Graveside services for 53-year old Galen Janis are Friday, April 9, 2021 at 2:30 PM at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD, with Pastor Elton Yellow Boy and Lay Minister Anthony Wounded Head officiating.
Galen Anthony Janis “Tasunka Sapa” (Black Horse) was born on May 13, 1967 in Pine Ridge, SD to Everett Janis and Velma (Respects Nothing) Janis. Galen made his journey to the Spirit World on March 31, 2021 in Rapid City, SD.
Galen grew up in the Little Wound area and graduated from Little Wound High School in 1985. Galen worked at Little Wound School as a Night Watchmen and at the OST Dept. of Public Safety as a corrections officer and for the Kyle Correctional Facility.
Galen enlisted in the United States Army on January 7, 1991 in Fort Benning, GA and served in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm with serving 3 months and 29 days overseas. Galen was honorably discharged on May 29, 1991 in Fort Jackson, SC with the rank of Sergeant.
Galen loved horses and sports, his favorite football team was the Los Angels Rams and his favorite basketball team was the Los Angeles Lakers. Galen also loved collecting shotguns and being an outdoorsman.
Galen is survived by his siblings, Alice F. Janis, Sharon R. Janis, George W. Janis, and Karlyn R. Janis; aunts, Florine Eastman, Barbara Short Horn, and Peggy Janis; nieces & nephews, Russell Wilson Running Hawk, Jr., Tanner Riley Running Hawk, Ta’mya Essence Rose Running Hawk, Shanay Rose Janis, Shantay Rose Janis, and Jordan Louis Janis; grandchildren, Tayla Riley, Taleah Jo Running Hawk, Bentley Logan Janis, Riley Grey Running Hawk, Isadora Rosely Janis, and Mackenzie Jayde Janis; and numerous cousins, friends, aunts, & uncles.
Galen was preceded in death by his parents, Everett & Velma Janis; nephews, Christopher Elmer Janis, Terrell Schae Janis, and Jerrod Whistler; brothers, Everett Janis, Jr. and Myron Janis; aunts, Ora Janis, Mabel Janis, and Evelyn Long Soldier; uncles, Kenneth Janis and Woodrow Respects Nothing; paternal grandparents, Wilson Janis & Alice (Fool Head) Janis; and maternal grandparents, George Respects Nothing & Rose (Bird Necklace) Respects Nothing.
Pallbearers will be Asay No Braid, Cody Yellow Boy, Darrol Little Whiteman, Russell Running Hawk, Jr., Tanner Running Hawk, and Jordan Janis.
Honorary pallbearers will be Cheryl Whistler & Family, Merle Whistler & Family, Elton & Sharon Yellow Boy & Family, Annie Brings Him Back & Family, Peggy Janis & Family, Velma Kills Back & Family, Barbara Short Horn & Family, Sheryl Janis & Family, Florene Eastman & Family, Lynette Kills Back & Family, Babette Thin Elk & Family, Inez Little Whiteman & Family, Charles Montileaux & Family, Bonnie Holy Rock & Family, Duane Spotted Eagle, Cora Spotted Eagle & Family, Kyle Laundreaux, Tom Janis, Trenton Iron Shield, Kevin Feather Earring, Gloria Eastman & Family, Doris Respects Nothing & Family, Alvin Long Soldier & Family, Delphine One Horn & Family, Colleen Long Soldier & Family, Respects Nothing Families, Long Soldier Families, Catches Families, Anthony Wounded Head & Family, Little Wound School Class of 1985, All Military Veterans, VA Medical Staff, Little Wound School Staff, OST Dept. of Public Safety/Corrections, his close friends, the late Rodney Janis and Jonathan Little Whiteman, and All Friends & Relatives not mentioned, we sincerely apologize if you were not mentioned.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD