Gage Black Elk

Gage N. Black Elk, 31, of Dupree, passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Dupree. 

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. MDT, Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Dupree Multipurpose Building, Dupree. Burial will follow in St. Peter’s Episcopal Cemetery, Thunderbutte. A wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, June 11, 2025, at the MP building, with a procession from the 2-mile east of Dupree at 4:00 p.m. 

Gage Nathanial Black Elk was born on July 6th, 1993, to Bonita Shot At and Michael Black Elk in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. 

From age two to sixteen, Gage was raised by his uncle and aunt, Jake Traversie and Antoinette Roach. He grew up in the communities of Eagle Butte and Dupree, SD. As a young kid, Gage spent a lot of time at the Sioux YMCA in Dupree. An image taken of Gage by photographer, Emily Schiffer, was featured at the Smithsonian Museum in 2009. Gage moved to Dupree, SD with his mother and graduated from Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School in 2011. Gage was a jack of all trades, working in construction, landscaping, electrical, and mechanical. Gage was a part of the crew that built the new Cheyenne River Health Center and was also an employee of the Cheyenne River Housing Authority for four years. Gage had many accomplishments in his life.  His greatest accomplishment was becoming a father to his daughter, L’via, whom he loved with all his heart.

For a short time, Gage lived in Texas, Colorado, and Oregon before returning home to South Dakota. Gage enjoyed being in the country south of Dupree where he called home. Gage always enjoyed the company of his family and friends; he was on an adventure with anyone who was willing to tag along. Gage loved his animals, enjoyed hunting, and skateboarding. Gage was a family and friend-oriented person and was always there for his family and friends.

Gage will be missed by his family and numerous friends including: his mother, Bonita Shot At of Dupree, SD; father, Michael Black Elk of Pine Ridge, SD; sisters: Sharon Rose Lee of LaPlant, Kammi J. Marshall of Dallas, TX, Tessa Black Elk of Rapid City, SD; brothers: Derek Scheller of Aberdeen, SD, Cruz Garcia of Lincon, NE; daughter, L’Via Black Elk and her mother Juanna Falcon both of Bridger, SD; aunts: Ives Black Elk, Lucelle Black Elk, Marge Black Elk, Darlene Sunka Ska; uncles: Nathan Black Elk, Veryle Bordeaux, Harvey Bordeaux, Mervin Bordeaux; cousins: Chris Johnson, Lakota Johnson, Michael Johnson, Dana Shot At and family, Rae Dawn Bean, Galen Shot At and family, Anna Diana Fielder and family, Jonathan Bautista and family, Tiana Moran and family, Leilaunie Hayes and family, Simoine Traversie and family, Medina Matonis and family, Shannon Grass Family, Noisy Hawk Family, Valentina Traversie and family. 

Gage was preceded in death by grandmas: Romaine Shot At, Zelda Dog Eagle, Vivian Shot At, Edith Shot At, Lala Buz; aunts: Liz Shot At, Merrilee Traversie, Andrea Grass, Antoinette Roach, Kris Red Bird; uncle, Jake Traversie; cousins: Monica White, Kurtis Red Bird, Sydnee Shot At, Diane Lee, and Michelle White Face.

The family would like to extend our immense gratitude to everyone who was there for Gage throughout his life.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Gage’s arrangements.