Fredrick Middletent

Fredrick W. “Jack” Middletent, 70, of Chamberlain, journeyed to the spirit world Thursday, April 21, 2011 at Sanford USD Medical Center in Sioux Falls, SD from complications due to pneumonia. 

Funeral services were held at 1:00 p.m., Wednesday, April 27, 2011 at All Saints Episcopal Church, Fort Thompson with Mother Liz Powers and Father Kim Fonder officiating. Burial followed at All Saints Cemetery, Fort Thompson.  A wake was held at 8:00 p.m., Tuesday, April 26, 2011 at the church.

Fredrick Wilson “Jack” Middletent was born on May 30, 1940, in the Big Bend District of the Crow Creek Reservation, to Ernest, Sr. and Adeline (Red Day) Middletent.  His early years were spent in Big Bend where he attended elementary school and later when the family moved to Fort Thompson, he attended Gann Valley High School.

Jack had a quiet personality but liked to joke and laugh.  He enjoyed spending time with all his buddies and playing softball.  One of the most comical times was when he played donkey baseball.  He made everyone laugh just trying to control the stubborn donkey.

Jack had a natural talent for mechanics, working on cars for others.  It was his own way of helping his friends and neighbors.  He was very good in his line of work.  While spending most of his life in Fort Thompson, because of failing physical health, he entered the Beverly Health Care – Golden Living Center in Pierre, South Dakota.  He later was transferred to the Care Center in Chamberlain, South Dakota.

Grateful to have shared in his life are his siblings: Donald Middletent, Gary Middletent, Winifred Middletent, Caroline Middletent and Irene Middletent; and many nieces and nephews.

Greeting him in the Spirit World along with his ancestors, being a descendant of Chief Dewey Beard, are his paternal grandparents, John and Kate (Little Dog) Middletent; maternal grandparents, Treon and Emma (Fast Walker) Red Day; parents, Ernest, Sr. and Adeline (Red Day) Middletent; two brothers, Stanford and Victor; three sisters, Ernestine, Victorine and Ruth.