Lee Totus

December 22, 1934 - November 24, 2019

Our beloved Elder Lee “Te-xun-ashut” Totus, born 12/22/34, to Sophie Crow & Charley Totus, in Pendleton, OR, journeyed to join our Creator and those who went before him, at home on Sunday 11/24/19. He was an enrolled Umatilla member, half Umatilla and half Yakama. He attended school at Pendleton where he participated in sports such as baseball and skiing. He moved to his Yakama roots as a young adult and lived many years with his uncle Watson Totus. He worked at Harvey Aluminum plant at John Day; and as a federal employee of Wapato Irrigation Project, where he retired. He was a commercial fisherman, an avid sports fan, loved PBR, and made traditional dance feather outfits where he taught family to participate in native powwows. He and his wife and family traveled across the nation and Canada for powwows where they made many friends. He was a member of the White Swan Independent Shaker Church and was raised in the Washaat religion. He loved watching his grandkids play sports and dance at powwows. He united with his wife Iola in 1968 and last resided in White Swan. Lee was preceded in death by his parents Sophie and Charley; his sisters Minnie, Hazel, and Dorothy, and his brother Raymond; his daughter and son from Canada; his sons Charley, Elton, and Clifton; an infant daughter. Lee is survived by his loving companion caregiver wife, Iola; his son Randall (Rena) of Nespelem; eldest daughter from Canada; daughters Sarah and Leila of Toppenish; and who he shared his life with, his daughter Sharon (Pat); Selina (Steve); Aiyanna (William); sons Edward (Kathy); Anthony (Colleen); Robert; and he helped raise a granddaughter, Abigail (Louden) and grandson Randy (Ariane). He was a blessed grandfather to many grandchildren whom he cherished. Lee had a large extended family including in-laws who loved him as their own. Funeral dressing service is at 2:00 at Toppenish Colonial funeral home, taken to White Swan Independent Shaker Church for overnight Washaat, Shaker and open denomination services; and burial service on Wednesday 11/27 8:00 am and burial at Toppenish Creek Cemetery in White Swan.