Gerald Eugene Ice was born on December 26, 1948 to Bernard Ice, Sr. and Lydia Black Elk-Ice. Gerald made his journey to the Spirit World on January 25, 2025 at the Michael J. Fitzmaurice South Dakota Veterans Home in Hot Springs, SD.
Gerald was raised and lived in Wounded Knee. He entered the US Army in April 1968, served in the Vietnam war and was honorably discharged as SP4. He went on to earn his Electrician certificate from the United Tribes Technical College in Bismarck, ND. He completed courses in Business for entrepreneurship at San Diego before returning home to become a buffalo rancher. He dedicated his life to Lakota traditions and spirituality in ceremonies to assist others in need. He loved to travel, hunt and fish. He showed his love for family, relatives and everyone through his outgoing personality and humor …his words of encouragement were, “Lakotapi ki otehikelo, blehic’iyapo!”
Gerald is survived by his niece, Simona Hollow Horn; nephews, Frank Hollow Horn, Duane Ice, Clifton Red Feather, Austin, Terry, & Julius Ice, and Vincent Burt-Ice; paternal first cousins/sisters, Karen and Joyce White Butterfly, Yvonne Wendy Chase In Winter, Dorothy Sun Bear, and Sandra Hatchett; first cousins/brothers, Gerard Rob Kills Enemy and Donovan Chase; maternal cousins/sisters, Janice Black Elk-Jim, Marilyn Black Elk, and Carol Weston; cousins/brothers, Richard & Cyrus Black Elk and Wesley & Lyle Black Elk; and numerous nieces, nephews, & grandchildren.
Gerald was preceded in death by his wife, Eldine (Red Eyes) Ice; parents, Bernard Ice, Sr. & Lydia Black Elk-Ice; siblings, Florine, Norma, Bernard, Jr., & William Ice; paternal grandparents, Alex & Mabel (Runs Against) Ice; maternal grandparents, Martin & Lucy (Little Tail) Black Elk; nieces, Delmarie, Valorie, & Delona Kills In Water; and nephews, Jonathan & Ivan Hollow Horn.
Pallbearers will be all nephews, grandsons, & friends.
Honorary Pallbearers will be all relatives and friends too numerous to list, Thank you to all medical personnel to tended to our brother, Lila Wopila to the Micheal J. Fitzmaurice South Dakota Veterans Home for his care, and to all his friends and family who were part of his life, as family we appreciate you.
Visitation Services: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM, Sunday, February 9, 2025 at the Wounded Knee District School Gym in Manderson, SD
Funeral Services: 2:00 PM, Sunday, February 9, 2025 at the Wounded Knee District School Gym in Manderson, SD with military roll call before services.
Officiating: Minister Cyrus Black Elk
Traditional Lakota Services: William Plenty Arrows, Jr.
Burial Services: 1:30 PM, Monday, February 10, 2025 at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD.
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD