LaVonne “Peps” (Columbus) Johnson, or Pte Numpa Win “Two Buffalo Woman”, age 75 of the Lower Sioux Community, peacefully journeyed to the Spirit World on Friday, May 3, 2024 at Cedar Heart Home in Franklin. Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 a.m. Wednesday, May 8, 2024 at Cansayapi Rec Center on the Lower Sioux. An all-night wake will begin at 4:00 p.m. Tuesday, May 7, 2024 at Cansayapi Rec Center on the Lower Sioux, and continue all night until the time of services on Wednesday. Burial will be in the St. Cornelia’s Cemetery on the Lower Sioux. Stephens Funeral Service – Redwood Valley Funeral Home is assisting the family with arrangements.
LaVonne “Peps” (Columbus) Johnson, or Pte Numpa Win “Two Buffalo Woman” was born August 22, 1948 in Pipestone, Minnesota to Thomas and Iola (Mireau) Columbus. She was baptized and confirmed at St. Cornelia’s Episcopal Church/Bishop Whipple Mission on the Lower Sioux Community. She attended school at Bishop Whipple, St. Mary’s Boarding School in South Dakota, and Redwood Falls. Peps was united in marriage to Chuck Peterson. She later met Dean Young and was blessed with two children, Dean and Regina. She later married Dan Swenson, and was blessed with two sons, Aaron and Willis. Peps found love again, and was united in marriage to Steve Johnson in 2020. She worked as a treatment tech at Woniya Kini, and also worked as a bail bondswoman. Peps participated in an experimental diabetes treatment program through the U of M, where she was featured in a medical journal for Native American women beating diabetes. She was an Elder in the community, and she was very involved in all programs. For over 35 years, she was involved in the Bishop Whipple Mission and St. Cornelia’s Episcopal Church, which was very important to her. Peps loved to dance and was a great cook. She was a talented artist and had an eye for design. She made many pieces of pottery and could easily hand draw geometric designs for star quilts. Peps’ welcoming smile will always be remembered.
Peps is survived by her husband, Steve Johnson of the Lower Sioux; children: Regina Stacy, Dean “Doc” Peterson, and Aaron Swenson all of the Lower Sioux; step children: Paul, Becky, Sammy and Nicole; grandchildren: Americis, Velecia, Xavia, Marquese, William, Dean, Chad, Arianna; siblings: Lillian “Tilly” Wilson, Marilyn “Dixie” HisDay, Vincent “Yuker” Columbus, Christopher “Gus” Columbus, Melissa (Chris) Chee, Ernie Renden; and many nieces, nephews, other relatives and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband Dan Swenson, son Willis, and many brothers and sisters.
