THURSTON COUNTY, NEBRASKA - JAMES RAVE/PEYOTE CEMETERY ====================================================================== NEGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing free information on the Internet data may be used by non-commercial entities as long as this message remains on all copied material. These electronic pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit or for presentation by other persons or organizations. Persons or organizations desiring to use this material for purposes other than stated above must obtain the written consent of the file contributor. This file was contributed for use in the NEGenWeb Archives by: Kecia Mapp [kecia@qmapp.com] RECORDED: From Cemetery Record Book Located at the City office in St.Paul - OCTOBER 2003 ************************************** NOTE: This is an incomplete survey of this cemetery. It is my intention to complete this survey by August 2004. As this is a work in progress, if anyone would like to add to my limited historical knowledge of this cemetery & Winnebago customs please contact me via e-mail. Driving Directions: Heading north on Interstate 77 toward Sioux City, IA. In the town of Winnebago turn left on D Avenue aka. Beck Street (next to Winnebago Wellness Center) travel about 0.6mi over the railroad tracks and Omaha Creek. Turn right on 29th Road and follow it to the fork. (Note: the Catholic Cemetery is located at the fork) Head left on C Avenue, then right on 28th Road. The Rave Cemetery is at the top of the hill on the right. Cemetery is visible from C Avenue and 28th Road. Contact: Kecia (Hisjara Gi-"Light Eyes") Mapp kecia@qmapp.com Historical Data: The cemetery sits atop a hill on five acres of land set-aside by the James Rave family for descendants use. The Rave family, notably John Rave, was the founder of the Native American Church. In the early 1900's, John and members of his family introduced the Bible, Christianity and the Peyote culture to the Winnebago people. Prior to 2001, the cemetery was known as the Peyote Cemetery or the Native American Church Cemetery. In 2002, the cemetery was officially renamed the "James Rave Cemetery". The cemetery is currently in fair condition and is under the jurisdiction of the Winnebago Wake & Burial (WW&B) established in 1975 by the tribe. In 1929, a tornado uprooted and toppled many headstones scattering them down into the timbers surrounding the cemetery. There is said to be several old headstones amongst the poison sumac/ivy north of the cemetery, but I am not willing to verify this info. During the depression the cemetery was vandalized as lead was used to seat the larger stones. Over the last 75 years, several stones have been lost due to neglect/vandalism. The cemetery was transcribed in the 1970's, hopefully by 2005 those names will be available, cross-referenced and added to this document. Family Recollections: Originally, the site was amongst a grove of trees, which was eventually removed to facilitate ease of maintenance. During the late 1800's-early 1900's when epidemics raged through the reservation many of the deceased were laid to rest above ground in small rectangular wooden houses. Family members would honor their dead by leaving offerings outside these structures. During the epidemic period every hilltop surrounding the current cemetery was beset with several of these burial structures. As a little girl, my mom thought these structures were rabbit houses as that's all she remembered resided in them. It is also noted that the oldest tombstones in the cemetery were most likely placed by non-Indians (possibly missionaries) as most Indians at that time could not read/write or afford such luxuries. Several of the newer headstones were uniquely created by descendants who inlaid the temporary WW&B metal markers in cement. A Cultural Note: In most cases, the sun dictates the position of the grave/headstone. The head of the deceased is buried facing east to the morning sun; and the feet, west to the setting sun. Headstones are placed at the foot of the deceased, when reading the stone those at rest are not "disturbed or dishonored". I was told the old burial ways included leaving a mound of dirt over the grave, reminiscent of the "eastern mound building societies"; ancestors of the Winnebago people. The Winnebago people celebrate and rejoice when one of their members passes into the spirit world. In my family, death is referred to as a return to the happy hunting grounds. A yearly memorial dinner to the deceased is also custom, but not required. Dedication: To all Winnebago Indians who wish to pursue their family history. ======================================================================================= Tombstone Inscriptions: Row: 1; Grave: 1 Headstone reads: (upright granite military marker; sunken but excellent condition) WILLARD C RAVE SI US NAVY WORLD WAR II 1926-1982 Note: encircled Christian cross emblem Row: 1; Grave: 2 Headstone reads: (flat granite marker; excellent