Thomas Yellow Wolf

New Town

Thomas A. Yellow Wolf (Speeding Buffalo in Arikara, and Buffalo Standing in Water, Hidatsa).

Tom was at the St. Raphael Nursing Home in Valley City, ND when he made his journey to heaven on December 29th.

Tom was born in Elbowoods, ND, to Margaret E. Starr and George Yellow Wolf. They lived in Garrison and Dickinson before moving to Washburn, ND, where he graduated from high school.

Tom was an active student in school by participating in chorus, band, football, baseball, track, and basketball. He was blessed with good teammates and remained in contact with them as long as he could.

He entered the army in October 1966, served in Germany, 1967, and Vietnam 1968-69. After returning home he attended the University of North Dakota-Williston -and completed his education at the University of Mary. He worked in private business and for tribal governments before entering the Indian Housing profession in the early 1990s and retired in April 2018.

He married Karen White Owl and they had one son, Thomas Yellow Wolf, Jr. Tom also enjoyed the children of his second family.

Tom liked to travel and was able to make it to or through most of the fifty states. He made many trips in his vehicle he named “The Green Hornet”. He always came back to ND to see his grandchildren and great-grandchildren who he treasured.

Tom enjoyed hunting and would take his brother-in-law and sister hunting and had many other trips with his close friends. He had a great laugh when he let his sister shoot at her first deer with his rifle and it knocked her backwards into the snow. He also enjoyed working on the ranch of Ted Danks, who he considered a brother. Tom’s good friend, Bill Nibbelnick, shared the following: “Tom helped so many families throughout the years making sure they had a safe and descent home to live in and raise their families”.

During the last five years of his health issues, he maintained contact with relatives and friends. We have the memory of talking or texting with Tom about the Vikings or college football games. Tom will be missed, as well as his sense of humor, by his relatives and friends.

Tom requested his sister follow his final wishes. He wanted the simple service that he arranged.

A short service of scattering of his ashes will be held on Monday, January 20, 2025, at 11:00 am at Scout Cemetery in White Shield, ND and 1:00 pm at Shell Creek Cemetery, New Town, ND. A Farewell and Going Home song will be provided by Tribal singers.

Tom is survived by his sister, Doreen Reinke, Fargo; nephews, Hunter Reinke, wife Jennifer, grandnephew’s Colton and Ridge, and grandniece Sierra, Fargo; and Ty Reinke, Aberdeen, SD. Grandchildren Adriana, Taylor, Hailey, and Anaya Yellow Wolf; great grandchildren Kayleigh Marie Swan, John Thomas Gibbs, and Ruby Ann Yellow Wolf. His stepchildren Sage Koch and and Shiela Netterville. Many relatives in the Yellow Wolf and Star families, very special friends, and work associates.

He is preceded in death by his father George Yellow Wolf, mother Margaret E. Starr, two baby brothers; son, Thomas Yellow Wolf, Jr. and brother-in-law, Max L. Reinke. Grandparents, uncles and aunts.

Published by The Minot Daily News, January 11, 2025.