Vernon Iron Cloud | July 30, 1929 - July 20, 2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jul 21, 2022 | 11:49 AM / 418 views
Funeral services for Vernon Iron Cloud, 92, of Wakpala will be at 11 AM, Saturday, July 30, 2022 at the Wakpala School Gym. Burial will be at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Family and friends will leave Kesling Funeral Home on Friday at 5 PM to process to the gym for an all night wake with a prayer service at 7 PM. Vernon passed away Wednesday July 20, 2022 at Avantara Pierre Care Center.
Vernon S. Iron Cloud was born on July 30, 1929, to Jasper and Mabel (Eagle) Iron Cloud in Wakpala, Corson County, South Dakota. After the death of his dad in 1932, his mom remarried, and they moved to Little Eagle where he attended grade school for a short time until he went to live with his grandparents, John and Sara (Iron Cloud) Red Hawk.
Vernon attended school in Wakpala. While living with his grandparents, he enjoyed driving them in the team wagon from church to church on Sundays as his grandpa John was a minister for St. Elizabeth Church. He had many fond memories of his grandparents, always remembering their words of wisdom that they shared. It was his grandma Sara that had given him his Lakota name Okicintawa. There were many times when he talked about his grandparents and that his grandpa John was a good man.
From 1948-1950, Vernon served in the National Guard, Company F, 196th Infantry, Mobridge, South Dakota. From 1950-1952 he served in the Army and was sent to Korea. He was a proud member of Company C 8th Infantry Regement, based in Germany. He received a rifle marksmanship award and a certificate of honor following the unprovoked attack on Korea. He was honorably discharged. Throughout his military service, he made many friends, and on occasion would share memories of his fellow comrades; Jim Spiry, Amos Pay Pay, Peter Three Legs, Tom Aman, and Melvin Jewett, to name a few.
Growing up, the friends he made had mothers who thought of him as a son. Those ladies were Margaret Hawk and Matilda Three Legs. He had much respect and admiration for these beautiful ladies.
He met Theo Goodhouse and they married on August 30, 1953, at St. Elizabeth Church. They made their home near Snake Creek west of Mobridge for the next 66 years. To this union, 8 children were born, Conrad, Sylvester, Vernetta, Jasper, Theron, Arnold, Verna, and Verlinda.
Vernon worked numerous jobs to support his family. He worked for TWEP Construction and helped to build what is now the Aberdeen Youth Treatment Center. He also worked his ranch over the years and retired in 1986. He had a love for horses from when he was big enough to ride as a young boy. He broke horses to ride and gave special care and attention to his horses as he believed they were sacred. He had a strong connection with his horses.
His hobby was leather work and making parfleche bags and boxes out of rawhide. He carefully designed each one, putting good thoughts and good energy into each one he made.
Vernon overcame many things in his lifetime, from being forced to speak English to surviving boarding school, and overcoming alcoholism, just to name a few. He often told his children to pray when things got tough, his grandparents gave him that advice.
He believed in the Lakota way of life and earned the right to do ceremonies. He was humbled when asked to do ceremonies or even pray at gatherings. To some of the young kids that he had the honor of doing a naming ceremony for, he became Grandpa or Uncle. He was happy to hear the Lakota language was being revived as the Lakota language was his first language. He was one of the last few dozen that are fluent speakers on Standing Rock.
In 2000 he was presented with an honorary high school diploma by Susan Smit, and honor he was very proud of. He encouraged the younger generations to get an education or training so they would have an easier time finding a job.
Vernon and his wife loved going to Pow Wows. He sang with Lake Side drum group, where he was the last of the original singers. After the passing of the other original singers; Wilbur Three Legs, Jimmy Three Legs, Mervill End of Horn, Abel Catch the Bear, George Ducheneaux and Clayton Cath the Bear, he continued to sing with his nephews; Pete, Stoney, Bill, and Gilbert (RIP) and others.
He served on the Pardon Board for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe for 2 years along with Joseph Keeps Eagle, Richard Ramsey, and Adele Little Dog.
Through his dad Jasper Iron Cloud, his grandfather was Chief Mahpiya Maza, also known as Peter Iron Cloud. He was so proud to be a descendant of a very honorable Warrior that fought in the Battle of Greasy Grass, also known as The Battle of Little Big Horn.
On July 20, 2022, at 5:04 pm, he began his journey to the spirit world with his two daughters, Verna and Verlinda and his nurse Tina by his side. His passing marks the end of his generation as all his siblings have gone before him.
Vernon is survived by his son; Jasper Iron Cloud (Elizabeth), daughters; Vernetta Logg, Verna Gone, Verlinda Iron Cloud, Sharon (Everett) Nelson, and Connie Yearsly (hunka daughter). Grandchildren; Connie Comeau, Vanessa Fast Horse, Josh Iron Cloud Sr., Bryan Phillips, Kourtenay Schley (Eric), Tara Iron Cloud, Lynette Logg, Montie Iron Cloud, Nettie Farmer (Dale), Bonnie Iron Cloud, Francis DuBray, Theron V. Iron Cloud, Tomi (Dusty) American Horse, Arnold Iron Cloud Jr., Delores Valdavinos, Carrie Coffman, Antoinette (Darwin) Torres, and Erica Nelson. 58 Great Grandchildren; 1 great great granddaughter; Josephine E. Comeau, Goddaughters; Carmen Goodhouse and Henrietta Girton. First cousins on his mom’s side, who all treated each other as brothers and sisters; Andrew Gray, Jon Eagle, Jonas Gray, Clarice Medicine Stone, Darlene Williams, Bernadine Francisco, Rose DeCoteau, Maria Redday, Betty Dwarf, Bonita Redday, Verzella Gray, Imelda Eagle, and Sylvester Yellow Back, Vi Eagle, Angie Eagle, and Ivis Eagle. Nephews; Delbert Iron Cloud, Cornelius Iron Cloud, Richard Iron Cloud, Ed Iron Cloud III, Jeff Iron Cloud, Jerry Iron Cloud, Orlin Iron Cloud, Alvin Iron Cloud, David Iron Cloud, Pat Iron Cloud, Warren Hawk, Danny Hawk, and Patrick Hawk, Sr. Nieces; Barbara Renville, Myra Bendickson, Lenore Iron Cloud, Alberta Miller, Ethleen Two Dogs, Eileen Iron Cloud, Emily Iron Cloud, Candy Iron Cloud, Dawn Iron Cloud, Bobette Patton, Deb Iron Cloud-Jensen, Esther Iron Cloud, Hazel Bull Bear, Irene Tuttle, Alice Wilcox, Dawn Eagle, Margie Hawk, Donna Martel, Jo Sanders, Lola Blaine, Andy Valdez, Ann Bobtail Bear, Melinda Mutchler, Lila Long Feather, Darlene Martinez, Lisa Eagle, Cari Montoya, and Pat Iron Cloud.
Vernon was greeted into the spirit world by his wife Theo, mom, Mabel Eagle, dad, Jasper Iron Cloud, grandparents, John and Sara Red hawk, brothers; Thomas Iron Cloud, Pete Iron Cloud, Melvin Shoots the Enemy, Francis Red Legs, sister; Philomine Bonner, sons; Conrad Iron Cloud, Sylvester Iron Cloud, Theron Iron Cloud, Arnold Iron Cloud Sr., and Grandchildren; Deidre Iron Cloud, Terrill Iron Cloud, and Angie Iron Cloud.