condition) MOTHER JAN. 29, 1936 SEPT. 16, 1994 ANNA MAE POWERS Note: crossed feathers emblem; grave is overgrown & surrounded by landscape timber; WW&B metal marker present Row: 1; Grave: 3 Headstone reads: (flat marble military marker; excellent condition) CLIFFORD O RAVE PVT US MARINE CORPS KOREA JAN 12 1932 AUG 22 1975 Note: encircled Christian cross emblem Row: 1; Grave: 4 Headstone reads: (flat bronze military marker; sunken but excellent condition) ALAN ZEE RAVE PFC US MARINE CORPS KOREA NOV 12 1940 AUG 20 1979 Note: Christian cross emblem Row: 1; Grave: 5 Headstone reads: (flat bronze military marker; excellent condition) ELMER MORRIS RAVE PVT US MARINE CORPS KOREA FEB 26 1930 NOV 12 1981 Note: Christian cross emblem Row: 1; Grave: 6 Headstone reads: (flat granite marker; excellent condition) BELOVED SON AND BROTHER DALLAS RAVE APR. 10, 1938 JAN. 8, 1987 Note: teepee emblem Row: 1; Grave: 7 Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker; good condition) DENNIS D RAVE 1943 – 1997 Note: Burial Mound present Row: 1; Grave: 8 Headstone reads: (flat marble marker; sunken but excellent condition) PETER RAVE JR. JULY 10, 1904 JAN. 30, 1998 Note: Burial Mound present, teepee emblem, WW&B marker present Row: 1, Grave: 9 Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker; excellent condition) CURTIS L LOREA 1996-1998 Note: Burial Mound present Row: 1, Grave: 10 Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker; excellent condition) LUCY L RAVE 1906-2000 Note: Burial Mound present, Christian cross emblem Row: 1, Grave: 11 Headstone reads: (flat marble marker; sunken but excellent condition) DENA M. CONDECON AUG. 19, 1954 JAN. 12, 1999 Note: Burial Mound present, floral design at bottom of marker, WW&B marker present ……………………………………………………………………………………………… Row: 2, Grave: 1 Headstone reads: (upright sandstone marker; sunken & worn but good condition, loose from foundation) THOMAS BIG ELK Born Sep. 11, 1909 Died Dec. 18, 1909 Note: ____e mark at bottom of stone Row: 2, Grave: 2 Headstone reads: (upright sandstone marker, sunken & worn but good condition) REBECCA APR 17 1910 APR 19 1910 CARLEY Note: floral design at top of marker Row: 2, Grave: 3 Headstone reads: (flat granite marker; excellent condition) MOTHER VIVIAN R McKEE NOVEMBER 21, 1928 AUGUST 13, 1978 Note: praying hands with Christian cross emblem Row: 2, Grave: 4 Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker; excellent condition) RONALD D McKEE 1952-2003 Note: Burial Mound present, Christian cross emblem ………………………………………………………………………………………………… Row: 3, Grave: 1 Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker in concrete; sunken & in poor condition) MYRTIS D THOMAS 1921-1966 Note: bottom reads "PEARSON SERVICE", family created headstone Row: 3, Grave: 2 Headstone reads: (elaborate sandstone obelisk; broken & poor condition) FRANK EUING 1867-1914 Note: dove emblem Row: 3, Grave: 3 Headstone reads: (elaborate sandstone monument; loose base & leaning, poor condition) MAUD JOHNSON Wife of H BIG ELK 1890-1910 On back side: HENRY Note: Christian cross emblem Row: 3, Grave: 4 Headstone reads: (upright granite marker; good condition) SOPHIA FRENCH AUG. 8, 1890 AUG. 9, 1913 Blessed are thy that do his commandments Row: 3, Grave: 5 Headstone reads: (upright stone monument; broken but good condition) JOSEPHINE WALKER BORN DEC. 12, 1909 DIED OCT. 15, 1910 Note: sitting lamb figure on top of monument is missing head, leaf design at bottom Row: 3, Grave: 6 Headstone reads: (upright sandstone marker; leaning badly but good condition) GEORGE LITTLEWOLF Born Jan. 28, 1909 Died Nov. 21, 1909 Row: 3, Grave: 7 Headstone reads: (upright granite monument; leaning badly but good condition) Asleep in Jesus WILLIAM H. CLAY BORN JULY 26, 1910 DIED SEP. 7, 1910 CLAY Note: crown with Christian cross emblem on top of monument Row: 3, Grave: 8 Headstone reads: (upright sandstone monument; leaning & poor condition) JOSEPHINE CLAY APRIL 3 1909 MAY 1 1909 Note: sitting lamb with missing head, floral and crown emblems Row: 3, Grave: 9 Headstone reads: (upright stone monument; good condition) MRS. MARY CLAY DIED FEB 24 1915 AGED OVER 90 YEARS Christ is with her Note: curtain with clasped hands emblem ……………………………………………………………………………………………………… Row: 4, Grave: 1 Headstone reads: (flat granite marker; sunken but excellent condition-two names) RAVE SOPHIA F. DEC 21, 1914 MAY 27, 1983 HORACE W. MAR 19, 1904 MAY 23, 1982 Note: Christian cross emblem Row: 4, Grave: 2 Headstone reads: (flat granite marker; excellent condition) VIVIAN FRENCH RAVE JUNE 18, 1955 DEC 4, 1982 Note: grape leaves surrounding Christian cross emblem Row: 4, Grave: 3 Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker; excellent condition) HERMAN RAVE 1995-1998 Note: Burial Mound present Row: 4, Grave: 4 Headstone reads: (upright stone marker; fallen, unreadable & poor condition) WESLEY THUNDER BORN ??? 12, 1911 DIED ??? 