Funeral services for Sullivan White Wolf, 75, of Red Scaffold will be 1:00 PM Thursday, November 12, 2020 at the White Wolf Family Ranch. Interment will be at the 96 SW White Wolf Ranch Family Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. All night wake will be Wednesday, November 11, 2020 begin at 4:00 PM with a prayer at 7:00 PM. Sullivan passed away Wednesday, November 4, 2020, at Monument Health Care in Rapid City.

Sullivan M. White Wolf

“Wanakiksan”

(March 21, 1945 – November 4, 2020)

The Man, The Myth, The Legend, Sullivan was a family man, a kind, humble man who strongly believed in his language and traditional culture. A man who believed in gentlemen agreements, who was supportive and dedicated to living in two worlds. He lived an “awesome” life as he would say. He was always content with what he had worked for, nothing more or nothing less. He always looked forward to rodeo season, as he would say “catch up with family & friends” on the rodeo trail. He will truly be missed. We do not doubt that he is already entered and waiting on the draw and hoping Jess or Art will be the pick and grandson KC will be cheering them on.

Sullivan was raised around rodeo, as his dad raised bucking horses when he was young. Eddie Bachamn used some of the White Wolf horses in his various rodeos. He lived in Red Scaffold all his life. Bull Riding was Sullivan’s rodeo event until he was 26 years old and in 1970 Ed Widow asked him to heel for him at the Timber lake Rodeo, they placed and Sullivan had the “Roping bug” He did not stop since then. Sullivan credits Ed Widow and Jess Knight for his love of roping. Heeling was Sullivan’s choice when he began in 1970, but as time went on he started heading and really enjoyed it. He set his goals to become the best team roper that he could be.

Sullivan had won many saddles, buckles and awards. His first S.D.R.A Senior men’s breakaway finals average champion in 1999 and this was one of his goals for the ‘99 rodeo season. He won the S.D.R.A Finals average again in 2000 and cinched the year-end championship, he said he fulfilled both of his goals for the 00’ season. He has won many saddles at various team ropings. Sullivan was very successful in Team Roping and Sr. Men’s Breakaway in G.P.I.R.A, N.P.I.R.A, N.R.C.A, N.D.R.A and S.D.R.A. Sullivan felt that his most exciting run was at the Howard Hunter Memorial rodeo in Kyle SD where he won there with a time of 1.12 seconds. His goal since that time had been to match or beat this time. He was known as the man with the quick rope and this earned him the co-champion buckle for the S.D.R.A. Sr. Men’s Breakaway Year End Fast time with a 1.90 seconds at the Seven Downs Arena.

Sullivan roped on a horse named “Diamond” that was born and raised on the ranch. Diamond was trained and used by his son Huey as a heeling horse and after a bit Sullivan and Diamond began their journey together. In 2000 He and Diamond won the G.P.I.R.A.and the S.D.R.A Champion saddles. Sullivan felt that 2000 was his best year for championships in two rodeo associations.

Sullivan believed that hard work, dedication and the support of his family had helped him achieve his goals and the championships. His goal after 2000 was to win at least four more saddles, one in each of the rodeo associations he participated in which was the S.D.R.A, N.R.C.A, N.D.R.A and the G.P.I.R.A. Sullivan exceeded his goals and won numerous saddles in years to follow.

The rodeo trail led Sullivan to many states just to rope in either team roping or breakaway roping. As he travelled he always listened to his favorite CD, Waylon Jennings, the Outlaws. During his travels he made many long time friends that eventually became family in some way. The rodeo family, always joking and teasing as they met at the rodeos. His humor is something that will be missed by most who knew him well. Sullivan had a strategy for roping, which meant he had to be at every rodeo first to watch the cattle run and he sure knew how to score the cattle, but he knew how to win on pretty much whatever cattle he drew. He claimed it wasn’t just him because Diamond wanted to win too. Diamond was not only his horse but his best friend.

Sullivan was humble yet proud that he beat the stereotype label that lingered, he was alcohol and drug free after he got married in 1965. He worked very hard for all that he and his wife, Lillian owned. He believed in working hard and having a strong work ethic was unbeatable. It’s just the way he was. He worked before the sun came up and worked well after it went down. Sullivan worked at Takini School in the transportation department for 29 years and with the Dupree School driving the Bridger route this past school year.

Sullivan was honored by the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe as a “Living Legend” and was very proud of his dedication in achieving this.

Sullivan’s family includes his best friend/ partner in crime, his beloved wife Lillian. Together they have 3 kids. Kim, Huey, and Crissy Jo. Sullivan’s pride and joy were his grandchildren, Ricki Jade, Colin, (Vanessa), LaRissa, Cole, Dexter White Wolf, Tyler and Thunder, Madison, Monica Chesarek. Great-grandkids, Teo White Wolf Traversie, KC White Wolf, Wes White Wolf, and Landon White Wolf.

Sullivan’s siblings includes Sadie White Wolf, Burtis White Wolf & Family, Elvira White Wolf & Family, Jackie (Reggie) LeClaire & Family, the late Isadore White Wolf & Family, Goldstein Little Eagle, Frieda White Wolf-Smith & Family,

He was preceded in death by his parents, Moses & Orpha White Wolf, sister Jaycelle White Wolf, infant brother Lanley White Wolf, grandmother Edith War Bonnet, nephew Marvin White Wolf. & Diamond.

Family includes Thetna (Beans) Weston & Family, LeRae (Blaine) Small and Family, Jamie Murray, Stef (Chance) Wimberly & Family, Matt Mattlick, Dick Linhardt, Beverly (Delmar) Clown, Joy Circle Eagle, Helene Circle Eagle & Family, Myris Reidl, Shantoya (Delbert) Bruguier & Family, Hank Taken Alive & Family, Bruce Brown Wolf, Butch Felix, Kristen Lawrence, Molly Dupris, Roxee Holloway, Natalie Hand, Barry Hand, Cakes (Gilbert) Janis & Family, Jim Sheridan & Family, Ed Widow & Family, Delica (Jon) Hiserote & Family, Marcy (Ted) Miner & Family, Sue Cody & Family, Shayna Cody-Traversie and family, Dana Brave Eagle & Family, Steve (Rose) Chesarek, Jordyn (Johnathan) Bald Eagle & Family, Jason (Nicole) White Wolf & Family, Ft Yates-Taken Alive Tiospaye

Pallbearers: Dex White Wolf, Rex Morrison, Colin White Wolf, Cole White Wolf, Jade White Wolf, Jon Hiserote, Dean Dupris, BJ White Wolf, Tyler Cherarek, Derek LeClaire

Honorary Bearers: Gary (Ramona) Simons, Mark (Leslie) Cuny, Kristin (Jeremy) Ferguson, Jewel (Don) Bettleyoun, Scott Weston & Family, Tom Williams, Lee Hicks, Frank (Jamie) Lawrence, Fluff Bettleyoun, Phil Bettleyoun, Ike Bettleyoun, Jerry (Sue) Golliher & Family, Cort Sears, Jack Ward, Pat (Lona) Tibbs, Red Lemmel, Kelly (Lorna) Shoemaker, Rocky Tibbs, Jeff Belkham, Shanna Simon & Family, Monica Lind & Family, Susan Heathershaw, Bobbie Jacobs, Shawn Billy, Everett Hunt, John Hunt & Family, Jim Hunt & Family, Grady Matt & Family, Mickey Simons & Family, Berk Knight, Lucy Knight & Family, Karen Knight & Family, Carole Hollers, Jr. Small, Allen (Sharon) Fisher, Alfred Armajo, Jake Longbrake & Family, JD (Patty) Williams, Steve Pourier, Dusty LeBeau, Brenda Wilson, John Heidler, Rita (Tony) Murray & Family, Don (Una Lee) Howe & Family, Janelle (Todd) Ward & Family, Vernon Small, Harold Frazier, Remi Bald Eagle & Family, Matt Vogel & Family, John Bachman, Maggie (Clark) Iron Hawk & Family, Shane Oakie & Family, Daren Oakie, Tiger Veit, Barry Oakie, Darcy Harper, Dave (Karen) Hump & Family, Brian Charging Cloud & Family, Delight Halfred, Connie Blue Legs & Family, Glenda Thunder Hoop, Moses High Elk, Gillis Bear Stops, Bernadine Dupris & Family, Kermit Dupris & Family, Dana Dupris & Family, Dolly (Buddy) Knife & Family, Johnny (Sharon) Holloway, Kenny Traversie, Bill (Margaret) Gunville, Ben Janis, Eric Watson, Darryl Watson, Tim Jandreau, Bart Ness, Larry Ness, Dallas Louden, Jimmy Reeves, Terry Fisher, Robert & Keith Alkire, Bruz Luger, Kurt Luger, Everett Hall, Dale Hall, Robert Gipp, Zane Gipp, Neil Carlson, John Hoven, Clayton Hagel, Craig Nelson, Frank White Calf, Roy Lemmon, Romey Gunville, Seth Weishar, Clint Whipple, Josh Whipple, Mahlon Jefferies, Shawn Bianas, Walt Swan, Pete Longbrake, Gary Vance, Tim Berinstein, Brian Olsen,Vernon Starr, Billy Meyers, Ty and Shawn Ruland, Dick Butler, Bisco and Jimmy Starr & family, J.B Lord, Jay Schwabe, Myron Mann, McPhearson family, Steve Mcdaniels, DeeAnn Eagle Chasing & Family, Jody and Jihan Charging Eagle, Kerry (Dianne) Burgee, Monica Lind, Guy (Shanna) Howell, Dr. Sasson, the Eagle Butte IHS, the Monument Health-Rapid City, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe, the State Bank Bank, the Western Dakota Bank, Red Scaffold Tri Community Development. We apologize if we have forgotten anyone not mentioned. He treasured his friendships

Due to the COVID Pandemic and accordance with the CRST ordinance in regards to funerals, Sullivan’s family will have a traditional memorial, feed and giveaway after a year depending on when restrictions are lifted.

Address for Cards

Lillian White Wolf

P.O Box 232

Faith South Dakota 57626

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