Funeral Service for Cynthia Ann Starr, Maza To Win "Blue Iron Woman" 72, of Sisseton, South Dakota will be held on Wednesday, January 17, 2024, at 11:00 A.M. at the Buffalo Lake District Center, Eden, SD with CRE Gerald Heminger and Spiritual Leader Arnold Williams officiating, Drum Group will be Red Storm.  Pray Services will be held on Sunday, January 14th and Monday, January 15th and an all-night Wake on Tuesday, January 16th all starting at 7:00 P.M. at the Buffalo District Center, Eden, SD. Pall bearers will be Nathan Owen, Jaden White, Rider Dirtseller, Garrett White, Alcott Brant Jr., Jace Starr, Wambli Brant, Christian MacConnell, Norman Brant, Kiyanku HolyBull, Gary Brant, and Cody Toutges.   Honorary Pall bearers will be Marie Renville, Leanna Bernard, Linda Kriz, Marcella Haug, Dianne & Gabe Derosier, Lillian & Spencer Wanna, Charlene LaFontaine, Carole Iron Moccasin, Wendy Ross, Ramona St. John, Terry Ross, Sharon Nerison, Susie Kipp, THPO Board, Audrey & Delray German, OEP Board Members, Faith Finley, Pauline Kipp, Iris Keoke, Tamara St. John, Pte Cante Winyans, All Buffalo Lake Sundancers, Kit Fox Society, Dr. Beumer, CDP Hospital Staff, CDP Nursing Staff, Mni Wakan Oyate-Pte Cante Winyans, Prairie Lakes Hospice Staff, and SWO Elderly Board Members.  Interment will be in the Buffalo Lake Presbyterian Cemetery, Eden, SD.  Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.

Cynthia was born on October 18, 1951, to Norman Brant and Rose Blossom (Johnson) Brant. She grew up in Red Iron Lake, where she spent time helping to raise her younger brothers. She was baptized at the Buffalo Lake Presbyterian Church and was a lifelong member of the church. She attended school in Sisseton SD and eventually earned her GED. She moved to Minneapolis, Mn where she had her first-born son and then moved to Los Angeles and then eventually moved back home to Sisseton to help care for her mother. She met Arnold White Sr and was married on January 26, 1970. To this union, Arnold White Jr. and Andrea Rose was born. She met Clifford (Tuffy) MacConnell and Chad was brought into this world. She later met the love of her life, Robert Starr and was married on November 18, 1978. To this union, Yolanda, Robert Louis, and Brent were born. They had just celebrated 45 years of marriage. Cynthia had a huge heart and loved all children. She took care of many of her nieces and nephews. She helped to raise her grandchildren, especially Garrett, Jace and Mari Rose. Her favorite holiday was Christmas, and she would make it her mission to make sure all the kids at church got presents for Christmas. She also loved Halloween and dressing up for Dakota Connections costume contests. She had some crazy ones. Cynthia was always known and admired for her love of fashion and everywhere she went she was always very well dressed, from her hair to her makeup, down to her outfits and her very fashionable jackets. You probably never seen her with the same outfit or purse since she always had an outfit and purse for every occasion. She also really loved her jewelry and had so many pieces that she could wear a different piece every day. She loved Elvis and one of her very favorite memories was being able to visit Graceland in Memphis, TN. She got to tour Elvis's mansion and grounds and got to visit his gravesite. Cynthia also loved to travel and has gone to many states and landmarks. She loved traveling to powwows and camping out. Cynthia loved to bead, she made a lot of her own earrings and barrettes. She loved to sew, she made a lot of homemade blankets and dresses and made a few of the kids their powwow outfits. She made a lot of her own ribbon skirts and taught Mari Rose how to sew and make her own skirts. She loved to cook. She liked to cook big meals for lots of people. She managed the café at SWCC for five years. She made the best frybread and' the best potato salad". Her favorite past time was going to bingo (pre-pandemic) and playing slot machines. Anyone can find her at her favorite Sun and Moon machine or Keno machine. Cynthia was a member of the Pte Cante Win society, she was part of the first repatriation back in 1991 and was present for all the repatriations that occurred after. She was a long-time committee member of the OEP board, THPO and Elderly board. She devoted a lot of her time to making changes to the tribe and was a voice for the tribe's elderly. Cynthia was diagnosed with MDS (Myelodysplastic syndrome) in October 2023, which eventually developed into leukemia. It was a short battle, but she fought hard. She passed away January 11, 2024, with her loving family by her side. She will be very missed by everyone who knew her and loved her.

Cynthia is survived by her husband Robert Starr of Sisseton, SD; her children Yolanda Starr of Peever, SD, Arnold White Jr. of Agency Village, SD, Chad MacConnell of Rapid City, SD and Brent Starr of Sisseton, SD; a sister Wanda Johnson of Sisseton, SD and a brother Ronald Brant of Sisseton, SD, 15 grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

Cynthia was preceded in death by her parents Norman and Rose (Johnson) Brant; a daughter Andrea White, a son Robert Starr, grandson Landis Barse, one great granddaughter Giselle German; brothers Alcott Brant Sr., Gary Brant, Mike Brant, Stacy Brant; sisters Olivia Eatman, Inez Marks and Rita (Brant) Holybull.