Myra Lee

Myra Lee, age 87, of LaPlant, passed away Friday, August 27, 2021, at Bethesda Home, Webster.

Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MDT, Tuesday, September 7, 2021 at Church of God, LaPlant. Burial will follow in the Congregational Cemetery, LaPlant. A procession will be at 8:30 a.m., from the hill east of LaPlant.

Myra E. Tin Cup was born on August 5, 1934 at Old Cheyenne Agency, SD to Glenn and Bernice (Yellow Horse) Tin Cup. She received her education at St. Joseph Indian School and later completed her G.E.D.

Myra was united in marriage to Francis P. Lee early in life. To this union nine children were born: Francis Jr., Myrlin, Arlen, Glenn, Mollie, Lonnie, Lola, Kee and Tommy. They made their home in LaPlant where they raised their children.

Myra was a MCH-Maternal Child Health Aide before she became a CHR-Community Health Representative for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe for 33 years, starting in 1974 and retiring in 2007. In 1972 prior to her employment as MCH/CHR she delivered seven babies. Myra was dedicated to her job and would travel in extreme winter weather conditions to get her patients to the hospital.

She received numerous awards which are as follows: President Local Association Virgin Creek YMCA 1961, Pierre Rural Area Health Education Center 1984, Alcohol and Drug Program 1985, Indian Health Service June 11 & 25, 1986, The University of Oklahoma National CHR Conference 1988, Cheyenne River Community College 1988 & 1989, Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Health 1989, Special Recognition by the CRST 1989, CRST Health Department 1990, The Republican Presidential Task Force 1990, CEB Jr. High Parent’s Night 1990, CRST JTPA 1991, CRST Alcoholism Program, Service Award CRST 1980, IHS CHR Refresher Course 1993, Certificate of Participation  IHS 1995, FBHC Certificate of Participation 1995, CRST 18 years of loyal service 1977-1995, IHS CHR Refresher Course 1996, CASAA 1997, Years of Service Award 20 years Aberdeen Area CHR Association 197, Certificate of Appreciation Tribal Health 1997, EBCCDT 1997, CRST Tribal Health Certificate of Participation 1998, Three Feathers Associates 1998, Tribal Wellness Center 1999, CRST Diabetes Prevention 1999, CR Head Start program certificate of Training 2000, Aberdeen Area IHS Office of Environmental Health 2000, Youth Diabetes Prevention 2000, CRST Certificate of Special Recognition 2000, MCH Certificate 2001, CRST Counseling Services 2001, CRST Tribal Health 2001, IHS Ambulance Service Eagle Butte 2001, CR Community Technology Center 2002, Tribal MCH Program 2001, Infant & Toddler Training Program 2002,CRST Tribal Health Department/Mental Health Counseling Services 2002, CRST Diabetes Program 2003, IHS Information Systems Security Training 2003, Using Loving Support 2003, CRST Certificate of Special Recognition 2005, YMCA Distinguished Volunteer Award 2005, CRHA Tenant Appreciation Award 2006, CRST proclaims December 14, 2007 Myra Lee Day, NAIWA Inter-Tribal Communications 2009 North Central Region, United Blood Services LifeGiver (Blood Donor) & OLC Preserver of the Lakota Language 2015.

Myra was a woman of faith, giving of herself and time to her church, originally the Virgin  Creek Congregational Church, where all her children were baptized. She showed a strong work ethic and gave freely of her time to her community for many years.

In 2004 she took in her granddaughter Lakita when she was three years old and raised her in LaPlant until she was 19 years old when Lakita moved out. She taught Lakita many things but also spoiled her. She took Lakita to church with her every Sunday. Myra enjoyed watching movies and eating at Dairy Queen. She encouraged Lakita to go to school, make friends, dress up, sing, dance, play piano and guitar and so much more. Lakita was her world.

During the summer she looked forward to Simply Smiles coming back and attending all the dinners and events they had every week. Special thanks to Kerri Colombo, Bryan Nurnberger and Kristen Graves who she talked about the most.

Myra is survived by her children: Arlen, Glenn (Webster), Mollie, Lonnie (White River), Lola, and Kee; adopted daughter, Yolanda Waloke; adopted son, Owen Tin Cup; grandchildren: Lakita Howard, Laurent Howard, Kyle Lee, Pricilla Pretty Weasel, Kirsten Pretty Weasel, Tommie Hill, Kelcie Hawk, Craig Lee, Keisha Lee, Delory Lee, Sami Starr, Tina Rousseau, Tyler Lee, Shania Lee, Ivis Lee, Isaiah Lee, Sharon Lee, Lonnie Lee Jr., Ashley Lee, Thomas Lee, and numerous great grandchildren whom she loved with all her heart.

She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Francis P. Lee; children: Francis Lee, Jr., Myrlin F. Lee and Tommy C. Lee; and adopted son, Kenneth Counting.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Myra’s arrangements.