Graveside services for 81-year old Irma Bad Wound are Sat, Nov 7, 2020 at 1:15 PM at the Wolf Creek Community Cemetery with Pastor David Lays Bad officiating.
Visitation Services precedes the services from 11:30 AM – 1:00 PM, Saturday at the Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge, SD.
Sister Irma Jean Bad Wound was born on May 30, 1938 in Pine Ridge, SD to James and Jessie (Yellow Boy) Black Feather and went through the Golden Gates of Heaven on October 31, 2020 at the Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, WY.
Irma was given the Lakota name, “Tokicuŋwiŋ” (Revenger) by her grandparents.
Irma graduated in 1959 from Pine Ridge High School and married Maurice Champagne Sr in June of 1959 at the Body of the Lord Jesus Christ Church in Pine Ridge, SD. To this union were added three children, Maretta Champagne, Maurice Champagne Jr, and James Champagne.
Irma was a housewife and followed her husband through 10 years of his service in the United States Marine Corps. She attended college and earned her Associates of Arts Degree, then went on for her Bachelor of Arts degree in Special Education.
Irma was employed for the Pine Ridge Elementary School working with children with special needs. She also went to Nursing training and Secretarial training in Dallas, TX. In her younger years, she was also a Stock Car Racer and won several races.
Irma later married Alfonso Bad Wound, who would spend 20 years in the United States Air Force. To this union was born one son, Gilbert Bad Wound.
Irma was a minister at the House of Jacob Church in Wolf Creek, but God sent Irma and Gilbert to minister the world of God on the West Coast to several Indian Reservations. She had a prayer life, she was a Bible reader, and she knew the Word of God. Irma loved the Lord.
Irma was also a contributing elder to the Lakota Language Consortium.
Irma met her special friend, Willard Moccasin Face, and he became her caretaker. Willard helped her in many ways; he kept track of her medications, her household needs, transportation, her veggie garden, flowers, her cats and dogs, and kept the yard clean.
Irma was also a Gold Star Mother of America and worked with Army Post 281- Wakpamni District.
Her hobbies included making shawls with long fringes, star quilts, crocheting, and afghans. Irma traveled in many areas in the U.S. and Canada. She was a courageous woman who wanted to attend and see what she could see and learn from it.
Irma is survived by her special friend and steward, Willard; daughter, Maretta Champagne; son, James Champagne; sister, Mary Condon; sister-in-law, Judith Black Feather; brother-in-law, Vern Roubideaux; cousin, Colleen Talbot; grandchildren, Jesse (Jesse) Hand, Beau Big Crow, Angelina (Collins) Clifford, Tabitha (Alkapoane) Black Spotted Horse, Tamera, Tahmera, James, & Michael Champagne; great grandchildren, Semni & Cetan Big Crow, Sam & Dan Hand, Asa Aupi Hand, Beau James Big Crow, Jr., Hunter, Cante Kiye Big Crow, Taelon, Keion, & Walter Clifford, Tokeya Mani Big Crow, Taj, Kanyn, & Apollo White Calf.
Irma was preceded in death by her parents, James & Jessie (Yellow Boy) Black Feather; sons, Gilbert Bad Wound & Maurice Champagne Jr.; sisters, Martha Black FeatherShorting and Estella Rowland; brothers, John, Raymo, & Selvester Black Feather; granddaughter, Tamaria Champagne; and great grandson, Gaige Big Crow.
Pallbearers will be Wayne Flood, James Fast Horse, Rigo Ortiz Sr, Jeremy Hunts Horse Sr, Wilbur Swift Hawk, and Silas Condon.
Honorary pallbearers will be All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD