Oleta Valerie Wooden Knife was born to Ansel and Mary (Witt) Wooden Knife October 19, 1947, in a frame house in Corn Creek, South Dakota. She was delivered by her grandmother Olive Alice Wooden Knife. Oleta’s grandmother taught her in her early years of life. After that she attended St. Mary's Episcopal Church School in Springfield, South Dakota, which she needed to be able to learn to speak English. She graduated from there in May 1966.

Oleta and Rodney Mednansky were united in marriage July 25, 1966 in Pierre, South Dakota, and to this union three sons were born: Justin Rodney, Richard Lee, and Duane Edward.

Oleta started her employment journey with the White River School District working in the Follow Through Program. She attended Sinte Gleska University to further her education where she received her degree in business and graduated with honors.

Oleta and Rodney started their ranching business and continued to grow the business with their sons.

She was active in environmental concerns. Oleta’s Indian name is Oyate Awanyakapi Win, “woman who protects the people or watches over them”. One of the biggest concerns in her life was to protect the land of the Rosebud. Oleta, her friends, and neighbors fought hard to protect any land in the USA. She traveled all over the USA and Canada to help wherever she could. She was respected by so many that knew her.

Oleta was a person that made you feel welcomed in her home and never let you leave hungry. She was famous for her fried egg sandwiches, cheeseburgers, yellow cake with homemade chocolate frosting, and taco salad.

Survivors include three sons Justin (Dena), Richard (Pegi) and Duane from White River; six grandchildren: Bailey, Sage, ShaRissa, Ashton, Logan and Taylor Mednansky; four great-grandchildren Paisley and Tatum Leader Charge, Blake Mednansky, and Kody Miller; sisters: Bertha (LeRoy) Morrison, Mary Lou (Ken) Rider, and Ruth Wooden Knife; brothers: Ansel (Teresa), John (Kris), Erroll (Cindy), and Scott Wooden Knife; brother-in-law: Ed Burnette; sister-in-law Janice Ellis; and a host of other relatives and friends.

Oleta was preceded in death by her husband Rodney on January 13, 2022; her parents Ansel and Mary Wooden Knife; sisters: Shirley Winters, Erna Wooden Knife, Edna Wooden Knife, and Floy Drake; and her brother Harold Wooden Knife.

An all night wake begins 4 p.m. CDT Friday, August 11, and will continue until the funeral service which begins 11:00 a.m. CDT Saturday, August 12, all at the Swift Bear Community Center in White River.