19, 1913 Note: unique crown shaped monument Row: 4, Grave: 5 Headstone reads: (upright sandstone monument; good condition) VIOLA WHITE BORN DEC 25, 1913 DIED FEB 25, 1914 WHITE Note: sitting lamb figure on top of heart shaped stone with floral emblem Row: 4, Grave: 6 Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker; excellent condition) DWAYNE A DECORA SR 1930-2001 Note: elaborate arbor & flowerbed built around Burial Mound …………………………………………………………………………………………………… Row: 5, Grave: 1 Headstone reads: (upright sandstone obelisk; broken in several pieces; poor condition) SALLY B. RAVE 1863-1911 Note: Christian cross emblem at top, clasped hands emblem at middle Row: 5, Grave: 2 Headstone reads: (upright marble military marker; excellent condition) WILMOT A RAVE US ARMY WORLD WAR II MAR 3 1915 APR 4 1999 Note: slight Burial Mound present, WW&B metal marker present, teepee emblem at top of stone Row: 5, Grave: 3 Headstone reads: (upright sandstone monument; fallen in poor condition) CHARLIE GILBERT Born Apr. 26, 1866 Died Dec. 26, 1911 Row: 5, Grave: 4 Headstone reads: (flat granite marker; good condition) CURTIS P RAVE September 27, 1915 February 26, 1975 Note: floral design at top of stone Row: 5, Grave: 5 Headstone reads: (upright granite stone; excellent condition) Dad HENRY P. RAVE 1911-1984 Row: 5, Grave: 6 Headstone reads: (flat granite stone; excellent condition) In loving memory EVA RAVE INGVALDSON 1914-1995 Row: 5, Grave: 7 Headstone reads: (flat granite stone; excellent condition) ROSE K AYERS 1911-1981 ……………………………………………………………………………………………… The following are headstones that I have photographed at the cemetery, but have not yet surveyed by Row & Grave #. Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (Flat granite stone inlaid in cement; excellent condition-three names) THOMAS THEODORE SR 1905-1969 Our infant son IRA LAWRENCE MARY M. RENFER 1908-1979 Note: Surname surrounded by banner and floral swags Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat bronze military marker; excellent condition) ALONZO J THOMAS PFC US ARMY MAR 3 1933 AUG 1 2002 Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (upright granite monument & base; excellent condition) Beloved Husband & Father EVERETT L THOMAS Jan. 19, 1945 Sept. 11, 1966 Note: floral design bordering name & date Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat bronze military marker; excellent condition) DOROTHY THOMAS FREE A3C US AIR FORCE MAR 4 1936 NOV 3 1985 Note: Christian cross emblem Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat granite stone inlaid in cement; good condition) JAMES MICHAEL JOHNSON Son of LYNN & MARGUERITE MARCH 28, 1974 Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat granite stone; excellent condition) Beloved Mother EDNA THOMAS 1906-1967 Note: floral design at bottom corners, Christian cross emblem Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat granite military marker; excellent condition) LYMAN L LOWRY KANSAS PVT US ARMY WORLD WAR I JULY 4 1888 APRIL 7 1973 Note: encircled Christian cross emblem Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat granite stone; excellent condition) MAY R. LOWRY 1901-1969 Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat granite stone inlaid in cement; good condition) ROSE K. AYRES 1911-1981 Note: cement covered in moss Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker inlaid in cement; good condition) FRED RENFER 1870-1947 Note: wreath emblem at top; bottom reads "PEARSON FUNERAL HOME", family created headstone Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker inlaid in cement; good condition) MARGURITE RENFER 1878-1925 Note: wreath emblem at top; bottom reads "PEARSON FUNERAL HOME", family created headstone Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker inlaid in cement; good condition) LOUIS F RENFER 1915-1930 Note: wreath emblem at top; bottom reads "PEARSON FUNERAL HOME", family created headstone Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker inlaid in cement; good condition) OLIVER RENFER 1906-1966 Note: wreath emblem at top; bottom reads "PEARSON SERVICE", family created headstone Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (WW&B metal marker inlaid in cement; fair condition) MARY LAMERE No date listed Note: wreath emblem at top; bottom reads "PEARSON FUNERAL HOME", family created headstone Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat granite stone; excellent condition) In Loving Memory of JEAN ANISSA FOUNTAIN Oct. 16, 1968 Feb. 23, 1999 Note: floral design at upper corners Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (upright sandstone monument; worn & broken but good condition) JOHN RAVE 1856-1906 Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat bronze military marker inlaid in cement; excellent condition) HENRY T RAVE TEC 5 US ARMY WORLD WAR II JAN 20 1915 JAN 25 1993 Note: Christian cross emblem Row: , Grave: Headstone reads: (flat granite stone inlaid in cement; excellent condition) VELMA RAVE MONROE 1917-1990 Note: name/date surrounded by border; centered floral design at bottom