Funeral services for 82-year old Gerald Bush Sr are Monday, Feb 7, 2022 at 10:00 at the T&T Center in Wanblee, SD, with Fathers Ron Seminara, S.J. and Peter Klink, S.J., officiating.
Burial follows at 1:30 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD
A one-night wake service starts Sunday, Feb 6, at 12:30, also at the T&T Center in Wanblee.
Gerald Bush Sr was born on March 2, 1939 in Porcupine, SD to Eugene & Hannah (Yankton) Bush. Gerald made his journey to the Spirit World on January 27, 2022 at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, SD.
Gerald grew up in Porcupine, SD and attended grade school at the Porcupine Day school. He graduated high school in 1959 from Holy Rosary Mission in Pine Ridge, where he participated in track, football and basketball.
After high school, Gerald served his country by enlisting in the Navy. He became an electrician’s mate petty officer, 3rd class, during his four years and received an honorable discharge.
Gerald returned back to South Dakota and worked in Wanblee at Crazy Horse school and Pine Ridge throughout the 1980s working for the Bureau of Indian affairs ultimately retiring in 1995.
On September 30, 1967, Gerald married the love of his life, Sandra Hawk Wing. To this union were born ten children: Donna, Terrolyn, Michelle, Stephanie, Iris, Kristal, Gerald Jr, Sharyl, Bradley and Luke.
Gerald enjoyed many activities with his family and was a long time rancher working the family ranch and also enjoyed watching rodeos and loved to fish and visit with friends and family.
During Gerald’s lifetime, he also served as an Eagle Nest District representative, and was also District Chairman. Gerald was also an active member of the Legion Post 269 as a finance officer.
In July of 2003, Gerald was ordained as a Deacon through the Catholic Archdiocese and served the community until 2013. He received his Bachelors of Science degree in Lakota Studies from Oglala Lakota College in June 2008, and went on to become an instructor in Lakota Studies.
Gerald is survived by his children: Donna Janis-Whalen of Pine Ridge, SD, Terrolyn Teague of McAlester, OK, Michelle Long Soldier of Long Valley, SD, Stephanie Bush of Albuquerque, NM, Iris Bush of Wanblee SD, Kristal Winters of Wanblee SD, Sharyl Bush & Gerald Bush Jr, both of Albuquerque, NM, and Luke & Bradley Bush, both of Long Valley SD; 20 grandchildren; and 8 great grandchildren.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Sandra Bush; parents Eugene and Hannah (Yankton) Bush; siblings, Patrick Bush, Darlene Irick, Dennis Bush, Gene Bush, Anthony Bush, and Janice Bush; and grandchildren, Serenity Bogue and Jude Bush.
Pallbearers will be Thomas Vedilago, Kai Bush, Gerald Bush III, Conary Bush, Tristan Winters, Austin Winters, Julian High Horse, Christopher Long Soldier, Sr., Kelly Winters, and David Bush.
Honorary pallbearers will be Stanley Young, Sr. & family, Bobby Amiotte & family, Darren Teague, Patrick Teague, Michael Teague, Harrold “Bud” Weller, Royal Bettelyoun, Adonnis Winters, Ian Teague, Ezra Teague, Eric Blue Bird, Christopher Long Soldier, Sr., Adela Bettelyoun, Ryder Knode, Selena Ashley, Doris Winters, Amber Vedilago, Sandria Long Soldier, Jycole Bush, Shaelynn Winters, Tawney Bush, Savannah Yellow Hawk, Thomlynne Yellow Hawk, and All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD