Darlene Sunka Ska

Darlene Sunka Ska, 64, of Dupree, passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Avantara, Pierre. 

Funeral services will be 2:00 p.m. Friday, August 1, 2025, at the Dupree Multipurpose Building. 

Darlene V. Sunka Ska (Bordeaux) was born June 9, 1961 to Vivian V. Shot At and Ernest J. Bordeaux Jr. in Eagle Butte, SD. She was the second twin born as her twin sister Marlene passed during childbirth. Darlene and Marlene were the second children born from their parents, and hers siblings are Mike and Jeff Hale, Marlys, Marlene, Ernestine, Carla, Loren, Vernon, Marcel, Marletta, Charlene Bordeaux. 

Darlene grew up on the Rosebud reservation in White River, SD. She was raised by her grandmother, Mary Bordeaux (Standing Soldier) and her father, Ernest Jr. Darlene loved being with her Grandmother Mary. She had multiple stories about growing up in White River and the surrounding areas in Rosebud. She was always going around helping Grandmother Mary with many things, whether it be cleaning, cooking, harvesting choke cherries and wild plums, digging for rubies in old ant piles, going to her grandmother’s friend’s homes, helping butcher a cow or buffalo beside the river, or just helping her with whatever was needed for ceremony or the community. 

Her grandmother and father taught Darlene about traditional Lakota ways and the love of God through Catholicism, though in her later teens she would fall from the Catholic church and be born again a Christian. Darlene was very strong in her faith in God, and she always made sure her children, grandchildren, family and friends prayed every day. She was known to recite bible verses every day and you could always catch her reading her Bible. Darlene was a fluent Lakota speaker as that was her first language before she was taken to boarding school and taught English. Darlene loved music and she introduced a variety of music to her children and friends. She was always jamming out to something, whether it be the radio, her CD's or her Spotify playlist. We could always catch her dancing or singing along with her tunes. 

Darlene lived in many places in her lifetime. She lived in California, Oregon, Iowa, many places in South Dakota, but eventually settled down on the Cheyenne River Reservation in Dupree, SD, but she always said that White River, SD was her home. Darlene had nine wonderful children, LeChara L. Bordeaux, Brian J. Thin Elk, Lauren L. Bordeaux, Ace J. Bordeaux, Lawrence A. Moran Jr. "Aaron", Kevin C. Bordeaux and Austin J. Bordeaux, Leilaunie M. Hayes (Bordeaux) "May May", Tiana M. Bordeaux (Moran) "Baby”. Darlene worked various jobs in her lifetime and was a hard worker. She worked at the elderly nutrition in Meskwaki, IA and in Eagle Butte, SD, Walter Miner Law Enforcement as a cook, ICWA as a secretary, all in Eagle Butte, SD. She also worked at the Dupree School as a cook, and various other jobs where she lived throughout her life as there is too many to name. Darlene got reacquainted with her teenage sweetheart, the love of her life, David B. Sunka Ska. He spoiled her with endless amounts of love, so much so, that she no longer needed to work as he took care of her so she could be a stay at home mom. They were truly soulmates in this life. Darlene was a God fearing and family orientated person she loved her children and grandchildren, and family members with all her heart. She was always so proud of them for even the smallest accomplishment. We could always catch her visiting on her phone with someone whether it be her friends from Rosebud or one of her family members. She loved to be in touch with all who she loved. Darlene will be missed by many.

Darlene is survived by her children: LeChara Bordeaux of Denver, CO, Brian Thin Elk of Mission, SD, Lauren Berg (Bordeaux) of Sioux Falls, SD, Ace Bordeaux of Iroquois, SD, Leilaunie & Willis Hayes of Dupree, SD, Tiana Bordeaux of Dupree, SD; siblings: Carla Stead (Bordeaux) of Rapid City, SD, Charlene Denoyer (Bordeaux) of Mission, SD; grandchildren: Lenny Red Horse, Riley Red Horse, Gerald Hale & family, Diamonique Defender, Lakota Johnson, Mersadies Stead, Kayden Bordeaux, M'Kayla Traversie, Trey Bordeaux, Paisley Bordeaux, Mary Bordeaux, Felix Hayes, Alicyonna (Alley Cat) & Anwon Hayes, O'Maste & Drew (Bubu) Frost, L'Via Black Elk, Sky Hale and others too many to name; cousins: Leah Red Bird, Feenie Red Bird, Bonita Shot At, Harvey, Veryle, Mervin Bordeaux, Earl Bordeaux, Peggy (Pj) Shot At, Lucy Slycord, and many others; nieces & nephews: Kellon Peniska & family, Cassidy Hollow Horn & family, Jayden Hollow Horn & family, Kennon Peniska, Lyndsey Defender & family, Fallon & Cambryn High Elk, Amy & Steven Lee, Kami Lindberg, Joe Hale, Coleman Robbins, Nikki Robbins & family, Rae Bean & family, Galen Shot At & family, Anna Diana Fielder & family, Jonathan Bautista & family, Chris Johnson & family, Dana Shot At & family, Shannon Grass & family, Jason Stead & family, Clarence Hale & family, and many others. 

Darlene is preceded in death by family members: husband: David B. Sunka Ska; parents: Ernest J. Bordeaux Jr., Vivian V. Shot At; siblings: Mike (Bernice Condon) & Jeff Hale, Marlys, Marlene, Ernestine, Loren, Vernon, Marcel, Marletta Bordeaux, Bonita Condon (sister-in-law), Morris Little Shield; grandparents: Mary Bordeaux (Standing Soldier) and Ernest Bordeaux Sr., Agnes (Takes The Gun) Shot At and husband; aunts & uncles: Zelda Dog Eagle, Romaine Shot At, Edith Shot At, Gilbert Shot At (Lala Buzz), Sandy Shot At; cousins: Joe Burnette, Donna Burnette, Kristi Red Bird, Elizabeth (Liz) Shot At, Merrilee Shot At, Kurtis Red Bird; nieces & nephews: Gage Black Elk, Monica White, Nikki Robbins, Mary Grass, Rhiannon Stead, Jake, James, Malissa Hale; children: Austin J. Bordeaux, Kevin C. Bordeaux, Lawrence A. Moran Jr. (Aaron); best friend: Frenchie Mestes; sisters, Gloria Hawk Eagle and Gina Clown, Lawrence A. Moran Sr. (Charlie Crow).

The family would like to extend their greatest gratitude to everyone who was there for Darlene throughout her life.

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