Todd Henry Waltemath

Todd Henry Waltemath

April 30, 1964 – March 1, 2025

Todd Henry Waltemath, born April 30, 1964, in North Platte, Nebraska, crossed over to the spirit world Saturday morning, March 1, 2025. Todd was a loving father to his beautiful daughter, (Elizabeth) Hannah Waltemath, 18. Hannah took this photo of her father on their last trip together to Grand Marais, MN, and Canada where they would spend many hours together building “rock stacks” on the shores of Lake Superior and mining for crystals. Hannah and her dad shared a love of Star Wars and would always be the first in line to buy tickets to the latest movie. Hannah and her dad worked together on designing a treehouse. Together with the help of family and friends, the octagonal treehouse was built for his daughter. Hannah will always be Daddy’s girl. She will miss him more than words can say.

His Sister Susie Dutcher recalls, “Because I was so much older than Todd (13 years) we had a different kind of childhood relationship. He was 9 when I got married and served as an altar boy. He came to visit me several times in places I lived. When Todd was 11 he came to Fort Huachuca Arizona and several years later he came to Germany where we were stationed. He was determined to get his nephew Joe to walk while in Germany and he did. Todd was closer in age to my sons than to me and they shared music and other interests. I was happy to let him take them to any music venue.”

Todd graduated with a BS from Nebraska Methodist College in 1994 and a MS in Counseling from the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 2000. Todd was the Director of Behavioral Health Services at the Ponca Tribe of Nebraska 2000 to 2006. As a licensed mental health therapist and drug and alcohol counselor (LMHP, CADC) he held many positions including Richard Young, St. Joseph Hospital, Catholic Charities, Journeys, UNO Counseling Office, Siena Francis House, private practice, and his last position at Immanuel Hospital for emergency adolescent services.

Todd found recovery from addiction in 1989. He was able to celebrate 36 years of sobriety on February 1, 2025. He was very involved in recovery and was a mentor and inspiration to countless people. He hosted many recovery events and was often the master of ceremonies.

He wanted to share his success in recovery from addiction. He opened Canku Luta Inc. in 2004 and operated for 20 years, closing last year in 2024. Canku Luta Inc. was located in a historic house on 2209 I Street in south Omaha. Canku Luta offered a traditional living halfway house to support Native people seeking recovery from substance abuse using traditional healing and spiritual practices. Canku Luta (Red Road) also provided a sweat lodge which drew a community of people together on a nearly weekly basis. Everyone was welcome to participate. On any given night of a sweat lodge at Canku Luta, there would be a gathering of people coming together to share food, prayer, song, fellowship, and laughter.

Todd became interested in a wide variety of healing practices. Beginning with his ever-growing crystal collection. He studied a variety of energy healing modalities. He used Quantum Touch to help his daughter, friends, and family with various mental and physical ailments. Todd also began using sound healing with crystal bowls, chimes, Tibetan bowls, and giant gongs to facilitate healing for people. He opened his home for sound healing events for anyone to attend.

Todd had a great love of live music. He shared his love of music with his family by taking them to music festivals, such as Project Earth and Shangri-La at Harmony Park, Minnesota. His daughter loved having the run of the festival grounds making fast festival friends. He became a regular at the “Vibration Station” at Shangri-La and would later bring his own assortment of healing bowls and gongs to the tent to play for people. He was an integral part of the festival and community at Harmony Park also hosting a recovery meeting dubbed “Further Down Fellowship”. His “Shang” family will be holding space for him this year.

Todd’s body succumbed to illness, but his spirit and soul are still with us. His soul lives on through his daughter Hannah and the thousands of people he touched in his life. Todd must have known it was time to do important work from the other side. If you miss him, need advice, want to share a prayer or tell him a joke, talk to him; he’ll listen.

Todd stood like a mountain—silent, unshakable, commanding respect without a single word. Todd had a gift for making everyone he knew feel as if they were his very best friend.

Like a Grateful Dead jam, your spirit plays on—endless, boundless, and full of soul. Every healing sound you ever played still vibrates in each of us. As the music never stops, neither does our love for you. We will hold space for you until then. Mitakuye Oyasin

Todd is preceded in death by his mother, Patricia Jean Waltemath (1922 – 2022) and father, Harry Arthur Waltemath, Jr. (1927 – 1996), his brother William Cullen Waltemath (1957 – 2012) and Cousin Angela Renee Dryden (1959 – 2016).
Todd is survived by his precious daughter Hannah and her mother Jenn Waltemath. His siblings Susanne Dutcher, her husband Jon Dutcher and Joan Waltemath. His sister-in-law Tami Waltemath and her daughter, Todd’s niece, Anna Waltemath. His nephews Joe Dutcher and his wife Tara Dutcher, Will Dutcher and his wife Ilenia Dutcher. His cousins David Waltemath, Bonnie Mauras, Victoria Waltemath, Patrick Cullen, John Cullen, Stacy Cullen, Mary Leake and Cecelia Bailey, loving dog, Brownie.

Todd’s Lakota name is “Maȟpíya Ičáȟtagya,” which translates to “Touch the Clouds.” He has literally and figuratively lived up to his name. He dedicated his spirituality to the Native culture and to healing the issues associated with substsnce abuse and generational trauma. White Bison and the Wellbriety Movement works with the Native community to promote healing from substance abuse, mental health issues and generational trauma.

In honor of Todd Waltemath, we ask that you donate to the White Bison Wellbriety Movement (whitebison.org), 12 Step House in Omaha or the charity of your choice.

A private funeral service will be held for the family, and a celebration of Todd’s life will take place in the coming months. We appreciate your love and support and will share details once arrangements are made.

Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler, West Center Chapel, 7805 West Center Road, Omaha, Ne 68124. (402)-391-3900. www.heafeyheafey.com