March 12, 1983 ~ March 14, 2022
Denise Grace Bear Runner was born on March 12, 1983, in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, to Dennis Bear Runner and Shirley (Red Star) Marshall. Denise made her journey to the Spirit World on March 14, 2022, at the Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota.
Denise is survived by her spouse, Mario Vazquez, Jr.; sons, Sarge Sunrise Denny, Raymond Ferguson, (baby) Lyle Ferguson, Jr., and Julio Vasquez; daughters, Kateri (Curtis) Denny-Busse, Shirleah Ferguson, and Kanalah Vasquez; hunka mother, Sharon (Wardell) Walks Straight; grandchildren, Kaliyah Denny; mother, Shirley Red Star-Marshall; father, D. Arthur Bear Runner; brothers, Justin Charging Crow, Chad Fast Horse, Shon Fast Horse, Rondell Charging Crow, Creighton Charging Crow, and Howard Bear Runner; sisters, Juanita (Harry Yazzie) Red Star, Shalaine Bear Runner, Holona (Romero) Fast Horse, Vanessa Crazy Thunder, and Stephanie Bald Eagle; nieces, Sarah (Will) Padilla-Fast Horse, Quesa Red Star, Shan Teddy Two Eagle, Katy Red Star, Skuya (Angel) Good Voice Elk, Adoncia Lopez, Kymonnie Fast Horse, and Hailey and Matthew Charging Crow.
Denise was preceded in death by her sister, Mary Kate Fast Horse; step-father, Keith Marshall; great-grandmother, Katie Fools Crow; great-grandfather, Frank Fools Crow; paternal grandmother, Grace Rock-Bear Runner; paternal grandfather, Oscar “OB” Bear Runner; cousins, Josephine “Jodi” Brewer and Cameron Red Star; uncles, Edgar Bear Runner, Sr., Harold Bear Runner, Donald Bear Runner, James Rock, Vernon Rock, John “Johnny” Rock and Paul Rock; and aunts, Lillian Bear Runner, Leola Quiver-Bear Runner, Barbara Rock, Diane Rock, Verola Rock-Brewer and Weldine Red Star.
A two night wake service was held March 24-25 at the Shirley Marshall residence located at 3-Mile Creek near Kyle, South Dakota. Funeral services were held Saturday, March 26, 2022 at 10 a.m., also at the Shirley Marshall residence, with Pastor Matt Hadden officiating. Traditional Lakota services were performed by Mr. Jerome Kills Small and the Pass Creek Drum Group. Burial services were at the Red Star Family Cemetery at 3-Mile Creek in Kyle, South Dakota. Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, South Dakota.
