A Mass of Christian Burial for 88-year old Rex Herman will be Wednesday, October 27, 2021 at 10:00 at St Isaac Jogues Catholic Church in Rapid City, SD, with Fathers Ed Witt, S.J., and Ron Seminara, S.J., officiating.
Burial follows at 2:00 at the Lakota Freedom Veteran’s Cemetery in Kyle, SD. Rex Herman was a Veteran of the U-S Marine Corps and served in the Korean War, earning 2 Purple Hearts.
A Meal and celebration of life ceremony will be held at a later date due to current COVID-19 Restrictions.
*** The Herman family asks that everyone follow the guidelines of precautions against the spread of COVID 19, including required social distancing and use of masks, but also asks there be no handshaking or hugs.
The entire family deeply appreciates you all keeping us in your prayers during this difficult time. ***
Rex Leo Herman was born on November 7, 1932 in Pine Ridge, SD to Alice (Janis) Herman and Jake Herman, Sr. Rex journeyed home from the Veteran’s Hospital in Hot Springs, SD on October 19, 2021.
Rex grew up 0n the Bombing Range near Interior until the family was evacuated and relocated to No Flesh near Kyle.
Rex remembered riding “Creepy Jenny” a well known mule his father used in rodeos, to their new home, fondly recalling mornings when he and his brothers would have to chip ice and melt water over the fire outside their canvas tent those first days of living there.
He attended Holy Rosary Mission at a young age and created many friendships and memories. After running away from Holy Rosary, he attended Little Wound School, where he played basketball and broke horses.
In addition to helping his mother raise chickens, he travelled around various parts of the country with his father, Jake Herman Sr, a famed Rodeo Clown.
He dropped out of school after his brother Sonny, a member of the 82nd Airborne, was killed in Holland and enlisted in the Marines in 1951.
Rex was honored with an Ambassador of Peace medal from the South Korean Government in a ceremony in Pierre, SD in January of 2016 along with other tribal members. Rex was also a recipient of two Purple Hearts during his time of service.
Rex was discharged from the Marines in 1954, later working in an Army Depot. He then met Wilma (Whirlwind Horse) and they married. To this union, Little Rex, Marshall, Linda, twin boys, Marla, Jake, and Howard were born.
Rex lived with his family in Devils Lake, ND, Pine Ridge, SD, Sacramento, CA, and Gallup, NM where he worked in various forms of law enforcement.
He also worked in Toyei, AZ where he was a coach and dorm manager influencing many young people as a father figure for many.
Rex and his family moved to Fort Defiance, AZ, and Rosebud, SD before finally settling in Allen, SD. He lived his last days in Rapid City, but often gave his presence in Deadwood, SD.
Rex was a very generous and humble man and would often give to those in need. He also enjoyed spending time with all his grandchildren, especially watching them play basketball and other sports for Little Wound and Todd County.
Rex was a diehard Little Wound Mustangs fan and would never miss a game. Rex also enjoyed attending the LNI each year in Rapid City.
He will be greatly missed and remembered as a historian and storyteller.
Rex leaves behind his children, Linda Herman of Kyle, SD, Marla Herman and Howard Herman both of Allen, SD, Jackie Comeau of North Dakota, Bobbie Mills of Phoenix, AZ, and Pamela Gourneau of North Dakota; grandchildren Kristen Howee of Phoenix, AZ, Logan Gasdia of Aztec, NM, Marla Jean Gasdia of Rapid City, SD, Hannalee Gasdia of Kyle, SD, Marshall Dale Byrnes-Herman of Dupree, SD, Ashley Herman of Cedar Falls, IA, Tacia Osterberg of Wall, SD, Jemma of Fort Berthoud, CO, Sadie In The Woods of Kyle, SD, Byron In The Woods, Jr. and Stormy Shot With Arrow both of Allen, SD, and Chris Mills; great grandchildren, Jade Hawee of Phoenix, AZ, Randall Bear of Rapid City, Joseph Bear of Watford City, ND, Jasmin Trajovsky of Loveland, CO, Jade Hill of Wellington, FL, Sage In The Woods of Kyle, SD, Logyn Birkland of Dupree, SD, LaReina In The Woods, and Sienna Randall of Rapid City, SD.
Rex was preceded in death by his wife, Wilma (Whirlwind Horse) Herman; sons, Little Rex, Marshall, Jake, and twin boys; daughter, Judy Buckman-Twiss; parents, Alice (Janis) and Jake Herman, Sr.; and siblings, Sonny, Paul (Pearl) Sr., Grace, Hope (Tom) Brewer, and Faith (Pat) Lee.
Pallbearers will be Jake Herman, Delbert Hicks, Logan Gasdia, Marshall Dale Byrnes-Herman, Byron Trinity In The Woods, Jr., Milo Shot With Arrow, Stormy Shot With Arrow, Jade Hawee, and Chris Mills.
Honorary pallbearers will be all former students and friends, Allen Community and Elders, Jim Cross, Anna Solomon-Halverson, Marine Military Veterans, Legion Posts across the Pine Ridge, Justin Poor Bear, Don Gasdia, Brent Spoonhunter, Angelina Whitehorse, Mother Butler Choir and Church Goers, Jack Herman, Jim Herman, Darrel Jackson, Cleo Kills In Water, Toyei Hawks, Lacy Foskett, Delbert Brewer, Little Wound School Mustangs Students & Staff, and all nieces, nephews, relatives & friends.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD
So sorry for your loss. Jeff, Heather, Jake, Nash Herman. Centennial Colorado. My sons and I met with Rex and part of his family in Kyle SD a few years back. He and family treated us like close family. Our lives were blessed by this experience. Rex will be missed.