A Mass of Christian Burial for 63-year old Martin “Marty” Tibbitts will be Saturday, July 18, 2020 at 10:00 at the St. Agnes Catholic Church in Manderson, SD, with Father Edmund Yainao, S.J., & Ms. Joyce Tibbitts officiating.
In compliance with coronavirus recommendations for funeral services at this time, only immediate family members will be allowed in the church for mass
A public burial will be will take place following mass at St. Peter’s Catholic Cemetery near Rockyford, SD
Dinner will follow at Norma Tibbitts’ residence.
Martin James Tibbitts was born in Alliance NE on August 29, 1956, the youngest son of Emil and Wilma Tibbitts. Marty left us on July 14, 2020.
A much-loved father, brother, uncle, grandfather and great-grandfather, Marty was kind and generous. Rough about the edges, quick-tempered, quick to laugh and always up for an adventure.
Throughout his life Marty did many things including construction, water and sewer and school bus driver to pay the bills. Marty was a cowboy to his core. A bareback rider in his teens and twenties, he was not scared to get on nothing. He and his favorite horse, Sudan, had a special connection. They were so close Sudan would sleep on the ground next to Marty when they were out in the field. Marty loved the thrill of the ride, the rush of the rodeo lifestyle and the lasting friendships he made on the Indian rodeo circuit.
He was more than a rodeo cowboy, growing up on his family’s ranch in Lonesome Valley, on the edge of the badlands he learned hard work, cattle and how to be a horseman. He was happiest when riding horse back. He knew the land, where to find cows and water, how to tend to livestock and how to fix anything ranch related. Marty was always happy to teach his kids, nieces and nephews all that he had learned. Although he was his mama’s baby boy he took after his dad the most, he was hard working, strong, and damn near indestructible.
He leaves behind his children: Morgan (Micheala) Tibbitts of Kyle, SD, Jayson Brave Heart of San Diego, CA, Tiffiny (TD) Garnette of Kyle, SD, Cameron (Erica) Lafferty of Rapid City, SD, Tawnee Tibbitts of Lawton, OK, Lyle Dean (Cassandra) Tibbitts of Lonesome Valley, SD, Amanda (Will) and AJ Reddy of Kyle, SD. He is also survived by his siblings John, JoAnn, Norma and Tony. He is preceded in death by his parents, Wilma and Emil Tibbitts, brother, Melvin Tibbitts, sisters; Janis (Tibbitts) Emery – White Eyes and Emily Lorraine Tibbitts, and grandparents; Willie and Rose (Pourier) Tibbitts, John and Lucinda (Bettelyoun) Pulliam.
Pallbearers will be Gary Ferguson, Ronnie Ferguson, Frank Hunter, Doyle McGaa, Dan Bear Runner, Mark Duane Clifford, Brian “Super” Kindle, Lonnie Swallow, and Bluch Fire Thunder. Honorary pall bearers are his grandchildren; Cordaero Tibbitts, Kieran Tibbitts, Morgan Angel Tibbitts, Maverick Tibbitts, Madelyn Tibbitts, Hailey Brave Heart, Mato Brave Heart, Pahin Brave Heart, Taylen Garnette, Telence Garnette, Tearin Garnette, Taleese Garnette, Anthony Garnette, Jr., Tayson Tibbs Garnette, Darryn Lafferty, Alexa Clifford, Marty Lynn Tibbitts, Alycia Howe, Randy Howe, Jr., Ramona Tibbitts, Adriano Tibbitts, Tyrell Wayne Tibbitts, Markem Tuff Tibbitts, Lydia Her Many Horses, LaTawna Pille, Harley Pille, Frank and Linda Hunter, Tudy and Melvin Swallow, Coomes Family, Clay and Nicole Johnson, numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and all relatives and friends.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD