 14, 1941, to Jasper Shortbear and Cora Bad Horse at Crow Creek Agency Hospital in Fort Thompson, SD.

Arnita married Hugh H. Swanson in November 1967 and enjoyed traveling throughout the United States. Her husband died in 1981, and she found her companion, Harold Vondall, who kept her and her loving dog Chiquita company on their many travels.

Arnita has seven children: Tammy Padron, Robert Whitelight, Donita Smalling, Anthony LeVassur, Kelly Swanson, Jeffrey Swanson, and Cheri Cruz. Arnita loved spending time with her 16 grandchildren: Alisha, Nicholas, Leo Jr, Lanissa, Tanisha, Michaela, Cyrisha, Ricardo, Joseph, Janessa, Janeane, Nicholas, Aaron, Cheri, Jeremy, and Jason. Arnita has 24 great grandchildren and 3 great-great grandchildren.

Grandma Sioux, as so many called her, took Loraine (Pebby) Montgomery & Grace Numugrace, as her Hunka daughters, Julie Labrake as her granddaughter, and Jeff Lippencott as her grandson.

Throughout her Pow-wow travels, she made many friends, family, and countless people she loved dearly, many of whom she called her family! All are very important to her.

She was an advocate for Sobriety and traditional knowledge. She has been in sobriety since 1986 and counseled countless relatives into recovery. Through her recovery, she was a listening shoulder and helped anyway she could. Taking time to drive, call, hustle for those suffering with addiction to find a path to healing.

She enjoyed sharing our culture and traditions with all who would ask for her knowledge and support. She was gracious in never keeping her knowledge to herself.

She was a superstar; her role in the movie “Sky” with Norman Reedus was a highlight of her accomplishments, along with her anti-vaping commercial and advocacy during the opioid crisis to provide education on the dangers of opioids and vaping. Her work on World Peace and Prayer Day took her to Mexico City and on to meeting so many religious/traditional leaders that impacted her generosity and care for others.

She is survived by her daughters, Kelly Swanson and Cherie Cruz; her son, Jeffrey Swanson and wife, Anne Marie Swanson; Hunka daughters: Loraine and Grace; Hunka granddaughter, Julie Labrake; Hunka grandson, Jeff Lippencott; her sisters: Ramona Taylor and Bernetta Traversie; 16 grandchildren; 24 great grandchildren 3 great-great grandchildren; and countless nieces and nephews and extended family.

Preceded her in death: husband, Hugh Swanson; sons: Robert Whitelight and Anthony LeVassur; daughters: Tammy Padron and Donita Smalling; life partner, Harold Vondall; parents, Jasper Shortbear and Cora Bad Horse; sisters: Wanda (Mickey) Shortbear-Estes and Maria Sexton; brother, Leroy (Maka) Shortbear; many dearly loved nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and grandchildren, far too many to name.

Luze Funeral Home of Highmore has been entrusted with Arnita’s arrangements.