Irmina Joyce Red Owl was born on November 11, 1942 in Pine Ridge, SD to Kenneth Red Owl and Rachel Aldene Blue Bird. Irmina made her journey to the Spirit World on October 17, 2024 at her home near Kyle, SD.
She attended Pine Ridge Boarding School and Gordon High School until the 10th grade. Afterward, she moved to Sidney, NE, to attend cooking school and then relocated to Denver, Colorado, where she obtained her GED and began college classes. Irmina joined the Teacher Corps and moved to Pavillion, Wyoming, on the Wind River Reservation. She graduated from the University of Wyoming with a bachelor’s degree in education and returned to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where she spent her career teaching at various schools, including Porcupine School, Manderson, Wolf Creek, Little Wound, Our Lady of Lourdes, Rockyford, and Lakota Waldorf. She later returned to college at the University of South Dakota, where she earned her master’s degree in education. In addition to teaching, Irmina served as the middle school principal at LWS and as the Dean of Students at LWHS. She received a certificate to teach Lakota Culture and Language and taught Lakota language classes at Rockyford toward the end of her career.
Irmina enjoyed singing country music in her youth, and everyone loved her renditions of Patsy Cline songs. She spent much of her childhood on American Horse Creek, where she enjoyed spending time with her many cousins.
Irmina, known as “Joyce” by many, was a strong and independent woman who became the matriarch of her family. She cherished her relatives, both by blood and by hunkapi. She was a single parent who taught her children and grandchildren to also be strong, independent, and to cherish family.
Irmina was preceded in death by her parents, Kenneth Red Owl and Rachel (Blue Bird) Red Owl; her paternal grandparents, Henry and Della (Smith) Red Owl; her maternal grandparents, Thomas and Nancy (Red Kettle) Blue Bird; and her siblings, Basil Red Owl, Imogene Red Owl, Carol Ann Red Owl, and Guy Red Owl.
Irmina is survived by her children, Rae Ann Red Owl of Kyle, SD, and Steve (Jen) Red Owl of Rapid City, SD; her grandchildren, Keisha Good Weasel, Emily Good Weasel, Jordan Good Weasel, Tyson Good Weasel, Cameron Red Owl, Sidney (Lisa) Red Owl, Kristina (Myles) Red Owl, Amanda Red Owl, Christopher Red Owl, and Kennedi Red Owl; her great-grandchildren, Devin Clifford, Olivia Pourier, Zia Good Weasel, Itancan Good Weasel, Alexander Good Weasel, Brycen Red Owl, Amina Red Owl, Braden Red Owl, Izabella Red Owl, and Tegan Red Owl; and her great-great-grandchild, Tesla Clifford. She is also survived by her siblings, Calvin Red Owl I of Hot Springs, SD, Evelyn Red Owl of Kyle, SD, and Gloria (Bob) Washenburger of Phoenix, Arizona; as well as her adopted children, Theresa Henry, Gina Has No Horse, Delane Has No Horse, and Whisper American Horse.
Pallbearers will be Kasey Black Hawk, Eugene Running Hawk, Rob American Horse, Vincent “Woodzy” Two Lance, Julian Hernandez, Brian Hopkins
Honorary pallbearers will be Thelma Pourier, Mercy Iron Crow, Eileen Grinnell, Sandy Two Lance, Phinet Red Owl, Delores Bear Killer, Doris Bear Killer, Annie Montileaux, Geraldine Red Owl, Cordelia Red Owl, Grace Rooks and Faye Hernandez.
Irmina held an unwavering affection for her family, hunkapi relatives, and friends, each of whom played a significant role in her life, filling it with joy and warmth. We will forever cherish their love and support.
Wake Services: One night wake service starting at 12:00 PM, Friday, November 1, 2024 at the Lakota Waldorf School near Kyle, SD with evening services starting at 7:00 PM.
Funeral Services: 10:00 AM, Saturday, November 2, 2024 at the Lakota Waldorf School near Kyle, SD.
Officiating: To Be Announced
Traditional Lakota Services: To Be Announced
Burial Services: Mediator Cemetery, Kyle, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD.