Funeral services for 67-year old John “Dusty” Nelson are Tues, Nov 28, 2023 at 11:00 at the Three Moccasin Park Nelson Residence in Pine Ridge, SD.
Burial is at the Janis Family Cemetery in Manderson, SD
A one-night wake service starts Monday, Nov 27 at 11:00 at the Three Moccasin Park-Nelson Residence in Pine Ridge.
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com
John “Dusty” Nelson “Wihinapa” (Rising Sun) was born on June 14, 1956 in Denver, CO to Willard G Nelson and Francine E Brewer-Nelson. Dusty made his journey on November 22, 2023 in Pine Ridge, SD surrounded by his loving family.
Dusty was a freedom fighter for the American Indian Movement throughout his life and he modeled a commitment to the liberation of the Lakota people.
Dusty served the Oglala Sioux Tribe through many projects for the road department, home improvement programs, the hospital, and jail.
He was a visionary through his growing craft, in which he worked his whole life to perfect his signature artisan growing methods and techniques.
Throughout his life, he mastered many skills and talents such as playing baseball, riding bulls, playing harmonica, auto mechanics, gambling, and wine making.
Dusty was a true wild Oglala, a traveler of the Oceti Sakowin Territory, and a friend to all those in his path.
Dusty is survived by his wife Roselda; sons Sinte Hla (Myra) Nelson, Willie (Veronica) Nelson, Aaron (Trish) Little Bear, Sammy D. (Kiesha) Nelson, Misun (Davonna) Bowker, Darryl (Cherie) Trueblood Jr, Waylon Hard Heart, and Paul Trueblood; daughter Imogene Trueblood; grandchildren Sequoia, Anthony, Mia, Taela, Lena-Mae, Savannah, Wylie, Kylie, Milani, and Henry Nelson, Alice & Tasina Bowker, Stephon and Lexi Little Bear, Mato and Kimimila Waste Win Camp, and Allery Trueblood; great-grandchildren Aiko Elani Nelson and Ky-mani and Leila Camp; siblings Betty (Dave) Archambault, Connie Nelson, and Daniel Nelson; and aunts & uncles Vivian & Joe Locust and Family and John “Buzz” Nelson & Family, Jake Locust and Family, Joe Locust Jr and family.
Dusty was preceded in death by his parents Willard G Nelson and Francine E Brewer-Nelson; grandparents Louisa Star Yellowwood, Sam Nelson, Helen Knight-Brewer, and William Brewer; and his brother Harold Willard “Jim” Nelson.
Pallbearers will be Sequoia Nelson, Anthony Nelson, Wylie Nelson, Darrell Wayne Trueblood, Allery Trueblood, Chuck Archambault, Jim Archambault, Dallas Nelson, Dillon Nelson, and Henry Nelson.
Honorary pallbearers will be Ivis Long Visitor, Mike Merrival, Joey Little Moon, Jeff Whalen, Don “Cuny Dog” Cuny, Emma Sam, Kate Thunder Hawk & Family, Bitsy Trueblood, Stephanie Sully, Charlene Eagle Elk, Joe Bat, Joey Richards, Jerry Dearly & Family, Chandi Treetop, Birdie Iron Eyes, Chase Iron Eyes, Mary Little Sky, Donna Little Sky, Theresa Black Feather, Pete Fills The Pipe, Lenny Foster, Vimber Long Wolf, Jim Rodriguez & Family, Susan Schrader & Family, Joyce Wheeler & Family, Loud Hawk Tiospaye, Cross Dog Tiospaye, Goings Tiospaye, Fire Thunder Tiospaye, Bagola Tiospaye, Brewer Tiospaye, Little Tiospaye, White Plume Tiospaye, AIM Family and Friends, ION Construction Co-Workers, OST Transportation Department, PLO, and All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD