Theodore Wayne Janis Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Theodore Wayne Janis (Ted), “Wanble Ska,” of Zillah, went home to our Creator, with his wife and two children by his side, after a long courageous battle with cancer on August 5, 2019. Ted was born December 24, 1951 to Curtis Janis and Bernice (DeSersa) Janis in Pine Ridge, SD. Ted was raised and educated on the Pine Ridge Reservation where he graduated from Oglala Community School in 1970. He was an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe. Ted married Maxine Brings Him Back in 1970. In 1977, Ted moved his family to the Yakima Valley where he began his life long career with the Yakama Nation Police Department. After raising their three sons, Ted and Maxine divorced but remained friends and began their new life paths. Ted met and married Janet Delphine Sumner and they brought two children into this world. Ted came from a family of Lakota warriors who believed in the military and service to our country, with direct ancestors serving in several major occupations throughout history. Ted carried on this pattern of service by dedicating his life to serving the community of the Yakama Nation as a police officer. Ted loved being a police officer, serving most of his years in the patrol division, working at night. He was fortunate enough to serve in the role of detective, sergeant, and finally a lieutenant. After nearly 35 years of dedicated service to the Yakama Nation, Ted retired as a lieutenant in June of 2013. Ted was very proud to see his two eldest sons, Craig and Chad, follow in his legacy, as they dedicated their careers to service of others through law enforcement. Craig began his career with the Yakama Nation Police Department proudly serving alongside his father, he is now a Special Agent with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Chad started at the Wapato Police Department, and now serves as a Lieutenant with the City of Yakima Police Department. Ted’s eldest grandson, Jonathon, is a police officer with the Isleta Pueblo Police Department in Albuquerque, NM. Ted’s youngest son, Braydan, is planning a career in law enforcement to continue to honor their dad’s legacy. Curtis was blessed with Ted’s caring spirit and handyman ability as he works as a construction worker. Chantz inherited her father’s compassion and ability to teach, she will honor her dad’s wishes for her by becoming an educator. Ted was quiet and humble in life, enjoying hunting, fishing, and spending time with his horses alongside his daughter, Chantz. In his later years, he was a dedicated guardian of the television, watching and re-watching his favorite television shows. Ted loved all his family immensely and protected them without hesitation. He was an amazing husband, father, papa, brother, friend, and protector. Heaven has truly gained an Angel. Ted is survived by his wife of 26 years, Janet (Sumner) Janis, their two children, Braydan Dax Janis and his daughter, and precious namesake, Chantz Tei W. Janis. He is also survived by his three sons from his first marriage: Craig (Nicole), Chad (Julia) and Curtis (Vanessa) Janis; adopted daughter, Amy Gallardo; grandchildren, Jonathan, Kristopher, Zachery, Ryker, MazzyRainn, Daisy, Carlos, Santana, Diego, “lil” Craig, Elijah, Maliyah, Chaytan, and one great grandson, Braxton; his sister, Beverly Wermy, brothers, Ronald and Franklin Janis; “hunka” (adopted) brother, David DeSersa and “hunka” sister, Ladine Hawk Wing-Carroll; sister in law, Carmen Rodriguez, nephew, Billy Joel Janis (Shawna), and niece, Angie Williams. Special people and relatives include: Kristie Rice-Janis, Angelique Ochoa, Pat and Shirley Littlefield, Jimmy Shike, Pete Pipe, the Tom and Darlene Shortbull family, the Morris and Arvine Brewer family, and all his Janis family on the Pine Ridge Reservation. Ted was preceded in death by his parents, Curtis and Bernice, grandparents: Francis and Cora Bird Necklace Janis, Alex DeSersa and Angeline Turning Holy Standing Elk; brother, William (Bill) Janis, and brother in law, Ronald Wermy. The Janis family would like to offer a special thanks to Dr. Don Kruse, Kathy Littlebull, and Melissa Rogers of YN Indian Health Service for the extraordinary care given above and beyond. Also, Eulices Figueroa, Colleen Roth, Leslie Stump, Anna and Leroy Senator, Socorro Jimenez, and Keith and Kelly Yamane, for the unconditional love and support shown to our family from the very beginning and throughout these difficult times. Services will be held at 11:00 am Friday, August 16, 2019, at Colonial Funeral Home in Toppenish with a luncheon to follow at the Yakama Nation Correctional Complex. TRIBAL 1242 ………. 10-7

Theodore Wayne Janis

December 24, 1951 - August 5, 2019

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Theodore Wayne Janis

December 24, 1951 - August 5, 2019

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