Noah Long's Obituary
Â"Never say good-bye youÂ'll forget me! Say  Happy Birthday!Â' because we will meet again.Â" Noah Long CraneNoah Long Crane, known as Â"TunkasilaÂ" or Â"GrandpaÂ" by many, was born in a teepee in Parmelee, South Dakota to Frederick and Nellie Tall Crane -- Long Crane. The sole family survivor of the flu epidemic of 1918, he was fostered to manhood by the Leader Charge family of Rosebud, South Dakota. As a young man he served in the Civilian Army Training Corp, a predecessor of the Army Reserve, at Fort Snelling, Minnesota during the summers in the l930s. He worked for the U.S. Government Civil Service in Montana and the Dakotas until he retired in 1977. Upon retirement he joined his children in Washington State.Noah Long Crane passed away peacefully at home with his family by his side. He was preceded in death by Rose, the mother of his four children, and Emaline, his second wife. He leaves many loved ones behind: his three daughters, Cora Smith, Belva or Â"BevÂ" Octuck (and her husband Tom), Theodora or Â"TeddyÂ" Peterson, and his son, Robert or Â"BobÂ" (and his wife Linda); his specially adopted sons, John Leddy and Rueben Twin; 16 grandchildren; 25 great grandchildren; and many dear friends in the Native American Community.As he walked the Red Road, , Noah was a respected elder, teacher and leader in the Native American Community until the day his last sun set. He touched the lives of many in all walks of life in a positive way, and he will be missed by all who knew him. The immediate family would like to thank Mike Lee and family for all of their support, Franciscan Hospice for their help during this time, and a special thanks to grandchildren Leah Walters and Gail Octuck Edenso for their vigilant care in their GrandpaÂ's last days on this earth.Viewing will be 11:00am Â- 9:00pm, Sun. Apr. 23 and Mon. Apr. 24, at Mountain View Funeral Home, 4100 Steilacoom Blvd SW, Tacoma. Â"BirthdayÂ" Celebration dinner will be held the next Saturday, April 29th, at Suquamish Tribal Center, Sandy Hook Road, Suquamish at 3:30 PM. In lieu of flowers, you are welcome to make donations to the Church of Indian Fellowship at P.O. Box 731894, Puyallup, WA 98373.A dedication by Patrick C Stevenson:The road you have traveled has been long.You have seen sights and wonders.You have lived life,Not just let it pass by.You have shared your life with manyAnd they have walked away richer.You are a strong warriorAnd a gentle man.You have seen marvels come to pass.You have seen old ways disappear.Some have brought you joyAnd others sadness.You have set others along their pathsShowing the way by example.A teacher to manyA friend to all.Now as you reach the end of this pathA new one lies before you.There is no fearAnd you embrace the future.Always the warrior.Always Lakota.
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