Obituary for Eloise

Gwen Eloise Cortez Kaneshiro took flight from Hot Springs, South Dakota on her journey into the great unknown on March 11, 2024.  She was born May 17, 1945 in Greybull, Wyoming into a loving family as the second daughter of Frank and Grace Cortez.

Eloise loved horses and when she was young, the family was gifted an old horse named Star.  Star and Eloise bonded and spent many hours together riding through the beautiful country around Greybull.  A bantam rooster named Roosty was a special pet of hers.  Her love of animals was never ending.

The Big Horn Mountains where her father fished for trout was a favorite place.  It meant a family picnic or playing in the creek nearby.  She and her family spent many trips to Devil's Kitchen where they searched for artifacts and dinosaur gizzard stones.

Growing up, Eloise was an avid reader who was intellectually curious as well as a talented artist.  She loved learning about cultures and language and became fluent in German during high school.  She took a crash course in Spanish from her father before spending her sophomore year of high school as a Rotary Youth Exchange student at the American School Foundation, Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mexico.

After high school, she attended the University of Oklahoma before joining the United States Army and serving in the Army Security Agency's Tactical Training Center as the only female member of the Menehune Platoon.  It was at Ft. Devens where she met her husband Lloyd Kaneshiro.  After the military, they moved to Hilo, Hawaii where their son Brennan Kailani Kaneshiro was born.  They later divorced.

During her years in Hawaii, Eloise raised her son, made art, and worked for the American Lung Association and later for Hospice.  She attained degrees in elementary education at the University of Hawaii, Hilo, and Heritage University and then taught fifth grade at Waimea Elementary and later at Hilo Union until her retirement.  A highlight of her teaching years was a history lesson taught via an Inaugural Ball she threw for her fifth graders when President Obama was inaugurated.

In 2011, Eloise and her partner Will Ing moved back to the mainland and settled in Hot Springs to be near family.  It was here that Eloise and Will found and rescued a dog near death whom they named Inky - short for Inktomi, the Trickster.  Inky became loved by all who met him and supported Eloise through the loss of her partner Will.  Although he was later adopted by others, Inky always came back to visit Eloise and was with her on her last day.

She met her 'soul family' in Hot Springs through her art group and her family at Pine Ridge Reservation.  Her soul family, devoted friends, and eldest sister were with her on her final day while her younger sister joined via telephone.

Eloise was preceded in death by her parents Frank and Grace Cortez, her son Brennan Kai Kneshiro, and her life partner Will Ing.  She is survived by her sisters Frances Cortez Stokes (Jim Carton) of Hot Springs, sister Anita Cortez (Jonathan Holden) of Manhattan, Kansas, son Evans Flammond, Sr. (Holly Albers) of Pine Ridge Reservation, and special companion Inky, Hot Springs.

At her request no services are scheduled.  Memorials may be directed to Whiteclay Makerspace, or donor's choice in supporting art, culture, and feeding for native peoples.  Mitakuye Oyasin - "We are all related".