Funeral Service for Barbara Alice (White) Mendoza, 69 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Saturday, October 30, 2010 at 10:00 AM at the Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD with Branch President Brayton and President Birkholz of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints officiating. Pianist will be Karen Whitney. Pallbearers will be Elias Mendoza, Russell Cuny, Ryan Cuny, Cameron Allen, Brandon George and Dillon George. Honorary Pallbearers will be all the Staff of Dakota Pride & Child Protection Program., Ron Hill, Evelyn Pilcher, Martha Mandan, Debbie Devine, Ted Burke, Richard Bird, Amy Crawford, Delphine Wanna, Janice Gill, Donna Sitake, Archie White, and Carrietta Greeley. Interment will be in the Sisseton Cemetery, Sisseton, SD. There will be a Wake Service on Friday, October 29, 2010 at 6:00 P.M. at the Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD and Saturday, one hour prior to the funeral service.
Barbara was born on April 30, 1941 to Donald Gill and Mary White. Barbara grew up and attended school at Enemy Swim and graduated from Sisseton High School. Barbara is admired for raising her four children as a single parent and continuing her education. Barbara received her degree in Sociology and graduated from Huron University in 1978. Barbara has dedicated her life to helping not only adults but children wit alcohol problems. Barbara worked for Dakota Pride Treatment Center 1978-1981, Tekakwitha Children's Home 1981-1986, Adolescent Treatment Center, Children Protection Program, Drug Eliminating Program and Retired from the Dakota Pride Treatment Center as a family counselor in 2006. She continued to do part time work with Dakota Pride with out-patient codependency and in the patient family day. Barbara was a very active member in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. She held various church callings throughout her life. Barbara promoted and lived an alcohol, tobacco and drug-free lifestyle. She was a positive role model in the community and was respected by the community and clients she has worked with. She liked to shop, help people and she taught Sunday school for twenty years. Barbara passed away at her home on October 26, 2010 after a lengthy illness.
Barbara is survived by four children, Juanita Mendoza of Aberdeen, SD, Elias Mendoza of Phoenix, AZ, Pamela Mendoza of Sisseton, SD and Deanna Allen of Avondale, AZ; one brother Archie White of Keshena, WI; four sisters, Amy Crawford of Agency Village, SD, Delphine Wanna and Janice Gill of Sisseton, SD and Donna Sitake of Mesa, AZ; eight grandchildren , Ryan Cuny, Russell Cuny, Brandon George, Dillon George, Danielle Allen, Cameron Allen, Raven Allen, and Jade Allen; and one great granddaughter, Samantha George.
Barbara was preceded in death by her parents Donald gill Sr. and Mary White DeCoteau, six brothers, Cyrus White, Francis Gill, Fredrick Gill, Gaylord Gill, Gilbert Gill, and Donald "Ezzie" Gill Jr.; and one sister, Marcella Gill.