Gerald Lester Bettelyoun “Wanbli Okinye” was born on September 8, 1950 in Pine Ridge, SD to Frank Jay and Gladys (Milk) Bettelyoun. Gerald made his journey to the Spirit World on September 6, 2024 at his home in Batesland, SD.
Gerald “Jed” Lester Bettelyoun was born on September 8th, 1950 in Pine Ridge, SD to Frank Jay and Gladys Bettelyoun. Jed was the eldest of twelve children. He spent most of his early years in Long Valley at “the Old Place”. In 1970, he married the love of his life, Caroline (Wilcox) Bettelyoun. To this union, they had Tanya, William “BJ”, Kerri and Brandon. The most notable aspect of Jed was the love he had for his grandchildren. Jed will be leaving behind twenty-two grandchildren and fifteen great-grandchildren. whom he loved very much. Jed lived an honorable life and instilled strong work ethics in his children. His most beloved achievement was going to Utah and becoming a National Certified Home and Building Inspector. Jed was also the first Native American to be seated as one of the Bennett County Commissioners from 2002-2004. Jed had Twenty-seven years of service with Indian Health Service as an inspector. He was a school board member for Crazy Horse School in 2008-2009. In the 70s, Jed also helped build Crazy Horse School. Jed loved working on vehicles, horses, hunting, fishing, car racing and bowling. He enjoyed participating in many activities. Everyone would say that his number one job was directing everyone to do things his way. He loved to visit and joke with everyone he came across. He was most known for jokes, always laughing and smiling. Jed will be missed very much.
Gerald is survived by his wife, Caroline Bettelyoun; sons, William Bettelyoun Sr. (Tonia), Brandon Bettelyoun Sr., Orrie Bettelyoun, Orrion Bettelyoun; daughters, Tanya Bettelyoun, Kerri Bettelyoun; Brothers, Larry Bettelyoun, Roger Bettelyoun, Ned Bettelyoun, John Bettelyoun and Doyle Bettelyoun; Hunka Brother, Jon Whirlwind Horse; sisters, Charlotte Bettelyoun, Angie Eisenbraun (Harris), and Irene Duke; Grandchildren, Cruz, Luca & Ronnie Jay, Alex, Tia, Kyah, William Jr., Amaya, Seqouya, & Jedi, Lutero, Rainey, Gabriel, Adam, Kimora, & Karma, Tristin, Kylie, Kaylie, and Brandon Jr.; great-grandchildren, Brea’Lee, KeevaJae, Everlee, Tyrion & Ariyah, Dusty, Malcolm & Kymani, Alaia & Ziya, Cyanna, Leilani & Ozmin, and Everleigh.
Gerald was preceded in death by his parents, Frank Jay and Gladys Bettelyoun; siblings, Randy Bettelyoun, Frank Bettelyoun Jr., Frank “Yamni” Bettelyoun III, Doris Bettelyoun, Irvin Bettelyoun; in-Laws William Wilcox, Lucille Red Willow-Wilcox and Laura Wilcox; grandparents, George & Angeline Bettelyoun, William Iron Elk Plucks Porcupine and Elizabeth Milk; and God-parents, Joe & Marie Randall.
Pallbearers- William Bettelyoun, Jr., Jedi Bettelyoun, Bob Amiotte, Larry Bettelyoun, Jr., Lutero Bettelyoun, Brandon Bettelyoun, Jr., Derek Bettelyoun, and Roger Red Elk, Jr.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Edsel Dion, Joe Catches, Richard Marshall, Lenny Lonehill, Byron Wilcox, Darlene and Joseph, Theresa and Mikey, Wayne Wilcox & Family, Jon and Monica Whirlwind Horse, Jim Red Willow and Family, Craig Dillon, Warren Giago Sr., Doug O’Brien, Thomas Dillon, Jerome High Horse and family, Skeeto Bettelyoun, Renee Mousseaux, Shonna, Brett, Angel, Lara, Dusty and Stephan, Past and Present Crazy Horse School Board Members, Past and Present Bennett County Commissioners, OSLH Kyle Yard Coworkers, Office of Environmental Health Coworkers, and All friends and relatives that we may have forgotten.
Wake Services: One night wake service starting at 1:00 PM, Friday, September 13, 2024 at the Crazy Horse School Gymnasium in Wanblee, SD.
Funeral Services: 10:00 AM, Saturday, September 14, 2024 at the Crazy Horse School Gymnasium in Wanblee, SD
Traditional Lakota Services: Richard Moves Camp
Officiating: To Be Announced
Burial Services: Bear in the Lodge Family Cemetery, Long Valley, SD.
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD.