Funeral services for 52-year old Bluch Lester Fire Thunder Jr are Sat, Sept 3, 2022 at noon at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD, with Joyce Tibbitts and Father Edmund Yainao, S-J, officiating and traditional Lakota services by Mike Sna Mani Sr.
A two-night wake service starts Thurs, Sept 1, 2022 at 2:30 at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD, with vigil and rosary services beginning Thursday night at 7:00. Friday night has traditional Lakota services and Military Roll Call starting at 7:00.
Burial is at St Mary’s Episcopal Cemetery in Grass Creek, SD.
Bluch Lester Fire Thunder Jr “Wanbli Gleska Wiyaka” was born on September 5, 1969 in Pine Ridge, SD to Bluch L Fire Thunder Sr and Lucille (Little) Fire Thunder. Bluch made his journey to the Spirit World on August 23, 2022 at his home in Grass Creek, SD.
Bluch is survived by his son, Wallace Fire Thunder and his mother, Michelle Kocer; siblings, Raymond Stands, Ingrid One Feather, Harlan Fire Thunder, Leah Fire Thunder, Luci Fire Thunder, and A.V. Fire Thunder; hunka brothers, Rick Josefczyk, Llewellyn Good Voice Flute, Donovan Steele, Ivis Long Visitor, and Doug Novotny, hunka sister, Mary Little Hawk, and numerous nieces & nephews.
Bluch was preceded in death by his parents, Bluch Sr and Lucille Fire Thunder; sister Lita Running Hawk; brothers Burnell Stands, Filmore Stands, and Phillip Ward Sr; hunka sisters Phoebe Running Hawk and Lori Garnier; paternal grandparents Lottie Iron Boy and Noah Fire Thunder; maternal grandparents Amos Little and Emma No Water; uncle Bill She Voice Elk Walking; and aunt Ora Pumpkin Seed Black Feather & Family.
Pallbearers will be Sage Richard, Robert Pille, Rick Josefczyk, Charlie Waters, Phillip Jumping Eagle, Ben Johnson, Clay Johnson, Creighton Yankton, Donovan Steele, Corey Mills, Charles Oldson Sr, and Rodney Rouillard.
Honorary pallbearers will be O.S.T. Transportation, Nicole & Clay Johnson, Warren Red Cloud Sr & Family, Canku Clifford & Family, Tibby & Mert Kocer, Merle Temple & Family, Chane Coomes (The Ranger Family), Bobby Jo Deckert, Sharon Respects Nothing, Anthony Gomez, Reanne Respects Nothing & Family, SiTanka Wokiksuya Riders, Aubree Hudspeth, Taryn Running Hawk, Doug Running Hawk, TSC, Jumping Eagle Family, LaVonne Mesteth & Family, Ernie Little, Little Families, Dave & Kathy Janis, Joyce & Baby Lee Last Horse, Ruth Steele, Dakota Longbrake, Dave Kelly, Lisa Steele, Frank Steele & Family, Shane Nesbet, Howard Rooks, Paul Plume & Family, Shaunn Higgins, Jason Waln, Tibbitts Family, Norma Tibbitts & Family, Sione “John” Maea, John Fresquez & Family, Tonya Ecoffey, Chane Hagen, Todd D Janis, Ted Pedregon, Charles & Betty O’Rourke, Olivia Grass & Family, Tim Reiger, Bruce Struckman, Tonya Tordson, Cole Lang, DeSersa Family, Goings Family, Monte Tibbitts, Horse Power Ranch, Steve Reddy Sr, Arlen Hunter, All Local Area Ranchers, All Veterans, and all Family, Friends, & Relatives.
Bluch Fire Thunder Jr was a veteran of the U-S Marine Corps and his arrangements are entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD.