JoAnne Lorraine (Red Owl) Gilpin

JoAnne Lorraine (Red Owl) Gilpin, age 77 of Santee, NE passed away early Tuesday, November 25, 2025 at Avera Sacred Heart Hospital, Yankton, SD. Funeral services will be 1:00 PM, Saturday, November 29, 2025 at the Oyate Oyanke Community Center, Santee, NE. Burial will be in the Congregational Cemetery, Santee, NE. Visitations begin at 5:00 PM, Wednesday, November 26, 2025 at the Oyate Oyanke Community Center, Santee, NE and will continue until service time on Saturday. A Scripture service will be held each evening at 7:00 PM. The Opsahl-Kostel Funeral Home & Onsite Crematory, Yankton, SD assisting with the service details. Online condolences may be sent at: www.okfhc.com.

JoAnne was born on August 29th 1948 to Ambrose Red Owl Sr. and Lucille (Taylor) Red Owl in Winnebago, Nebraska.

JoAnne was born to a big blended family. In her younger years she attended school at Niobrara and was part of the Episcopal Church, Ladies Aid, etc. JoAnne had a strong faith in a higher power, family and her Dakota culture from which she was taught by her loving parents and grandparents.

In her early years, she married Thomas (Trooper) James and to this union, they were blessed with 5 children. Nadine, Deanna, Michelle, Teresa and Thomas (Trooper) James Jr.

In mid life she remarried and married Nathaniel Gilpin Sr. and to this union, were blessed with 3 children, Travis, Tiffany and Tyler.

JoAnne always had a passion to care for others. This was prevalent even in her younger years with her nieces and nephews. JoAnne had a heart of Gold and was always fun to be around and joke with.

As a lifetime resident of Santee, Nebraska, JoAnne showcased her talents of caring for others by working at the Santee Health Center for over 40 years. JoAnne served as a Community Health Representative, Emergency Medical Technician and Receptionist to name a few. JoAnne always had a healing spirit whether it was a simple joke or a smile as you came into the Santee Clinic. She always wanted to make sure the people around her were cared for, even if that meant a band-aid, a blood pressure or blood sugar check to a cup of coffee or something to eat.

JoAnne had many grandchildren and everyone would refer to her as “Grandma Jo”. Grandma Jo loved her grandchildren immensely and would do anything for them. JoAnne later became a special caregiver to great-granddaughter Briella Thomas. These two were like peas in a pod. JoAnne loved this little girl greatly and Briella loved her back if not more.

JoAnne is survived by her children Nadine (Virgil) LaPointe, Michelle (Eugene) Saul, Thomas Trooper (Deana) James, Travis Gilpin, Tiffany (Henry Denney) Gilpin, siblings, Diane (Don) LaPointe, Dan (Roxanne Whipple) Red Owl. Numerous Grandchildren great Grandchildren Nieces and Nephews.

JoAnne is proceeded in death by her parents Ambrose Red Owl Sr. and Lucille Taylor Red Owl, her siblings, Dale Tuttle Sr., Pete Tuttle, Donald Red Owl, Emily (Amy) Kaskaske, Ambrose (Sonny) Red Owl Jr., Nathaniel Gilpin, children Teresa, Deanna and Tyler, nephew Sonny Red Owl and niece Danielle Red Owl, granddaughter, Veronica Keeble, great granddaughter Kylee Saul.

JoAnne’s memory will always be loved and cherished by all.