Anthony Shoestring | 1941 - 2024
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Jan 29, 2024 | 5:01 PM / 99 views
Anthony Roger Shoestring, Sr., a proud veteran of the US Navy, passed away on January 26, 2024 at Sanford Medical Center, Bismarck, ND.
Wake and prayer services will be on Sunday, February 4, 2024, at 7pm (central time zone) in Bullhead, SD at the Rock Creek District School Gym with Brother George Mauffort officiating.
Funeral services will be Monday, February 5, 2024 at 10am (central time zone) in Fort Yates, ND at the St. Peters Catholic Church with Monsignor Chad Gion officiating. Burial will be at 1pm (central time zone) at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, 4606 Highway 1806, Mandan, ND 58554.
Anthony was born June 16, 1941 in Bullhead, SD but grew up with his family in Blackhorse, SD—a small village south of McIntosh, SD.
His parents were Jerome and Margaret Shoestring (Iron Thunder). He had five sisters, Bessie, Audrey, Mary Rose, Judy, and Eileen, and he had two brothers, Leroy and Kermin Shoestring.
As a boy, Anthony attended grade school in Blackhorse, SD, where he graduated from the 8th grade. He began Jr. High School in Fort Yates, ND, but transferred to McIntosh High School in McIntosh, SD, where he received his High School diploma. While living in Aberdeen, SD, with his wife and children, Anthony obtained his Associates Degree in Accounting from the Aberdeen School of Commerce.
As the eldest son of Jerome and Margaret Shoestring, Anthony loved his family very much and has always worked hard to provide for them. While a boy still attending school, Anthony worked as a ranch hand for Leo Dillman. After graduating from high school, Anthony enlisted in the US Navy, where he completed two tours in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. The first tour was in 1964 and the second tour was in 1966. Anthony was a Radioman in the Operations and Communications Division. After an honorable discharge from the US Navy, Anthony worked as teacher for Bullhead Head Start. Anthony and his wife and children then moved to Aberdeen, SD. While living in Aberdeen, SD, Anthony attended college and worked at the Bureau of Indian Affairs as an accountant technician. After graduating college, Anthony and his wife and children returned to Standing Rock where he worked in Finance department for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe and later, worked for Standing Rock Ambulance as a payroll clerk. Before retiring, Anthony worked at the Standing Rock Bureau of Indian Affairs as a finance technician.
As a teenager, Anthony met his wife, Ruby Shoestring (Blanket), in Bullhead, SD. After proposing to Ruby, Anthony told his parents of his intentions to marry. Anthony and Ruby obtained their marriage license in McIntosh, SD and then married at the Catholic Church in McLaughlin, SD. Anthony and Ruby’s first language is Lakota. It was very special to him to be able to speak Lakota with his wife, Ruby, throughout his life.
Anthony and Ruby have been married for 60 years as of 2024.
Anthony and Ruby had three sons, Troy Shoestring, Jerome Shoestring, and Anthony Shoestring, Jr., and have one daughter, Alvonne Penola (Shoestring). In his retirement, Anthony loved and cared for all of his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. He was especially proud to raise his grandson, Troy Shoestring, and his granddaughter, Lakota “Audrey” Shoestring, whom he adopted.
Proud to have served in the US military and also proud of servicemen past and present, Anthony was an American Legion Commander for Bullhead American Legion Post 82 for 10 years.
In addition, Anthony was a lifetime member of Ralph Lehr VFW Post 6346 in Noblesville, Indiana, courtesy of his niece, Gina Loy, a US Marine Corps. Veteran. Anthony was very proud of his niece, Gina Loy and her husband, Rob Loy, who is also a US Marine Corps. Veteran.
In 2023, Anthony honored his daughter, Alvonne Penola, at the VJ Day Powwow in Bullhead, SD. Anthony said it was important to him to honor his daughter for her service in the US Navy Reserve and the US Army. He was very proud of her.
Throughout the years, Anthony also maintained a close friendship with his buddy Jerry Elrod—a fellow US Navy Veteran from Habersham County, Georgia. Anthony and Jerry completed two tours in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. Both were Radiomen in the Operations and Communications Division. In 2023, Jerry Elrod and family drove 1,537 miles (over 3,000 miles round trip) from Habersham County, Georgia to Fort Yates, North Dakota to spend time and catch-up with Anthony and his family. Anthony was forever grateful for this friendship.
In Anthony’s retirement, he loved caring for his grandchildren and his great-grandchildren. He enjoyed fixing cars, reading the Teton Times, watching the news, professional wrestling, PBR, football, Molly B’s Polka Party, and other classic shows with his wife, Ruby. Whether it was in his cars or his home, he often listened to SiriusXM stations “Willie’s Roadhouse” and “50’s Gold”, as the music reminded him of he and Ruby’s youth. He also enjoyed caring for his families’ pets.
Anthony will be dearly missed by his family and his friends. He was the best son, brother, husband, grandpa, uncle, and friend.
Anthony is preceded in death by his sons, Troy Shoestring, Jerome Shoestring, and Anthony Shoestring, Jr., his parents, Jerome and Margaret Shoestring, his brothers, Leroy Shoestring and Kermin Shoestring, his sisters, Audrey Red Bird, Mary Rose Yellow Earrings, Judy Lawrence, and Bessie Shoestring, paternal grandmother, Annie Antelope, paternal grandfather, Edgar Shoestring, maternal grandparents, Gertrude and Joseph Iron Thunder, and sister-in-law, Ardys Salinas Frias (Little Eagle).
Anthony is survived by his wife of 60 years, Ruby Shoestring, his daughter, Alvonne (Ray) Penola, special grandchildren, Troy Shoestring and Lakota “Audrey” Shoestring, sister, Eileen Shoestring, other grandchildren, Alicia Gates, Charles (Kalynn) Gates, Scottie Gates, Kate (David) Gates, Laticia Padilla, Sidney Little Eagle, Jude Shoestring, Suri Gayton, Tatanka Yellow Earrings, Makoche Yellow Earrings, Jamie Hertel, Jr., Jordan Hertel, Jezmyn Hertel, Janae Hertel, Christopher Loy, Olympia Red Bird, Maria Red Bird, Anna Red Bird, Dana Otter Robe, Dawn Otter Robe, Jerome Yellow Earrings, and many other grandchildren; great-grandchildren, Embry Gates and Oliver Knoll, nephews, Elston Yellow Earrings, David Yellow Earrings, Edgar Yellow Earrings, Dana Yellow Earrings, Todd (Debbie) Shoestring, Justin Shoestring, nieces, Nicole (Wes) White Eagle, Tami Yellow Earrings, Marie Shoestring, Liza (Jamie) Lawrence, Jessi (Luis) Red Bird, Gina (Rob) Loy, and other special family, Elenjo Strom Schaff, Laverne Eagle, Frank Eagle, Susan Eagle, Ben Eagle, Theophile Eagle, Anne Eagle, Dellis Agard, Bessie Agard, Susan Agard, Cindy Agard, Joette Agard, uncle, Leonard Village Center, and his beloved tuxedo cat, Chester. We sincerely apologize if we have missed anyone, Anthony he had many friends and relatives.