Kelly Waloke

Kelly Waloke, 41, of Cherry Creek, passed away Sunday, August 24, 2025, at Cheyenne River Health Center, Eagle Butte. 

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. MDT, Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Cherry Creek Gym. Burial will follow in the Congregational Cemetery, Cherry Creek. Wake services will be 7:00 p.m., Sunday, September 7, 2025, at the gym, with a procession from the 2-Mile east of Cherry Creek at 4:00 p.m.

“Kelly” Kel Kennard Waloke “Nunpa Kte” (Kills Twice) was born March 4, 1984, at the IHS Hospital in Eagle Butte, SD. Kel started his life journey in Chanpha Wakpa until he moved to Rapid City with his family. He attended Youth & Family Services Head Start and General Beadle Elementary until he was in 5th grade in Rapid City, SD. He enjoyed his life in the city, had many friends and was always a good-hearted kid and student. There are so many beautiful memories of Kel while he was growing up, all special and now sacred. He especially had a great relationship with his auntie Darlene! 

Kel and family moved back to Cherry Creek to spend the last years with Grandpa Frank. He attended Dupree School for one year, 6th grade, then attended Takini School from 7th Grade until he graduated from Takini High School. He enjoyed playing basketball, where he was an exceptional ball player during his Jr. High years. He enjoyed being a part of the Quad state team where the team and his skills were exceptionally phenomenal. They won in their category, until he injured his knee. With that setback, he still had a passion for basketball. He always said that “If I couldn't be the player I once was, I’d help in any way I could.” 

He was very fond of his classmates and kept in touch with them as much as he could even after graduation. Kel attended Huron College with his sister-cousin Sheena, made many friends, and created many good memories while he was there. He was called “AND ONE” as he always had a basketball in his hands. He also attended Sithanka College in Eagle. Kel came home and stayed in Rapid City with his older sister Heidi for a while. He met Jenna Yellow Horse and from this union they had a little boy, Artorreus. Artorreus came back to Cherry Creek at the age of five months and was raised by his Dad, Grandma/Family. Kelly has many friends here at home, where he lived his life. He often visited with his relatives, traveling with them, helping them, making them laugh, listening to music and what not. He said he wanted to live like his grandpa Franklin, carefree and doing whatever he wanted on his own and would often remind his mom of this. He had a happy heart since he was small, loved all his friends and relatives, helped out whenever needed. He was a storyteller, (especially stories about werewolves, big foot, aliens, and things that were curious enough for his nieces/nephews to listen to. He was a jokester, a philosopher and enjoyed his life with his son, friends and family. He was brought up with the values of his grandparents, uncles, aunts and elders of the community. 

Kel’s family and relatives will all miss his big personality “Loud and Proud” since he was little. He always watched over his mom and family and reminded his mom he was her protector. He compared the family to a wolf pack that is loyal to each other. He often called himself a “Lone Wolf”, a wanderer, he lived by his family’s value and also his own morals, He prayed with his family at least once or twice a week, he held integrity and truth closest to his heart. He fought in battles nobody knew about, and he fought with heart and soul, all by himself. He was a warrior, one of the strongest anyone had ever witnessed, not because he seemed immovable and unwavering on the outside, but because he still held love and curiosity in his heart. He always had questions, and on the other hand, a flurry of answers for those who didn’t know they were seeking them. Kelly always shared his wisdom with the world; he turned his life experience into lessons for the next generation. 

Kel was especially very fond of his son and all he had accomplished, cheering him on in his own way, standing behind all he accomplished! Kel loved and enjoyed making Mexican food and was often called “Taco Kel” by his family members as he was crafty in how delicious and tasty he would cook his favorite dishes. He will be eternally missed by his family; he was the spice in our family dish. He’d rub his hands together before eating as he loved family gatherings, trips to town with his family and teaching his son how to cook and learn about life. He always remembered the friends he grew up with in school and how many took their journey! Our Son, Dad, Uncle, Grandpa walks upon the clouds in the land of the Star Nation to be embraced by our other relatives who have already taken their journey, you will always be missed. 

Kel leaves behind his heart: son, Artorreus; he was a beloved son to his Ina April and Pops; Dana, and nephew, Spirit; aunt, Darlene (Rod), Sheena (Rigoberto), Loa, Alex, Cami, Emily, Rosilyn and Isaac; oldest sister, Shantoya, Cadyn (Merrill); grandson, Paysen; nephews: Cayde and Coltyn Dupris, Paige, Juniper, Hunter and BoChamp; sister, Heidi, DayaNara, DyanIsis, Layla and grandsons Emerald and Tiny Beau; brother: Chastyn, Rain, Kobe, Thokala and MakaSa; Thakoza’s Wohpe and Wamniomni Bear Looks Running from his younger brother Talon; also sisters, DeeAnn Eagle Chasing and family and Radawn Widow and family; brothers: Paul, Jauron, and Duriel Widow and families; and many cousins and friends.

Our beloved will join his relatives in the Star Nation: two younger brothers, Tyson Beau and Talon J. LaClaire; sister, Tonia “Roxey” Widow; the great ones: Unci Edith Little Shield, Lala Frank Bear Looks Running Waloke; grandparents: Clementine and Lala Maurice Big Eagle, Edward and Delma Widow, Narcisse Widow, Irene Bagola, Franklin Bear Looks Running, and many more relatives. Toksa Ake 

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