Funeral services for 87-year old Rev Robert Two Bulls are Monday, Feb 14, 2022 at 11:00 at the Christ Church Episcopal in Red Shirt, SD, with The Reverend Canons Robert W Two Bulls Jr & Michael Cunningham officiating.
Burial is at the Christ Church Episcopal Cemetery in Red Shirt, SD.
A funeral procession from the Sioux Funeral Home in Pine Ridge, SD, to Christ Episcopal Church will leave Saturday at 1:00 with a two-night wake service starting at the church at 2:00. Prayer services will start at 7:00 both nights.
The Rev Robert G Two Bulls “Sunka Blo” passed away in his sleep on February 5, 2022 at the age of 87 surrounded by the ones he loved..
Robert was born on April 4, 1934 in a log cabin at Red Shirt Table on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation to the Honorable Peter and Martha (Helper) Two Bulls. Robert was the 6th of 11 children and was the eldest brother.
When Robert was born, his Lakota name was bestowed upon him by Sunka Blo, a warrior and survivor from The Battle of Little Bighorn. Sunka Blo foretold that Robert would live a long life.
Robert was a lifelong horseman, owning his first horse at the tender age of 5. His first job was with the Two Bulls Cattle Association, which was owned by the Two Bulls Tiospaye. Their operation had over 1,000 head of cattle and he worked diligently up until the time of his enlistment in the US Navy at the age of 18.
Robert served during the Korean Conflict on the USS Radford DD-446, his home on the sea. He was in the Marshall Islands during Operation Ivy & Mike, the first American atomic tests using hydrogen bombs.
After his honorable discharge from the Navy, Robert returned home. Later, during a visit to Drywood to see his kola Richard, he was introduced to Richard’s sister, Delores Labelle Ten Fingers, and they both proclaimed it was love at first sight.
Delores was the greatest love of his life. After they courted, they soon married, moved to Rapid City and started a family. They had five children: James, Twilla, Lorri Ann, Marty Sr and Robert Jr.
Robert used his GI Bill to go to trade school to become an auto body painter and worked for 25 years at Howard’s Body Shop. While working, he studied and was ordained a priest in the Episcopal Church in 1980.
Robert remained in the Ministry for 41 years before retiring after faithfully serving in the Diocese of South Dakota and Utah.
On June 1st 1998, Robert and Delores fulfilled their lifelong dream to move back home on their land in Red Shirt Table. It was there that they homesteaded and built their ranch.
Robert raised and trained his horses along with some of his most beloved dogs. In 2010, Robert’s sweetheart, Delores, passed away after a long battle with cancer. They had been married 54 years.
Artist, cowboy, sailor, family man and Episcopal priest, his powerful love didn’t come to an end with his death. Robert’s cherished family will continue to honor his legacy by living their lives to the fullest
Robert is survived by his children James (Brandi), Twilla, Lorri Ann, Marty Sr., and Robert (Ritchie); Hunka sons, Micheal Cunningham and Stephen Hoyle; 13 grandchildren; 18 great-grandchildren; siblings Frances Sr and Julie Garnier; nieces, nephews, cousins, friends and lastly, his little buddy, great-granddaughter Bobbi Labelle.
Robert was preceded in death by his parents Peter Two Bulls Sr and Martha (Helper) Two Bulls; Sisters Maizie Red Bow, Elizabeth Belt, Lucille Two Bulls, Ramona Colhoff, and Norene Mousseau; Brothers Peter Sr, Sam Sr, and Franklin Sr; and finally, by his beloved wife Delores.
Pallbearers will be Douglas Two Bulls, Micheal Two Bulls, Marty Two Bulls Jr, Richard Two Bulls, Grant Two Bulls, and Bryan Parker.
Honorary pallbearers are all family and friends.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD