Lester Carson Running Hawk was born on October 14, 1971 in Pine Ridge, SD to Aloysius “Dominic” Running Hawk and Phoebe Kills Right-Running Hawk. Lester made his journey to the Spirit World on November 23, 2024 at his home East of Porcupine, SD.
Lester was the only child to Phoebe Kills Right-Running Hawk and Dominic Running Hawk. He grew up in Evergreen Housing where he made lots of memories and friends. Lester learned how to ride a dirt bike and how to break dance. He always loved hanging out at his grandparents Anna and Joseph Kills Right’s home. He became a traditional dancer at a young age and loved going to Pow-Wows with his parents and grandma, Anna.
Lester’s education journey started at Our Lady of Lourdes Elementary School from Kindergarten to when he graduated 8th grade. He then transferred to Rockyford for his 9th grade but then transferred to Rapid City Central High School until his Junior year of high school. He started his senior year of high school at Little Wound High School where he met the love of his life, Delunda White Face, they both graduated the spring of May 1992.
Together, Lester and Delunda began their life. On December 12, 1991 they had their first born son, Eugene Joseph Running Hawk and several months later in the summer of 1993 Lester started his carpentry/maintenance career with the Oglala Lakota Housing Authority. In 1999 Lester and Delunda were married at the Justice of Peace in Kyle, SD. One year later, they welcomed their daughter, Katana Gage Running Hawk on August 14, 2000; she was their last child.
Lester liked to keep himself busy with many things such as tattoos, tinting windows, making crosses for friends & family who passed on, riding his motorcycle, mechanic work fixing and installing speakers, radios, lightbars, and mowing his lawn during the summers. He learned how to do leather work such as making wallets, keyfobs and lighter holders, phone cases, and belts. He also did home improvements on his home, making benches, his daughters highchair, picnic tables, and baseball cap holders. He enjoyed cooking, while preparing to cook a meal he always used gloves and sanitized things before he started cooking. Lester always supported his children and grandchildren when they joined sports, he always recorded every game for them and cheered them on he was their #1 fan. He loved taking his wife out on their date nights and sometimes his other three wives, Betty, Cathy, and Angel would tag along ending up at the casino. He was the happiest grandpa when he was around his grandbabies, they were his whole world as he would tell them and he always enjoyed visiting with his nephews and niece he was happy when they would come around. He enjoyed talking about his day at work and how he taught his co-workers carpentry, plumbing, or maintenance. He also passed his knowledge to his co-workers, but he referred to it as his “Karate Work.” He referred to his co-workers as “dolls” they all knew his wave to them and often told them before he loved them before he hung up the phone.
Lester, your passing leaves us with a deep sadness but it also leaves us with a profound sense of gratitude. We are grateful for the time we had with you, for the memories we shared and for the lessons you taught us. As we lay you to rest, we take comfort in the knowledge that your spirit will live on in our hearts, memories, and in the countless lives you touched. You may be gone, but you will never be forgotten. Rest in Peace Lester, your legacy will live on…
Lester is survived by his father, Aloysius “Dominic” Running Hawk; his loving wife/soulmate, DeLunda “Lori” Running Hawk; children, Eugene “Baby Gene” Running Hawk and Katana “Baby” Running Hawk; grandbabies, Ebony Running Hawk, Elijah Running Hawk, and Sarina Tallman; aunts, Vernona Kills Right & Family, Mari Kills Right, Alberta Kills Right, Agnes Left Hand-Red Cloud, and Dolores Shoulder Blade; uncles, Rick Two Dogs, Sid, Lenny, & Lester Lone Hill; hunka sisters, Hattie White Butterfly & Darshann “Sis” Mesteth; emotional support fur baby, Blanca; many cousins who he thought of as his brothers & sisters; and numerous nieces, nephews, and grandchildren.
Lester was preceded in death by his mother, Phoebe Kills Right-Running Hawk; paternal grandparents, Eugene Cyrus & Victoria Marrow Bone-Running Hawk; maternal grandparents, Joseph Kills Right & Anna Lone Hill-Kills Right; hunka brother, Steven Yellow Cloud; uncles, Albert Kills Right, Sr., Donroy Kills Right, Sr., Charlie Running Hawk, Harry Left Hand, Patrick Running Hawk, and Lloyd Bianas; aunts, Theresa Left Hand, Elizabeth Dearly Makes Him First, Carol Horn Beck, and Vonda Bianas; cousins, Donovan Yankton, Sr., Leonard Yankton, Duane Yellow Cloud, Sr., Ira Makes Him First, Jeannie Kills Right, Patricia Running Hawk, Maria Shoulder Blade, Vincynthia Shoulder Blade, and Maria Makes Him First; nephew, Donovan “DJ” Yankton, Jr.; and niece, Crystal Feather Two Crow; god-father, John Attack Him; and in-laws, Rose & Howard White Face.
Pallbearers will be Jeremy Buckman, Colter Iron Cloud, Brady Weston, Jeff Elk, Emerald Elk, Fabian Black Bull, Gregory White Face, Cash Pourier, and Sidney Red Owl.
Honorary pallbearers will be surviving descendants of Unci Suzie Shot In The Eye, Michelle Running Hawk-Hixon & Family, Christina Running Hawk-Ellison & Family, Betty (Donald Pat Little) & Family, Angel White Face & Family, Diggo White Face & Family and Cathy (Sheldon) Two Crow & Daughter, Billy Gourd & Family, Susan Big Crow & Family, Phyllis Campbell & Family, Dorothy Thunder Bull & Family, Will Makes Him First & Children, Chrysan Smallwood & Family, Benard Smallwood & Family, Richard Smallwood & Family, Anthony “Nick” Smallwood & Family, Catherine Dearly-Looking Elk & Family, Philip Yellow Hawk & Family, Delores Shoulder Blade & Family, Audrey Thompson & Family, Yellow Cloud Family, Bear Runner Family, Wounded Head Family, Donna Lamont, Gene Standing Bear, Pat Miner, Lamar Black Bull, Jeremy Pourier, Len Pourier, Canku Clifford, Warren “Craig” Weston, Cameron Red Owl, TJ Heart, Will Young Bear, Chris Young Bear, Devin & Donte Shangreaux, Griffin Cross, Oglala Lakota Housing Authority Co-Workers from 1993 to Present, Tyler Lunderman, Terry Weston, Jr., Yamni Frank, Muggs Cross, Mike Akers, Harold Brown Bull, Kyle McGinnis, Darwin Long, Anthony Wounded Head, Jr., David Lee White Face & Family, Ross Family, Vina Steele & Family, Mary Young Bear & Family, Tim White Face, Sam White Face & Family, Hanger Clinic, Monument Health Heart & Vascular Dept., Wright Vision Center, Special Thank You to Lisa Young Bear & OST Dispatch, OSTPD, I.H.S. Ambulance Service, Denver Bianas, and Sheldon Two Crow.
Wake Services: Two night wake service starting at 4:00 PM, Friday, December 6, 2024 at the Porcupine School Gymnasium in Porcupine, SD with evening services starting at 7:00 PM, each night of the wake services.
Funeral Services: 10:00 AM, Sunday, December 8, 2024 at the Porcupine School Gymnasium in Porcupine, SD
Traditional Lakota Services: Badger Society and All Spiritual Leaders Welcome
Officiating: Deacon Bill White
Burial Services: Lakota Mennonite Cemetery, Porcupine, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD