Vance Ta Sunke Witko II
May 1, 1982 ~ September 6, 2016
Vance Ta Sunke Witko II, 34, of Dupree passed away, Tuesday, September 6, 2016 at I.H.S. Hospital, Eagle Butte.
Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m., MDT, Tuesday, September 13, 2016 at the Dupree Multipurpose Building with Mother Margaret Watson officiating. Burial followed in the Dupree City Cemetery. An all-night wake service began at 7:00 p.m., MDT, Monday, September 12, 2016 at the Dupree Multipurpose Building.
Vance was born on May 1, 1982 in Eagle Butte, South Dakota to the late Deanna Faye Clown Kerstiens. He was raised in the Dupree area by his grandparents, the late True and Nancy (Iron Bird) Clown Sr. He attended grade school at Dupree School and graduated from Takini High School in 2001. Vance attended college at United Tribes Technical College.
Vance started working when he turned 18. He liked working in construction, mostly building houses. He worked at the Cheyenne River Housing Authority building houses and also various construction jobs in Rapid City, SD and Bismarck, ND. Vance was a Certified Apprentice Plumber. He received training for Job Site Safety Orientation for Construction and NUDURA Installation Course.
Growing up, Vance went everywhere with his Lala True Clown Sr. He enjoyed being outdoors. He liked to go hunting and fishing with his brothers. He loved to tell stories about his adventures hunting and all the crazy things he did with them. He wanted to go hunting one more time but left us too soon.
Vance resided in Lower Brule, where he loved playing with his son, taking him for walks, and going to the park. He was excited for baby Vance to go to head start; he took him to his school physical, dental, and eye exam appointments. He liked to cook and make gabubu bread. He loved to eat breakfast food.
Vance is survived by his wife, Louise Ta Sunke Witko and their son, Vance Ta Sunke Witko III of Lower Brule; step-daughter: Laney Eagle Shield of Lower Brule; his brothers/uncles; Gray Kerstiens of Timber Lake, True (Wenelle) Clown Jr. of Bismarck, ND, Bradley (Paulette) Clown of Eagle Butte, and Andre “Todd” Clown of Bull Creek; sisters/aunts: Inez (Bevin Circle Eagle Jr.) of Red Scaffold, Priscilla (Leon) Hale of Rapid City, Michelle (Sullivan) White Wolf of Bull Creek, and Trude Clown (David Dupris Jr.) of Eagle Butte.
Vance is preceded in death by his mother, Deanna Clown Kerstiens; grandparents, True and Nancy (Iron Bird) Clown Sr.; brother, Raymon Clown Sr.; and many other relatives.
Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Vance’s arrangements.
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My sincere sympathy to the family and friends of Vance. The loss of our dear loved ones can be very difficult and distressing to cope with. It has helped myself and others when we remember that they now safely rest in the loving memory of our Grand Creator, waiting for the fulfillment of His promised purpose. Also, may your own good and loving memories of Vance help to soothe your hearts. Sincerely ( Revelation 21 : 3-5; Acts 24 : 15; Psalms 37 : 11, 34 )