Elverna Dupris

Elverna Dupris, 75, of Eagle Butte, passed away Friday, March 10, 2017 at I.H.S. Hospital, Eagle Butte.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., MDT, Monday, March 20, 2017 at the Dupree Multipurpose Building, Dupree, with Sister Addie Morris and Deacon Harold Condon presiding. Burial followed Dupris Family Cemetery, rural Cherry Creek. A wake service was held at 7:00 p.m., MDT, Sunday, March 19, 2017 the hall, with a procession from the 2-mile east of Dupree at 5:00 p.m.

Elverna was born to Rose (Condon) and Percy Dupris Sr. on July 6, 1941 at Old Cheyenne Agency. Most of her childhood years were spent with her parents living in Cherry Creek, SD until her father went to war.  She moved with her mother and sister Yvonne, to Rapid City, SD for a time then upon the return of her father, she came back to Cherry Creek and her father took her to her to stay with her grandmother, Julia Dupris-Ward.  Wherever Grandma Julia went you would surely see Elverna, she was a grandma’s girl, spending a lot of time with her grandma.  Elverna attended Carlin Day School when she was young, riding horseback to and from school. She was a shy person in school but as she got into her teenage years she grew out of it, she was fond of school and was always well liked & popular. She attended Dupree High School then on to Old Cheyenne Agency.

Elverna met and married Theodore Knife, Sr. They worked for Bob Samuelson, learning first-hand about the cattle business.  They lived near Red Scaffold, SD; where they ranched. Elverna was a hard worker, she basically built up the ranch. She did everything from loans and paperwork, to rounding up, selling, and branding calves. Her son, Buddy, and his children, carry on the ranching business to this day.  Elverna and Ted Sr. had five children, Theodore Jr. (Buddy), Georgette, the twins - Wendell and Randall, and Dion.  After their divorce, Elverna moved to Eagle Butte, SD.  She married Sam Garter and had two more children, Otis and JoBeth. 

Elverna received her Food Service Certificate at United Tribes in Bismarck, ND.   She worked in several capacities in her lifetime: Red Scaffold School, CHR for Red Scaffold community, former café in downtown Eagle Butte, and as a caretaker of children at the CRST Emergency Shelter Home and Sacred Heart Center. Her latest employment was with the Indian Health Service hospital, where she was a Dietary Cook. Elverna enjoyed playing bingo, beading, and sewing; although her main interest was cooking. She loved to cook and everyone loved her cooking. She was known best for her baked bread and her awesome pies.   Elverna was always a friendly face at her place of work. She had a quiet, but determined and friendly, demeanor about her. She was a direct descendent of the great Chief Hump.  Elverna adopted her niece, Tracy Dupris, as one of her own children and raised her grandson, Clint (Charlie) Knife, since he was a baby.

Elverna began experiencing signs of Alzheimer’s disease. As it progressed, the family took care of her as long as they could, and she was eventually placed in the Mobridge Care Center. After having complications on March 10, 2017, she was brought home to the Cheyenne River Healthcare Center; where she was made comfortable. Within just a few hours, surrounded by family and friends, she made her journey to the spirit world.

Elverna is survived by her children and their families: Buddy and Dolly Jo Knife, Georgette Knife, Wendell and Joey Knife, Randall Knife, Otis Garter and JoBeth Dupris; 23 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; sisters: Yvonne Dupris, Lois Garter, Elaine Martinez, and Audrey High Elk, all of Dupree, SD; brother, Richard Young of Parmelee, SD; adopted brother, Randy Kills Small of Wakpala, SD; aunt, Pearl Hollow Horn of Red Scaffold, SD; and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Rose and Percy Dupris Sr.; brother, Percy Dupris Jr.; her beloved son, Dion Luther Knife; and two grandsons, Asa George Knife and Brady Paul Knife; and granddaughter, Brooklin Gunville.

Elverna will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Elverna’s arrangements.