Obituaries
Delphina “Dee” Broncho Martinez
FORT HALL — With profound sadness, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Delphina “Dee” Broncho Martinez, on September 5, 2025 at the age of 91.
She passed away peacefully at her home in Fort Hall, Idaho, surrounded by her loving family.
She was born in a moon house on the Fort Hall bottoms on January 18, 1934. The third of seven children to Alfred and Lizzie Marie Martin Broncho. Her siblings include Leona Houtz (naup), Vernetta (Eunie) Phears (naup), Albert Broncho (naup), Alberta Broncho (naup), Elaine Rosalez (naup), and Lyle Alton Broncho. She was a life-long resident of the Fort Hall Indian Reservation.
Dee was known for her loving character, kindnesses to all, and her profound strength and her passion for gardening. She could always be found outside tending to be beautiful flowers, trees well-maintained yard and tending to loved ones at the cemeteries. She also enjoyed her ceramics and embroidery along with crocheting. She kept mentally strong by doing her word search puzzles and visiting with others and speaking her Shoshoni and Bannock language.
She was a devoted mother to Janice Marie Denny Blackwolf, Georgie Tendoy, Mark Bradley Denny, Terry Criss Denny (naup), Sheldon D. Martinez (naup), Margarita “Maggie” Martinez (Earl Buckskin), and Thomas Martinez. Her son Chris Garza (adopted out) found her later in life. She raised her step children as her own, Adolfo, Wally, Eddie (Coke), and Daniel Martinez.
She was a cherished grandmother to, Georgette Running Eagle, Greg Stacy, Colin Stacey, Marcus Stacy, Rachelle Denny, Chase Marie Denny, Lake Speed Denny, David Sheldon Martinez, Anthony James Martinez, Cecyle Faye Perez, Leland “Duke” Martinez Perez.
Also, a treasured great grandmother to Saidee Dawn Jay, KarliAnne Marie Jay, Rosie Stacey, Lyncia Denny-Jay, Ma’afu Mata’uvave, Mariah Frances Matsaw and numerous others. She always made time for them and the simple joys in life.
She will be remembered for her unwavering love and the countess memories she created with her family. She was a strong, ambitious, agricultural worker and worked throughout her entire life. Along with agriculture she worked in the custodial field for many years.
She was preceded in death by her parents Alfred and Lizzie Marie Martin Broncho (naup), and five full siblings and three half siblings, Buster Jim (naup), Leonard Jim (naup) and Zelma Jim(naup), and her and sons Sheldon D. Martinez (naup), and Terry Criss Denny (naup). She is survived by Janice Marie Denny Blackwolf, Georgie Tendoy, Mark Bradley Denny, Margarita “Maggie” Martinez, Thomas Martinez and Chris Garza.
Services were at Wilks Funeral Home in Chubbuck, Idaho on Saturday, September 6, 2025 from 2-3 p.m. She was taken out to her daughter’s residence (Maggie Martinez) at 148 S. Hawthorne Road until the service on Monday, September 8, 2025. She was buried at Gibson Cemetery at 2 p.m.
Kevin Sam Yazzie
FORT HALL — Kevin Sam Yazzie, 48, of De Smet, Idaho, began his spiritual journey on Tuesday, August 26, 2025.
He was born on June 16, 1977, in Pocatello, Idaho, to Roy Yazzie Jr. and Violena Waterhouse. Kevin was raised by his maternal grandparents Rita Teesheep Poog and Rubin Waterhouse Poog.
Kevin was a member of the Shoshone Bannock Tribes of Fort Hall. Kevin was raised in the Fort Hall area. He attended school at Tyhee Elementary, Hawthorne Jr High, Highland High School, and graduated from Shoshone-Bannock High School.
In his younger years, Kevin enjoyed working on cars and playing basketball, and being outdoors. He enjoyed being with family, friends, and spending time with his children.
Kevin had various jobs as a laborer, carpenter and mechanic. He was employed with Count on it /Ace Drywall Company where he was a framer /Carpenter for the last 7 years.
Kevin was preceded in death by his paternal grandparents Roy Yazzie Sr and Collen Bell Yazzie , Maternal grandparents, Rubin Waterhouse-Poog and Rheta Teesheep-Poog and Violet Alvarez, Father Roy Yazzie Jr., Mother Violena Waterhouse , numerous uncles, aunts, and cousins.
Kevin is survived by his five daughters, Samantha Yazzie, Kiahla Yazzie (Devin Nagitsy), Kahlan Yazzie, Kolleen Yazzie, and Kaelonni Yazzie. His brothers, Lyle Yazzie and Ryan Yazzie (Julia), His sister Wendy Torrceillas, numerous nieces and nephews, and four grandsons, Kaeson Wade Yazzie, Cairo Kharter Yazzie, Eliyah Lee Yazzie, and Alize Elias Yazzie.
Viewing at Lyle Yazzie's residence, 65 West Agency, Fort Hall, Idaho, where family and friends attended a visitation on Thursday, August 28, 2025, at 10 a.m., until traditional burial services on Friday, August 29, 2025, at 1 p.m. He was laid to rest at the Cedar Cemetery, Fort Hall, Idaho.
Kandell Willis Ballard
FORT HALL — Kandell Willis Ballard, 46, joined our heavenly father on August 23, 2025.
He was born on June 30, 1979 to Wesley Ballard and Clarice Brown.
During his younger years he was raised by Whitney and Elaine McKean, then Alton Bear and Brennita First.
Kandell attended Tyhee Elementary, American Falls Elementary, Hawthorne Junior High and Sho-Ban High School.
Kandell was a can-do anything kind of guy with a big heart. He loved to draw, assemble jewelry boxes, gourd boxes. He loved going to powwows, handgames, playing cards, hunting, camping, fishing, swimming and BBQ with family and friends. He also loved watching and listening to Sundance songs.
Kandell will be sadly missed by all family and friends. He cracked a joke and make you smile and laugh. Kandell’s greatest joy was terrorizing his two sisters and his “uncles.”
He is survived by his sisters Clarissa Brown and Bonnie Ballard, brother Wayland Ballard. His sisters Brenda McKean, Wanda Devinney, Corinna First, Ilene Williams, Daphne Apodaca, Cideahzah Ramon; his brothers Brandon McKean, Samson Bear, Eric Wahtomy, Derrick Makes Him First, Nolan Yupe, Cheston Yupe, Ambrose Wahtomy, Gabe Wahtomy, Sonny Ballard, Thayne Wahtomy, Wendall Ballard, Byron Nipwater and Edgar Ponzo. Uncles: Alfred Wahtomy, Ernest Wahtomy, Newley Ridley, Aunts: Brennita First, Loretta Mosho, Velma Wahtomy, Vivian Wahtomy, Charlene Wahtomy, Marilyn Wahtomy, Joyce Wahtomy. Grandmothers: Leona Nagitsy and Ivora Hill, along with other numerous relations.
Kandell was preceded in death by his mother Clarice Brown Ballard, father Wesley Ballard, Maternal grandfather Sam Wahtomy and maternal grandmother Lillian Brown, Paternal grandparents Julius and Katie Hill Ballard. Uncles: Whitney McKean Jr., Adrian Wahtomy, Eddford Wahtomy, Wilford Ballard, Willard Ballard, Aunts: Caroline Sonnip, Brenna Brown, Georgina Wahtomy, Belle Ballard Wetchie, Brydie Ballard Ponzo, Beulah Ballard, Grandmothers Angeline Wagon, Vida Stump, Cousins: Alvin Bear, Wineva McKean and Tonea Ballard.
A viewing was at Sampson Bear’s residence 364 Reservation Road beginning Tuesday, August 26, 2025. Traditional burial was at 2 p.m. Friday, August 29, 2025, in the Bannock Creek Cemetery.
