Wanda Kay Sayers

Wanda Kay Sayers was a loving and devoted mother, wife, grandmother, daughter, sister, aunt, cousin, and a life-long advocate for the Native American community. She was born in Rapid City, South Dakota on June 21, 1977, and passed away on Sunday, May 7, 2023, at Essentia Health Miller Dwan in Duluth, Minnesota.

Wanda was one of the founding members of AICHO’s work, Dabinoo’igan and Mending the Sacred Hoop. In her work she advocated and fought for domestic violence victims and worked in the housing community. Wanda also did narrative voice work for the PBS show “Native Report”. Wanda’s advocacy for her community and her many accomplishments will never be forgotten. Wanda loved to spend her free time with her children, her husband, and her granddaughter Veda.

Wanda is preceded in death by many loved ones, including her Unci Margaret Creek LaClaire and Lala Vincent LaClaire; uncles, Edward LaClaire, Bernard LaClaire, Leroy LaClaire, Mike Condon, Melvin LaClaire, and Pierre LaClaire; aunts, Karen Condon and baby Alice LaClaire; brother, Jory Condon; cousins, Joy Condon, Dion Condon, William Brent LaClaire, Marsha LaClaire, Darrell LaClaire, and Jospehine LaClaire; nieces, Brandi Clown and Jorayna Condon; and nephew, baby Vincent Miller.

Wanda is survived by her mother, Annabelle LaClaire; husband, Michael Sayers Sr; children, Jodelle LaClaire (Julissa Parkhurst), Jocelyn Sayers (Samuel Liston), Jaylee Sayers, Michael Sayers Jr (Jon Tiessen), and Josephine Sayers; siblings, Renee LaClaire, Sharon Miller, Mike Miller, Carl LaClaire, Allene Stanley, and Heather LaClaire; grandchildren, Veda Liston, Nyleah Ojibway, and Ryder Dennis; nieces, Kaitlyn Miller, Taylor Clown, Wicahpi Miller, Kristan Miller/Dennis, Karyn Diver, Kinley Diver, Michelle Miller, and Marissa Miller; and nephews, Chantly Miller, Kenaien Diver, Kyle Diver, and Kiyone Littlewounded. 

Visitation will be held at 4:30 PM on Friday, May 19th at Sunrise Funeral Home, 4798 Miller Trunk Hwy, Hermantown, Minnesota.

“I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living, my baby you’ll be.”

Wanda will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

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