Josephine "JoJo" Cournoyer, 82, of Wagner

JoJo died Thursday, September 7, 2023 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner. Funeral services will be 1 PM, Tuesday, September 12, 2023 at the Marty Community Center in Marty. Burial is in St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery in Marty. Wake services will begin Sunday at the Community Center. Peters Funeral Home of Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Josephine was born October 20th, 1940 in Marty, South Dakota. She was the daughter of Harold and Hazel Cournoyer and was a proud member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe. She was the mother of five children, preceded in death by her son Barry Aquash and granddaughter Eva Aquash. She is survived by her children Marc Locklear (Jackie) of Wagner, SD, Brian Locklear (Rudine) of Pembroke, NC, Sheila Hunt (Vardell) of Pembroke, NC, and Stephen Locklear of Pembroke NC.

She is preceded in death by her sisters Juanita Stephens "Tubby" and Naoma Faye Cournoyer. She is survived by siblings Harold Cournoyer, Marlene Cournoyer, Walter Cournoyer, Thurman Cournoyer, Frank Cournoyer, Gloria Cournoyer, Beverly Wright, Debra Cournoyer and Florence Wright.

She went to school at Marty Indian School on the Yankton Sioux Reservation. After leaving the reservation, she met and married Charlie in Detroit, Michigan in the 1960's. She went with him North Carolina, making it her second home. Over the years she alternated living in South Dakota and North Carolina as her heart was torn between the two places. In the end, she wanted to be home and much to the dismay of her family in North Carolina, South Dakota won her back. She was well known for her sense of humor, often referred to herself as Raquel Welch. If you were in her presence you would surely be in for a good laugh. She loved to sing and dance, never failing to be the life of the party. She lived life with no regrets, recently said when reflecting on her life, "I've had a good time". What a legacy she will leave for others to follow. She would want us to keep laughing, keep dancing, and keep singing because where she is, she is doing the same.