Richard Virgil Red Elk was born on August 19, 1966, to Patrick Red Elk Sr. and Phoebe (Iron Hawk) Red Elk. He made his journey to the spirit world on May 18, 2026, at his home in Manderson, South Dakota.
Richard graduated from Pine Ridge School and was a devoted Thorpe fan. He also took classes at Oglala Lakota College. Over the years, he held several different jobs, but the work he loved most was serving as a teacher aide.
In his younger years, Richard loved to dance and enjoyed dancing with friends and family. He was active on several co-ed volleyball teams and served as a referee for reservation wide volleyball games. He also enjoyed playing bingo and spending time at the casino.
Richard became very involved in our cultural way of life. He lived his cultural beliefs every day. He was a Sundancer and a pipe carrier. He attended several different inipi on a regular basis.
Richard had a personality that everyone loved. He brought laughter to those around him, and people truly enjoyed his company.
Richard is survived by a sister, Patricia Red Elk; brother, Peter Red Elk; his nephews and neices, Emil Red Elk, Angelo, Christopher, Kane, Jesse, Thomas, Sean and Faith; grandchildren, Carmen Running Bear, Louis, Andrew, Kara, Tayden, Amil, Jessica and Francis; his sister/cousins, Gwen (Red Elk) Cuny, Henrietta (Ghost) Cottier, Harriet (Brown) Broken Nose, Sylvia Ghost, Paula (Brown) Simpson, Karen Red Elk and Mary Ghost and Genevieve Chase in Sight; his Brother/Cousins, Curtis Ghost, Ernie (Ghost) Toledo, Cecil Ghost, Nathan Ghost, Jason Ghost, Harvey Ghost and Pete Brown; hunka mom, Ruth Cummings; and Hunka relatives, Howard Little Dog, Charlotte and Geraldine Black Elk.
Richard was preceded in death his parents, Patrick and Phoebe Red Elk; sisters, Emma Red Elk Lillian (Red Elk) Yellow Horse and Matilda Red Elk; brothers, Donald Red Blanket, Wilbur Red Elk, Sr., Patrick Red Elk, Jr.; paternal grandparents, Peter Red Elk and Fannie Black Tail Deer; maternal grandparents, John and Julia (Drops Two) Iron Hawk; his nephews and niece, Francis, Cletus, Wilbur Jr. and Nicolette; and grandson, Emil Jr.
Pallbearers will be William Kills Enemy, Michael “MJ” Lucio, Kevin Steele, Asay Thin Elk, Ron Jumping Eagle Jr., William Jumping Eagle, Jr., Bryan Smith Jr., and Sacred Garneau.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Cedar Face Families, Black Tail Deer Families, Little Dog Tiospaye’s, Shoulder Families, Jumping Eagle Families, Looks Twice Family, Seda Family, Villareal Family, DeSersa Families, Black Elk Families, Hollow Horn Families, Janis/Tall Families and Pipe on Head Families, Miguel and Bobbie Ruiz and family, Yellow Bull Family, Elizabeth (Blacksmith) Morrison and family, Melissa Blacksmith and Family, Julie Blacksmith and family, Delayne Blacksmith and family, Babette Thin Elk and family, Wilma Thin Elk, Valentina Makes Him First and family, Vanessa Piper and family, Darla Black and Family, Plenty Wolf Family, Mike Little Boy and family, Willene Kills Enemy and Family, William Kills Enemy and Family, Lisa High Wolf and family, Bobbi Jo LeBeau and family, Michelle Vocu and family, Avis Monroe and family, Tessie Chase in Sight and family, Muffie and Felipa Mousseau, Hattie White Butterfly, Dialysis Van Drivers, Richard, Todd, Andrew & Mike. Elena Her Many Horses and family, Malcolm Horse, Travis Richards, All Sundance Families, all Sundancers from the Canupa Waste Win Wiwang Waci, Yellow Cloud/Mahpiya Zi Sundance, Around Him Sundance and all other friends and relatives that we may have missed, we apologize.
Wake Services: One night wake service will start at 3:00 PM, Friday, May 29, 2026 at the Wounded Knee District School with evening service starting at 7:00 PM.
Funeral Services: 2:00 PM, Saturday, May 30, 2026 at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, SD
Officiating: Ms. Joyce Tibbitts
Traditional Lakota Services: All Spiritual Leaders Welcome
Burial Services: St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery, Manderson, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD