Velven Drew Snake

Velven Drew Snake passed away Nov. 18, 2009, in Lakeside. He was born Oct. 17, 1961, in Albert Lea, Minn. Velven was a veteran of the Armed Forces and a proud, traditional Native American. He loved to sing, dance and drum. He loved to collect his bikes. He loved to teach his heritage to anyone who cared to listen. And he loved his family passionately. He is survived by his mother, Alvina Weber; his children, Jeffrey Pierce-Metteer, 18; Saphire Snake, 14; and Xander Snake, 1; his sisters, Glenna Lowry and India Trainer; his brothers, Glen Lowry and Covey Lowry; and many other cherished loved ones. His funeral was in Winnebago, Neb., on Nov. 25. It was a traditional Ho-Chunk ceremony. He was laid to rest in the Winnebago Indian Cemetery in the Veteran Section. We are holding a memorial for friends and family who could not attend then, at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec. 11, at the Active Word Ministries, 5091 Highway 2 West, in Columbia Falls. Please mail any donations to the Snake family at 103 Ben Williams Lane, Lakeside, MT 59922. We ask that all flowers be sent to local care centers. Those who knew Velven will miss his jokes, kindness, teaching and love. And one day when we see him again we will get to hear him say, Story on the street is ... Nah, just kidding and Welcome home!