Joann lived in Butte, Montana with her husband Richard Puckett since they married October 12th 2005. She attended Rutgers University and Montana Tech University. Unfortunately Joann Yelloweyes Puckett passed away as a victim of a violent crime against Native American women in Montana. She was admitted to St. James Hospital with a traumatic brain injury and passed away as a result of complications resulting from this injury on January 17th 2021. Joann loved Contemporary Christian music, also Joann enjoyed outdoor activities; picnics, fishing, and tending horses. She also enjoyed cooking, and watching sports with her husband, and visiting with family especially in the mountains around Butte where she lived for fifteen years.
Joann was selected for all-state track and field team at St. Labre. She was also active in track and field at Rutgers University. Along with track and field, Joann was a competitive basketball player and student of Tae Kwando in Joliet, Illinois achieving her brown belt.
Joann had a passion and significant skill in illustration, writing, and sewing. She pursued the things she found passion in, pushing herself to the fullest in every way. She was ambitious, creative, loving, fun and one of the most kind-hearted individual one would have the pleasure of knowing. She loved her family dearly, and would often share beautiful stories of her experiences in life. Her perseverance was nothing short of admiral, and did not go unnoticed by those who were around her. She loved to laugh and smile.
She is survived by her loving husband Richard Puckett, and her two step-children A.J. Puckett and Aquene Hernandez. Her sons, Alexander and Nicholas YellowEyes, granddaughters Caydence and Emery. Her sisters Deloris Yelloweyes Morgan, and Jeanette Yelloweyes Stetler. Nieces and nephews Mina Seminole, Vicky, Leon Don; Ambrose, Martin, Rachel, Tia, Ester, Sissy Carlson, Holly Bixbi, Joe Steele, Dan Carlson, Sonny, Alisha Pryor, Margaret Jean, Ryan and Debbie Two Two from Butte, Headswift, LaRance, Spotted Elk, Foxes, Bahrs, Bighead, Whitedirt, Old Elk, Medicine Top, and many other relatives. Too numerous relatives to mention, sorry if we have forgotten you, our family is large.
She was preceded in death by her sisters Mary Jane Yelloweyes Seminole, Susie Yelloweyes Carlson, Erma Jean Schuessler, and Laura Yelloweyes Bryan. Her brothers David Yelloweyes, Christopher LaRance, George Yelloweyes, Andy Yelloweyes, and Gilbert YellowEyes.
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday January 26, 2021
Yelloweyes Family Cemetery
Ashland, Montana 59003
Service Schedule
Graveside Service
11:00 AM
Tuesday January 26, 2021
Yelloweyes Family Cemetery
Ashland, Montana 59003
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Mona Jean Carlson Williams says
I’m sorry to hear about your loss of Joann. I’m thinking about you, her family. I know it is a difficult time for you all.
Mona Jean Carlson Williams says
Mona Jean Carlson Williams says
I’m sorry to hear about your loss of Joann. I’m thinking about you, her family. I know it is a difficult time for you all.
Geri Small says
HEARTBREAKING😥Fly to the ANGELS my BEAUTIFUL Friend❤
Bill Bowman says
I knew Joann when we both attended Livingston College at Rutgers University; in fact, she was one of the first people I met during the freshman orientation weekend. I remember when she told me her name, Little Deer, but that she liked to call herself Running Deer, because of her love for track.
I remember Joann as always smiling, always laughing, and proud of her heritage. She was a good friend; I was an aspiring musician then, and I still have the beaded … well, I don’t quite remember what it’s called, but she made it to hang from my flute.
My thoughts are with her family and friends, may her memory always be a blessing.
Anji Foster says
I’ve been trying to find Joann. We were college friends at Rutgers. I was godmother to the twins until she moved to California. I’m in shock. My condolences to her family. I hope Nicholas and Alexander are doing well.
Jody-Lynn (Turton) Reicher says
Here it is February 6th, 2023 and I had been thinking about Joanne. I was extremely saddened to see she’d passed. Her and I were on the same high school crosscrountry team. We ran together. I adored her. I was a sophmore as she was a senior, she was in my brother’s graduating class. Joanne always made me feel good about myself; which was at a time in my life when there was much sadness. Joanne came back and visited me in her first year at Rutgers December 1978. She taught me wrestling moves for self-defense that she’d learned at a Rutgers course she was taking at the time. Joanne is mentioned in a book I wrote about gratefulness. I am at a loss; because she to me was the kind of person who should never die. She was perpetually optistic and extremely kind.
Janet Anders Himstead says
I am saddened to hear this news. Joanne and I were in high school together back in Demarest. My deepest sympathies for her husband and family. I am disgusted by her unnecessary death. How can this still be happening?
Barbara Muller Torrey says
I was so saddened to hear the news. I remember Joanne so well from school. May you fly high my dear friend.