Sharon Swiftbird

Sharon Elizabeth Swift Bird, 58, of Eagle Butte, entered the spirit world Tuesday, July 18, 2023, at Monument Health, Rapid City, SD. 

Funeral services will be 1:00 p.m. MDT, Friday, July 28, 2023, at the Bingo Hall, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in the LDS Cemetery, Cherry Creek.  A wake service will be 6:00 p.m., Thursday, July 27, 2023, at the Bingo Hall, with a procession from the 4-Mile at 4:00 p.m. 

Sharon Elizabeth Swift Bird was born at home in Cherry Creek on November 14, 1964, to Genevieve and Nathan Swift Bird. Sharon was one of eight siblings, seven girls, and one boy. Sharon resided in Cherry Creek until 1972 when her family moved to Eagle Butte, SD. Shortly after, Sharon moved to Glasgow, MT as her father pursued his degree in accounting. Sharon moved back to Eagle Butte, SD with her family until she went on the Indian Placement Program that was hosted by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Sharon decided she needed a change from the Indian Placement Program and attended the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School. During her senior year, Sharon enrolled in the Job Corp Program in Clearfield, UT, where she received her G.E.D.

Sharon welcomed four children, April Faith, Lorna Rose, Candace Leigh, and Samuel Rufus. They resided in Pierre, SD, until Sharon relocated her small family in 1992 to Eagle Butte, SD. Sharon was a very attentive and loving mother. Sharon continually monitored her children to make sure they were safe, healthy, happy, and doing well in their academic endeavors because to her, their intelligence mattered. 

Sharon had her academic interests and pursued her associate degree in Lakota Studies and completed her program on June 24, 2012. She then obtained her Bachelor of Arts in Lakota Studies on June 18, 2017. Sharon used her Lakota knowledge by sharing it with the children of the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte and Takini School systems. Sharon was proud to serve the families and students of our Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Reservation. 

In 2012, Sharon gained, what was clear to anyone who knew her, the brightest time in her life. Sharon became the legal guardian to Evan Elias Swift Bird, her grandson. The amount of love, attention, and care Sharon had for Evan was unmeasurable. In Sharon’s eyes, Evan could do no wrong. Although Sharon lived to care for Evan, she also gave the same kind of love to all of her grandchildren. 

Sharon always asked, planned, and attended family gatherings, she rarely missed one. When she was there, she would make each of her grandchildren feel how special she thought they were. She gave them each individual attention, whether they were full-grown adults or tiny babies and asked them specific questions about their life. Before Sharon would leave, she would give everyone a hug and tell them how much she loved them. Sharon may have lived a humble life, but she always put her children, grandchildren, and family first. And…oh how our family will miss Sharon’s exit from our family functions.

Sharon will be remembered for her loving heart, helpful hand, and honking horn as she came to pick up the next person. Sharon tried to help as many as she could, even if it meant putting herself out of what she needed. Our family thanks and thanked Sharon for everything she tried to do for us. 

Sharon is survived by her two daughters, April Swift Bird, Eagle Butte, SD, and Candace Stapley (Matt), Atlanta, GA; son, Samuel Swift Bird, Rapid City, SD; grandson/son, Evan Swift Bird, Rapid City, SD; three sisters: Dale Iron Lightning, Eagle Butte, Eleanor Iron Lightning, Salt Lake City, UT, Connie Swift Bird, Eagle Butte, SD; brothers, Garland Iron Lightning and Carlton Buffalo, both of Eagle Butte, SD; grandkids: Joshua, Meredith, Rosie, Marie, JC, Emilia, Link, Ezra, Andrea, Daniel, Summer, Ash, Reagan, Grant, Larry, Sariah, Lorna, Genevieve, Loukas, Wakinya, Wayne, Allaura, John, Angelica, Angel, Sunni, Thomas, Tyler, Robin, Chloe, Zoey, Bella, Nicole and Natalie; and great granddaughter, O’hiniya, and the rest of her great grandkids. 

She was preceded in death by her parents, Genevieve, and Nathan Swift Bird; grandparents, Margaret Morrison, and Doller and Mercy (Swift Bird) Tourgen; sisters, Leah Eagle Chasing, Lorna Iron Lightning, Mary Margret; daughter, Lorna Brown Wolf; and nephew, Emmett Iron Lightning Schad.

The family thanks each of you who entered her life and gave her something to smile or talk about. We are especially thankful to the Indian Health Service, Eagle Butte, SD, and the Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN for the care and concern of her health. 

Toksa’ ake’ waciankinkte’ (I will see you again).

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