Funeral Services for 85-year old Isaak “Harry Bunk” Left Hand are Thurs, June 8, 2023 at 10:00 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge, SD, with Deacon William “Bill” White officiating.
Burial is at the Holy Rosary Mission Catholic Cemetery in Pine Ridge.
A one-night wake service starts Wed, June 7, at 3:00 at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Pine Ridge.
Online condolences may be made at siouxfuneralhome.com
Isaak Henry Allen Left Hand was born on January 31, 1938 in Pine Ridge, SD to Andrew Left Hand and Josephine Marrow bone. Isaak made his journey to the Spirit World on May 17, 2023 at the Bennett County Hospital and Nursing Home in Martin, SD.
He was born to a family who loved him and welcomed him at his birth: his mother Josephine Jessie Marrowbone Left Hand and father Andrew Frank Left Hand.
His nickname came from a family friend, Harry Tiley; Bunk was his father Andrew’s nickname, hence his nickname of Harry Bunk.
Harry Bunk was blessed with an older brother Eugene, older sisters Theresa and Agnes, and younger sister Catherine/
Cousin Agatha “Angie” Left Hand-Palfy and niece Chrysan Smallwood joined the Left Hand household later and were raised by Andrew and Jessie.
His first cousins Aloysius Dominic and Patrick Running Hawk were also very close to him and spent the majority of their time at the Left Hand household.
Harry Bunk grew up on the family land behind Calico community and attended Holy Rosary Mission throughout grade school and high school.
He was baptized a Catholic at Holy Rosary Mission and graduated high school from Holy Rosary Mission.
Harry Bunk loved the outdoors and was always finding jobs that would allow him to be outside. He was a ranch hand in the summer all over the state of Nebraska, then would come home for the winter months to help his family.
He was also very artistic and created artwork that he entered into the art show at Red Cloud Indian School. He also made pipes for ceremony and loved to create belts using tool work.
One of Harry’s favorite pastimes was working in the garden created from a grant for prisoners.
The garden was located behind the Pine Ridge College Center and every day Harry would pick up prisoners who were interested in working in the garden and learning how to plant seeds so that they could plant gardens of their own once they were released. This is where he met his good friend, Gary Bowker.
In June of 2014, Harry Bunk was one of the elderly honored at the Oglala Lakota College for being a first language Lakota speaker. It was a moment he was very happy and proud to be a part of.
Harry Bunk was never blessed with any children of his own but he was blessed with siblings who had children of their own.
Harry is survived by his sister Agnes Left Hand-Red Cloud and her family: Debra, Brenda, Andrea, Lavonna, Vincent Jr and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; sister Theresa’s family: Bernard, Chrysan, Richard, Anthony and their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren; cousin Caroline Brown Bear, her son Calvin and grandson Calvin Jr; sister Agatha-Angie Palfy and her husband George Palfy and their children Chaske and Waniyetu Wichapi Palfy and their children; sister Catherine’s family: David, Cheryl and Audrey and their children; cousin Aloysious Dominic Running Hawk & family: Lester, Delunda and their children and grandchildren; Gloria Runs Close to The Lodge-Goggles & her family: Dolores Runs Close to the Lodge- Shoulderblade & Family Henry & Helen Lodge; and his Uncle Jacob Left Hand’s family: Georgianne, Lydia, Emily, Virgil and their families.
Waiting to welcome him in the land beyond the sky are his parents, Andrew and Josephine; his brother Eugene; his sisters Theresa and Catherine; his best uncle Antoine “Indian” Marrowbone; his cousins Patrick Running Hawk and Elizabeth Makes Him First; his nephews Michael Gowin, David Whipple, and Ira Makes Him First; nieces Charlene and Josephine Smallwood, & Maria Makes Him First; and his grandparents, aunts, uncles and other relatives.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Herman, Jordan Herman, Malcolm Herman, Eric Red Cloud, Lester Running Hawk, Richard Smallwood, Coby McBride, Adonis Herman, Andre Herman, and Devjon Herman.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Agnes Left Hand-Red Cloud, Gary Bowker, Charlotte Dismounts Thrice, McBride Family, The Bennett County nursing home staff, All of Harry’s nieces and nephews, The ole farts who are still blessed to be here that were friends with our beloved uncle.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD