Everette Poor Thunder 1937-2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Apr 12, 2022 | 9:26 AM / 726 views
Everette Poor Thunder of Bismarck, North Dakota
October 16, 1936 – April 4, 2022
Funeral services for Everette Poor Thunder, 85, of McLaughlin will be at 11 AM, Tuesday, April 12, 2022 at the McLaughlin Blue Gym. Burial will be at the All Nations Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Wake services will be at 7 PM Monday at the blue gym. Family will leave Kesling Funeral Home at 4 PM. Monday. Everette passed away Monday, April 4, 2022 at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck.
Everette Daniel Poor Thunder was born to Marie (Parks) and Luke Poor Thunder on October 16, 1936, in a tent in the village of Red Shirt Table, Pine Ridge, SD. At that time he joined big sisters, Lillian, Ruth, big brother Charles, Idabelle and Edith. Later on little sisters: Ethel, Hazel, Marie, and Charlotte would complete the family. Sister Idabelle died in 1947 at the age of 16. His parents later on divorced and Marie moved to Rapid City with all the children. Marie later met and married Felix Fly Sr. and helped him with raising Thomas, Felix Jr., Andrew and Jean.
He was raised on the Ogalala Sioux Nation, completing school up to the 9th grade. The family later moved to Rapid City, SD.
He joined the Army during the Korean Conflict in 1953. He earned various certificates, badges, and campaign ribbons: National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Marksman Qualifications Badge with rifle & Recoilless Rifle Bars and Expert Qualification Badge with Carbine Bar and was honorably discharged in 1957. He was a member of the Rock Creek American Legion Post #324, and an honorary member of the Little Eagle American Legion Post #239, and Bullhead American Legion Post #82.
He met and married Myrtle Fast Horse on June 17, 1957, and from this union a daughter, Mona Ellen and three sons: Marley Everette, Marlow Eric, and Marty Earl were born. They later divorced in 1973. He married Jackie Quick Bear and later divorced, no children to this union. He met Cleo LaMont and had a son, Michael Gayton. He married Audrey Red Bird, no children to this union, and then she later died in a car crash. Lastly, a son Everette Poor Thunder Jr., with Irene. He has a total of 17 grandchildren.
He met and married Irene Chapman in 1995 and remained married until his passing. Stepchildren include: Bernita (Don) Granbois, Gene Daniels, Michelle (William Jr.) Ridley, Donise Red Horn, Vernetta Chapman, Charley Chapman, Mildred Daniels, Ernestine Yellow, Williamette (Shawn Crow Ghost) Archambault, Patrick Archambault and son, Everette Poor Thunder Jr.
He enjoyed horseback riding and took in the rodeo circuit competing as a bareback and saddle bronc rider as a bull rider, attending rodeos throughout South and North Dakota, Montana, Wyoming and Nebraska and Ontario, Canada. One of the memorable times was competing along with the well-known Casey Tibbs, a six-time saddle bronc Champion. He also had fond memories of working on the historic construction of the Oahe Dam at Fort Pierre, SD. He worked various jobs throughout his lifetime working road construction, laborer-type jobs and his last job was water drilling on Ogalala and Rosebud Sioux Nations. Later he worked for Joe Hartman on the Standing Rock Sioux Nation. After retirement his main pastime and enjoyment was going to the casinos, watching rodeos and pow-wows during the summertime. He also enjoyed playing card games in the winter, spending time with his loved ones, taking time to visit all his relatives near and far, and playing with the grandchildren, always reminding them of his love for them. He enjoyed telling stories of the old days, cowboy days and other days as well. He loved to tease a lot, and at times it may have gotten him into trouble but that contagious laughter he had, would meld all those troubles away.
He leaves behind his wife, Irene Poor Thunder of 27 years, daughter Mona Poor Thunder, of Auburn, WA, Monas’ children Carolyn (grandchildren Hellana and Everette), Danielle (Michelle), John (Faith) and Sidney and the 12 grandchildren from his deceased sons (Marley and Marlow), and son Everette Poor Thunder Jr., also his stepchildren, Gene Daniels, Sr., Ernestine (Leland Brown) Yellow, Mildred Daniels, Bernita (Don) Granbois, Michelle (Bill) Ridley, Vernetta Chapman, Charley Chapman, Williamette (Shawn Crow Ghost) Archambault, 28 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Sisters Edith (Charles) White of McLaughlin, SD, Ethel (Henry) Smith of Tacoma, WA, Marie Jackson, Rapid City, SD and Charlotte Neal, Rapid City, SD, sister in laws, Shirley White Buffalo and Joann Kidder, Janice Hamilton, Allen Buckle’s Verlene Denny, Devin Magnum and grandchildren, adopted son, Kirk Flying Horse Sr., adopted daughters, Robin Spotted Horse and Barbara Mousseau, special nephews, Gillard White, Darrell Brushbreaker, Sr., Dale Poor Thunder and Patrick Randall, special nieces, Shirley Poor Thunder and Fern Poor Thunder, Starlet Fills The Pipe and Ida Brushbreaker and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, and grandchildren that are too many to list.
He was preceded in death by his children, sons, Marley, Marlow and Marty, parents, Luke and Marie (Parks) Poor Thunder, sisters, Lillian Bad Hand, Ruth Yellow Eagle, Hazel Feole, and Idabelle, and older brother, Charles Poor Thunder. Stepbrother Thomas Fly, Felix Fly Jr., Andrew Fly and stepsister Jean (Ervin Wells) Fly.