Apr. 16, 1951 - Jan. 27, 2018
Date of Service: Feb. 6, 2018
(Cetan Ska Koksila)
BURLEY – Lyle Edison White Hawk, age 66, of Burley, died Saturday, Jan. 27, 2018, at his home.
Nine months after a brief courtship between Roselyn Agnes White Hawk and Johnny Ramirez, on April 16, 1951, a little boy was born to Roselyn. This child was named Lyle Edison White Hawk, due to unforseen circumstances Lyle was raised by his maternal grandparents, Clarence and Jessie (Kills Enemy) White Hawk. Lyle was fluent in the Lakota language, his first language at home was the Lakota language and English was secondary. Lyle was raised by his grandparents along with his sibling, Bernadette Jackie White Hawk. In the 60's an additional sibling Dolly was born to Roselyn and her spouse Frank Brothers.
During his younger years, Lyle was a comedian. He was a storyteller and would tell stories in Lakota. He was a very curious kid and would have to experience all the things around him. He was the Lakota version of “Dennis the Menace”. He enjoyed scaring and playing tricks on his sister and cousins. One of his stories that he was scared to admit was that he was always scared of the dark.
Lyle’s Mother Roselyn Agatha had siblings who died during infancy. Lyle grew up with most of his cousins during the 50's and 60's, his closest being Bud, the others that were close were cousins Eugenio and Martyna White Hawk. Lyle looked up to his uncles, aunts, and relatives who joined the military during World War I & II, Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Lyle and Jackie both were cared for by their loving grandparents along with cousins, they all were raised religiously through daily prayers and attended church. They grew up knowing what hard work was, grandpa did a lot of carpentry work, ranch work, labor work, working daily on his large vegetable garden and many other things. Grandma did all the house chores such as laundry, cleaning, cooking, baking, sewing, etc.
During the summer and early fall season grandpa would take part of his garden produce and sell them, grandma would complete many beaded moccasins and other bead work which were sold to buy necessities for the home. The children would help with the large garden, gather fire wood, haul water from the creek, they would all help grandpa and grandma do daily chores.
Lyle attended elementary school at the Manderson Day School, he attended high school at (OCS) Ogala Community School in Pine Ridge, South Dakota. Lyle was very close to his cousin Darrell (Bud) Reggio White Hawk, Bud and Lyle were raised together like brothers. Both had fun together hanging with friends and relatives, they grew up riding, breaking, and training horses.
During Lyle and Bud’s high school year his cousin Bud signed up and joined the US Army in 1968. The following year Lyle wanted to follow his cousin’s lead. He was still too young, being 17 years old, he talked with his grandmother about joining the Army, so she signed for him to go.
Lyle completed his basic training at Fort Leonard Wood Missouri. Lyle was reassigned and stationed at Fort Lewis Washington and ultimately he was shipped to Vietnam. The same year he was in Vietnam his cousin Bud completed his tour of duty and returned home.
On May 25, 1970, Lyle and Bud’s grandmother (Jessie) passed away from cancer, both were heart broke over their loss. Grandma was considered their loving mother.
After Lyle’s tour of duty in Vietnam and sometime after being discharged from the military he was married. Lyle and his wife later welcomed a baby girl into their life, they named her after his mother Roselyn. In or around 1985 Lyle and his wife were divorced.
He resided in Manderson with his uncle and aunt, Eugene and Bernice White Hawk family. Lyle was employed as a laborer, ranch hand, and seasonal firefighter. Lyle went to attend Haskell Indian College in Lawrence, Kansas with his cousin, Martyna during the spring semester of 1977.
After his return from college, he decided to live in Idaho with his other uncle and aunt, Leo and Lillian White Hawk and family. He resided there for a number of years and passed away at his home.
Lyle will be remembered by the life he lived. He was a man of many stories. He was a fluent Lakota speaker. Lyle was a comedian and made people laugh. When Lyle spoke to others, he would tell his real life experiences without being afraid of what people thought. He had a gift of making people laugh and a gift of telling stories that will never be forgotten because it brought laughter to them in time of their need. Lyle believed in and practiced his spirituality as a Lakota man.
Lyle was a very warmhearted man who had a huge heart. He loved to make people laugh and smile. He was always willing to help out any way he could. He was a proud Grandpa of three, Adrianna 14, Devon 10 and Makayla 5. He loved to be called grandpa and always made sure his grandkids were spoiled. Lyle was a well known person in Burley and in South Dakota. If you ask any of his family and friends they will all smile and say “he was a good guy.” Lyle will be dearly missed.
The funeral will be held at 11 a.m. Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Rasmussen Funeral Home, 1350 E. 16th St., in Burley, where military rites will be provided by the Mini-Cassia Veterans Organization. Interment will follow at the Pleasant View Cemetery.
A viewing will be held at the funeral home from 6 until 8 p.m. Monday, Feb. 5, and from 10 until 10:45 a.m. prior to the funeral service.
