Josephine Halfred-Mendoza

Josephine Halfred-Mendoza, 31, of Maricopa, AZ and formerly of Ridgeview, SD passed away Sunday, February 15, 2015 at Chandler Regional Hospital in Chandler, AZ. 

Mass of Christian Burial was held at 10:30 a.m. MST Tuesday, February 24, 2015 at All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte with Father Dan Juelfs officiating. Burial followed at St. Basil’s Catholic Cemetery, Ridgeview, SD. A wake service was held at 7:00 p.m. Monday, February 23, 2015 at the church with visitation one hour prior to the service.  A procession formed at 4:00p.m., at the four mile juction.

Josephine Lehla Rose Halfred-Mendoza was born September 28, 1983 at Ft. Yates, ND to Cyntheia Fischer and the late Franklin D. (Jumbo) Halfred.  She attended Cheyenne Eagle Butte Elementary School and later transferred to Tiospaye Topa School in LaPlante, SD. 

Josi graduated from Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School in 2002.  Later, Josi attended Community College and received an Associate Degree in Health Information.  Josi was employed by Indian Health Service at the Santa Rosa Health Clinic in Santa Rosa, AZ as an Electronic Health Records Technician until she retired due to her health. She loved the challenge of her job as she was responsible for Electronic Health Records, third party billing, referring clients to the Benefits Coordinator to enroll for benefits, providing HIPPA information, and Advanced Directives. She mastered her skill sets of typing, filing, scanning, printing documents and pulling charts. 

Josi married Jordan Chase Mendoza at Eagle Butte on August 10, 2005.  To this union three children were born, Bobby in 2004 and twins, Franklin and Isabella, in 2009. Josi took great pride in being a mother to Bobby (her mini-me) and kept family and friends involved in their everyday lives through social media. 

While in high school Josi was very active.   Josi was crowned Miss Eagle Butte as Snow Queen, and participated in cheerleading and basketball.  Some of her favorite pastimes were watching movies, reading, attending concerts, singing, talking on the phone and staying connected with family and friends.  Josi enjoyed watching drag racing, which she learned from her step-father Jerry.  Josi’s favorite racer was Tony Schumacher, the army car driver, she received many pictures and autographs from him.

Josi is survived by her husband Chase Mendoza, Eagle Butte, SD, daughter Bobby, mother and step-father Cyntheia and Jerry Fischer and brother Michael John Halfred, all of Maricopa, AZ; biological parents Alice Martin of Angelton, TX and Ron McNiel of Ft. Yates, ND; sisters Demeka Norton, Joslyn Jackson, Shyla Village Center; brother Dustin Thompson; along with numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces and nephews.

Josi is preceded in death by her father Franklin (Jumbo) Halfred and children Franklin and Isabella. 

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Josephine’s arrangements.