Funeral services for 78-year old Valaria Apple are Sat, Feb 5, 2022 at 1:00 at the Rockyford School Gymnasium in Rockyford, SD, with Mr Jesse Murphy officiating and traditional Lakota services by Mr George Apple
Burial is Monday, February 7, at the Black Hills National Cemetery in Sturgis, SD
A two-night wake services starts Thurs, Feb 3, at 4:00, also at the Rockyford School Gymnasium
Valaria Gloria Apple, an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe, was born on April 26, 1943 in Pine Ridge, SD to Paul Apple and Stella (King) Apple. Valaria made her journey to the Spirit World on January 22, 2022 near Manderson, SD.
Valaria attended Haskell Indian Nations University in Lawrence, KS, from 1961 to 1964 and received her certificate in Business. She worked for the Manderson Day School as the very first secretary.
Valaria later moved to Los Angeles, CA, with her children, but moved back to South Dakota to attend college at the University of South Dakota. After finishing school, she returned to the Pine Ridge Reservation, where she began her career with the Oglala Sioux Tribe.
After 9 years as payroll supervisor, Valaria transferred to the OST Courthouse as Court Reporter and eventually Court Administrator, a position she held until she retired in 2008.
She remained life-long friends with her courthouse staff, but it didn’t take her long to realize retirement life was not for her. She began serving on numerous boards and committees, continuing to do so until the end.
Valaria is survived by her siblings, Zandra Apple, Garfield Apple, Tyron Apple, Susan Apple, and Audrey Apple; children, Connie Apple, Michelle Red Cloud, Troy Red Cloud, Tamara Red Cloud, Levi Red Cloud, Carleen Janis, and Robert Little Dog III; and all Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren.
Valaria was preceded in death by her parents, Paul and Estella (King) Apple; grandmother, Susie Apple; sons, Warren Red Cloud and Vincent Steven Little Dog; spouse, Merle Paul Mesteth; sister, Mercedes Annabelle White Plume; brothers, Darwin Apple and Ravon Dino Apple; grandson, David Charles Cuny; and granddaughter, Samantha Jo Touche.
Pallbearers will be Troy Red Cloud III, Kevin Ramos, Jr., Bradley (Jesse) Murphy, Angelo Brown Bear, Warren Red Cloud, Darrel Cottier, Gerald Cottier, Joe White Bear Claws, Loren Clifford, Sr., and Lavern Yankton.
Honorary pallbearers will be Joyce Goings & Family, the late Honorable Judge Patrick Lee, Delaney Apple, Corrine Brave & Family, Sylvester Two Bulls, Sr., Carmen martin, Jeanette Iron Boy, Susan Schradder, Betty Red Cloud, Liz Rowland, Echo, Denise Black Elk & Family, Florance Janis, Joey Linehan, Kim Lefthand, Monica Little, Wilma Thin Elk, Chris Eagle Hawk & Family, Betty Janis & Family, Vernona Kills Right, Debra Mousseau, Sonja Hernandez, Irene Means, Loretta Whirlwind Horse, Wanda Reddy, brandy Apple, Jeff Not Help Him, Steve Mousseau, George Apple, Linda Black Elk, Phyllis Hollow Horn, Eli Brave Heart, Chuck O’Rourke, Kevin Steele, Ann Apple, Donna Bowker & Family, Anthony Masquat, Ron Roffer, Holly Wilson, Saunie K. Wilson, Charlene Featherman, Charlotte Black Elk, Blossom Johsnson, Susan Pourier, Randy Hughes, Marie Ann High Crane, Oma Red Cloud & Family, Brenda Red Cloud & Family, Toni Red Cloud, Dennie White Thunder, Jr., Buck Spencer, Janice Kline, Bat & Patty Pourier, Ira Eagle Road, Walt Hernandez, Ann Apple, Lorilei Black Bear & Family, Rosalie Janis & Family, Arlana Bettelyoun, Marnie Brewer, Betty Kelly, Ritchy, Randi Gibbons, Joyce White Butterfly, Olivia Grass, Darla Swain, Bessie Ghost, Babbette Thin Elk, Jennifer Rowland, Angelita Elk Boy, Barbra Finkelstein, Loretta Romero, Cleo Gates, April Hussman, Rosie Shoulders & Family, Doris Respects Nothing & Family, Earl Tall, Paul Pawnee Leggins, Beverly Janis, Helena Little, Latonna Plenty Wolf, Darla Black, Karen Brown Bull, Betty Little Dog, Willene Little Dog, Richard Red Elk, Steven Apple, Sally Apple, Jeanette Eagle Hawk, Delphine Eagle Hawk, Mildred Alkire, John & Anna Steele, Angie Clifford, Becky Lewis, Karen Red Elk, Betty Black Crow, Yvette Jealous, Becki Cedar Face, Amy Jumping Eagle & Family, Dana Chase, Mary Mousseau, Whitney White Hawk, Karla Sleeping Bear & Family, Delaney Apple & Family, Valentina Makes Him First & Family, Veronica Means, Kara Swallow, Pam Eagle Hawk, Kayla Iron Horse, Bernice White Hawk & Family, Marlette Thunder Horse, Lisa Looks Twice & Family, Liegh Salway, Terri Returns, Roberta Little Dog & Family, Joyce Little Dog & Family, Jocelyn Colhoff & Family, Geraldine Fire Thunder & Family, Melanie Apple & Family, Renda & Melanie Two Eagle, Hattie White Butterfly & Family, Marla Sharp & Family, Tamera Villarreal, Loren & Chrystal Clifford, Todd Runs Against, Emma “Pinky” Clifford, Cheryl Whistler, Anita Ecoffey & Family, Nancy Perez & Family, Brandon Cuny & Family, Kara Cuny, Cassandra Cuny, Tlana Cuny, Rose Waters, Pat Catches, Pru Hawk, Leah Fire Thunder, Ben Leonard, Phillip Good Crow, Angel Flying Family, Hawk Family, Jumping Eagle Family, Iron Hail Basketball Team, Black Hills Dialysis Management Group, OST Public Safety, OST Highway Safety, OST Emergency Management, OST Tribal Courts-Past & Present, Martin Volunteer Fire Department, OST Elderly Meals Program, OST Treasurers Office, Jehovah Witness-Hot Springs, SD, Palliative Care Group, Missouri Break Study, and All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD