Funeral services for 74-year old Joy Bush are Sat, April 22, 2023 at 1:00 at the Rockyford School Old Gymnasium in Rockyford, SD, with Lay Minister Anthony Wounded Head officiating and traditional Lakota services by Marlin Medicine Horse
Burial is at the Bush Family Cemetery in Porcupine, SD
A one-night wake service starts Friday, April 21, at 10:00 at the Rockyford School Old Gymnasium in Rockyford.
Joy Lee (Kills Warrior) Bush “Ta Nape Waste Win (Her Good Hands Woman) was born October 29, 1948 in Chadron, NE, to Louis and Kathryn Slow Bear-Kills Warrior. Joy made her journey to the Spirit World on April 13, 2023 at the Monument Health Hospital in Rapid City, SD.
Joy and her brother and sister moved with their parents to Los Angeles, CA, during the 1954 Re-Location Action. During her lifetime, Joy worked and provided for her family, including taking on her nieces and nephews.
In 1967, Joy married the love of her life, Ronald Bush. From this union, they were blessed with four children: Ronelle, Mona, Ronald Jr, and Jason.
When her mother, Kathryn, passed away unexpectedly, Joy cared for her brothers and sisters until they grew up and had children. Through the hard times, Joy & Ron took on Paul, Adrianne, Leah, Ronald, Donald, Catherine, Cameron, Charles, Darrell, Ricky, and Tanya after their parents could not care for them.
Joy continued caring for her children while taking on extra souls to care for, which was her family for many years.
In 1983, Joy graduated from Oglala Lakota College with her Bachelor of Science Degree in Elementary Education and began a career as an educator that lasted for over 40 years.
Joy worked for the CAP Office in Porcupine and the OST Head Start Program before her career in education, which included working for the Oglala Lakota County School District, Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary, Little Wound School, and Boy’s and Girl’s Club in Rapid City before retiring after working at Pahin Sinte Owayawa.
Joy believed in education and encouraged her children, all 15 of them, to go for their education and be successful.
Joy was a modest and modern Lakota Woman who loved to go on her casino trips with her love, Ronnie. Every Friday evening, for many years, was a trip to Rapid City on a grocery run to provide for the many children she took on.
Joy taught all the children to clean, cook, attend school, and get their education. She loved to cook for everyone’s birthday and provide meals for every occasion, even corned beef hash for St Patrick’s Day.
Joy taught her daughters and nieces the role of a modern Lakota woman to cook, clean, and provide for their children. During her time on this Earth, Joy told the sacred stories of her grandparents that they passed on to her; she was a fluent Lakota speaker.
In the tradition of a military family, Joy was the flag bearer for her father and brothers, all of whom served proudly in the Armed Forces. Upon their death, the role of the flag bearer was passed onto her and she continued to support her relatives who served or currently serve in the military.
Joy is survived by her spouse of 56 years, Ronald Bush Sr; children Ronelle Bush, Mona (James) Twiss, Ronald Bush Jr, and Jason Bush; Aunt Noreen (Ken) Lone Elk; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; and cousins Dorothy, Leah, and Tara Brown Bear.
Joy was preceded in death by her daughter Debra Bush; parents Louis Kills Warrior & Kathryn Slow Bear-Kills Warrior; sisters Amadeen, Berna, Tanya (Tiny), Katherine Kills Warrior, and Copia White Bull; brothers Allen (Tiny), Darwin, and Ronald Kills Warrior; grandparents Allen Kills Warrior & Julia High Cat-Kills Warrior, Baptiste Slow Bear & Rose Bear Robe, nephew Darrell Alcott; and nieces Adrienne & Leah White Bull.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Twiss, Robert Pourier, Donald Kills Warrior Jr, James Bush, Virgil Bush Jr, Charles Bush, Brandon Blue Bird, and Mniluzahe Berg.
Honorary pallbearers will be all friends & relatives.
Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD, is in charge of arrangements for Joy Bush.