Ronald Wesley Little Thunder was born July 26, 1959 in a log house near Wanblee, SD to Steven Little Thunder Sr and Rena Amiotte (Standing Bear). His early childhood was spent in Norris, SD and working at Harold Stoddard’s ranch until he enrolled himself at Ft. Sill boarding school in Lawton, OK. After graduating high school, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and completed basic training at Camp Pendleton in Oceanside, CA. He was part of the first recon unit, and proudly served until he was honorably discharged due to a service-connected injury. He earned his associate and bachelor degrees from Rose State College in Midwest City, OK, and was a semester away from receiving his masters degree at Oklahoma University. Not one to be still, he was active in kickboxing and karate, worked different jobs throughout Shawnee and Oklahoma City, OK, and even ran his own janitorial business. From military and education, he traveled to several different countries. He moved back to Wanblee, SD in the 1990s and met his wife, Rosalie Red Elk. In the early 2000s, they started Rosalie’s quilting business and ran it until her passing in 2018. He is very proud of the traditional Lakota ways, and was in the process of publishing a book he wrote in order to help future generations find their way home. Ron went exactly as he had hoped: in the comfort of his own home, surrounded by loved ones on February 2, 2025.
Ron was preceded in death by his grandparents, Emery Stephen Amiotte and Jennie Looking White-Amiotte, Ida Little Thunder and Joseph Little Thunder; parents, Rena Standing Bear and Steven Little Thunder; stepfather, Sevart Standing Bear, Sr.; wife, Rosalie Red Elk-Little Thunder; sisters, Linda Leader Charge, Maxine Little Thunder, and Doris Little Thunder; brothers, Steven Joseph Little Thunder, Duane Standing Bear, Leonard Standing Bear, Harold Standing Bear, Marvin Standing Bear, and Lonnie Standing Bear; aunts. Emmaline Amiotte-Eagle Bear, Hazel Amiotte-Wilcox, and Theresa Amiotte; uncles, Jake Little Thunder, Gilbert Little Thunder, Howard Amiotte, and Gerald “Dean” Amiotte; and cousins, nieces, and nephews.
Ron is survived by his aunt, Darlene Allard; sister, Beverly Little Thunder; brother, Sevart Standing Bear, Jr.; daughters, Jenny (Mike) Little Thunder-Duty, Becky Gibson Little Thunder; Veronica Little Thunder, and Desirae (Dalton) Campbell; sons, Jason Little Thunder, David Little Thunder, Tristian Two Eagle, and Emery Little Thunder; other cousins, several grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews; those with him at his departing: granddaughter, Remi Little Thunder, Nancy Ries, stepson, Steven James Bull Bear, and nephew Joshua Standing Bear.
Pallbearers will be Emery Little Thunder, Mesun Waters, Dalton Campbell, Antwan Bull Bear, Tommy Wright, and Joshua Standing Bear.
Honorary pallbearers will be Diane Greenwald & Family, Ries Family, All In-Laws, and Numerous Friends & Relatives.
Wake Services: Two night wake service starting at 1:00 PM, Saturday, February 15, 2025 at the TNT Center in Wanblee, SD with evening services starting at 7:00 PM each night.
Military Roll Call: Sunday, February 16, 2025 after evening services at 7:00 PM
Funeral Services: 11:00 AM, Monday, February 17, 2025 at the TNT Center in Wanblee, SD
Traditional Lakota Services: Richard Moves Camp
Burial Services: Gethsemane Episcopal Cemetery, Wanblee, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD