Lavani Toki

Lavani Lataheanga Toki, 21, of Eagle Butte, passed away, Saturday, May 2, 2009 at her home.

Funeral services were held at 10:00 a.m. MDT, Monday, May 11, 2009 at the Eagle Butte Community Center and at 3:00 p.m. at Frazer Memorial Church, Red Scaffold with Deacon Ted Knife, Byron Buffalo and Helen Circle Eagle officiating. An all night wake service began at 7:00 p.m., Sunday, May 10, 2009 at the community center.

Lavani Lataheanga Toki was born on June 9, 1987 to Nai M. Toki and Inez Iron Hawk in Rapid City, SD. She has one brother, Laki Toki. She was raised in Rapid City, SD and attended Head Start, first through fourth grades at Knollwood Elementary and EB Burquist. In 1994 her family moved to Red Scaffold and she attended Takini School. Later that year, the family moved to Eagle Butte and Lavani attended school there for a short while. In 2000, she returned to Takini High School and graduated with honors as the salutatorian of her class.

While in school, she played volleyball and basketball. She also participated in the Lakota Knowledge Bowl and played Lakota hand games in competitions with other area schools. She participated in all the school activities and helped in whatever planning and preparation was needed to make sure everything turned out perfect. Her talent and performance in sports and activities during her high school years were highly thought of in all areas of her accomplished tasks.

She was there for her friends if they needed any kind of support. If they felt down she would talk to them making sure everything was alright. Her friends were number one to her. She thought a lot of her brother, Laki, and looked over him making sure he was safe all the time in whatever he was doing. Her cousins were all brothers and sisters to her; she was always making sure they were at her side. Whatever she did came from her heart, showing her respect and love for each and everyone. She will be greatly missed by all her friends and relatives, especially by her mom, dad and brother. She was very spoiled by her dad; she made sure that he gave her what she wanted.

She was employed at the Dairy Queen and in April she was hired as Assistant Manager of the Produce Department at the Lakota Thrifty Mart. She loved her job very much and was so proud to be working at LTM up until the time she entered the spirit world.

Lavani is survived by her dad, Nai Toki; mother, Inez Iron Hawk; brothers: Laki Toki, Danny (Jessica) Red Horse, Jr. and Riley S. Red Horse; sister, Echo Red Horse; maternal grandmothers: Laverna Long and Rose Iron Hawk; maternal grandfather, Bryan Charging Cloud; paternal grandfather, Mat Iron Hawk; paternal grandmother, Sylvia Blue Arm; uncles: Manny (Renee) Iron Hawk and Rodney (Tallie) Iron Hawk, Sr.; auntie, Bonita Iron Hawk; aunts: Bernadine (Percy) Dupris and Dollie Jo (Buddy) Knife; special niece, Danialle (Baby Deuce) Red Horse; special nephew, Memphis LaSalle; special grandson, Cruz Bruguier and all of her nephews, nieces and grandchildren.

She is preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Claude and Goldie Iron Hawk; sister, Denise Red Horse; aunt, Ione Butcher and niece, Constance Red Horse Aungie.

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

OFFICIANTS
Pastor Elton Yellow Boy
Deacon Ted Knife
Byron Buffalo
Helen Circle Eagle

SPECIAL SPEAKERS
Inu Inukihaangana
Tevita Ittaheau

CASKETBEARERS
Wyman Waters
Romona Dupris
Phil Knife
Angie Grissette
Randon Clown
D'Lani LeCompte
Kaleb Moran
Krystal Circle Eagle
Fine Inukihaangana
Krystan Circle Eagle
Tevita Loni
Morgan Ward

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS
All Friends, Relatives & Family
LTM Employees
Co-workers of Dairy Queen
Class of 2005 at Takini High School

MUSICIANS
Screaming Eagles Drum Group
All others are welcome