Walter "Joe" Brewer

Walter "Joe" Brewer, of Shakopee, Minnesota and a member of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, died on October 26, 2008 at St. Francis Regional Medical Center in Shakopee at 85 years young.

Funeral services are 2:30 PM, on Wednesday, October 29, 2008 at the Wintz & Ray Funeral Home in Yankton, South Dakota with Reverend Marlene Whiterabbit Helgemo officiating. Burial will be in the Yankton Cemetery with military honors provided by the Ernest-Bowyer VFW Post No. 791. Services were also held on Tuesday at the Tiowakan Spiritual Center at the Mdewakanton Sioux Community in Prior Lake, MN.

Joe was born on April 8, 1923 in Yankton, South Dakota to John Francis and Estella (Bails) Brewer. After serving his country in the Army, he lived and worked on his farm at Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Reservation since 1956. He was a member of the V.F.W. Post 4046 in Shakopee, and the V.F.W. and American Legion in Arizona. He enjoyed playing several musical instruments, as well as being a jack of all trades, including building his own home for his wife, Lois and six children. After raising his first family, he was remarried to his current wife, Doris Suvanto. They both enjoyed winters in Arizona, going to dances weekly, golfing and attending church services. He enjoyed the company of his 22 grandchildren and 50 great-grandchildren.

Walter will be deeply missed by his wife, Doris; daughter, Susan Totenhagen and her husband, Terry, of Shakopee, MN; sons, Marvin Brewer of Shakopee, MN, and William Brewer, Sr., of Shakopee, MN; sister, June Sousley of Versailles, Missouri; and all his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews.

Walter is preceded in death by his wife, Lois Brewer; parents; 7 brothers; 2 sisters; daughter, Linda "Brewer" Crosby; son, Joseph Brewer; daughter, Teresa Brewer; stepson, Randy Zerr; stepdaughter, Tammy Schroers; grandsons, Zachary "Brewer" Mahoney, and Richard Anglo; and great-granddaughter, Miakoda Brewer.

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