Gaylene was born to Bruce Pretty Bird Sr . and Theresa Eagle Deer Pretty Bird, at Rosebud IHS Hospital, on October 4, 1970. She had one sibling, Bruce Pretty Bird Jr. Gaylene’s Indian name was, Zinntka to ho Waste Wia, (Good Voice Blue Bird), which was her great, great grandmother’s name. She attended all 12 years of school at Todd County Elementary and High School in Mission, SD. She received perfect at-tendance awards all through school. Many of her accomplishments included Little Miss Rosebud, Teen Rosebud, in the Miss Jr Teen South Dakota in Sioux Falls, she was second runner up and won the $10000.00 scholarship. She received numerous scholarships and basketball awards. From there, she attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, on a scholarship for academics and basketball. Her interests and desire to educate herself found her taking college classes and online clas-ses throughout her lifetime. Gaylene found herself holding many different positions in her tribe. From working at law enforcement, to dialysis, to the hospital, economic development, and finally as a very successful grant writer. Her widespread knowledge from working in all areas of her tribe gave her the knowledge and ability to write over 200 million dollars of fund-ed grants for her tribe. She was honored by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe for working and helping them manage over $200 million funded grants that she wrote. One of her personal proudest grants, was writing for the nation’s first Native Ameri-can Veterans Cemetery. The design and completion was all under Gaylene’s manage-ment plus the funding to continue its operation. Located near Horse Creek, south of White River. In 2000, she met the love of her life and her best friend, Garret Simon. They were married in Timber Lake, SD, on February 11, 2006. They had two sons Dimitri, (Heanatanpi, Charge on Him), and Tuffy (Sung Ska, White Horse). Gaylene was a devoted and caring mother to her two sons. She encouraged both daily to do their best and be the best. They started their married life in Rosebud, SD. From there they moved to Jackson, MN. They returned to Timber Lake in 2013, and have made their home there since. Gaylene was an avid hunter and loved fishing. She could out fish many fishermen and she loved shooting and being a marksman. She loved horses, rid-ing, and helping her father-in-law brand, move cattle, drive for hauling hay, or meet-ing him with pickups or trailers. He said she was the best hand he ever had because she was always willing and happy to help him. Gaylene fought a courageous battle against cancer for the last 3 years. She won the first battle but it came back and as tough a warrior as she was, she lost her fight on her 12th wedding anniversary. As Garret says, that date was important to her and she told him you don’t forget it so this time she made sure he would not forget their wedding anniversary. Her most important work came in the last year of life. She saw herself as a giver of hope to those suffering with sickness and as a disciple for Jesus Christ. Grateful for having shared her life are husband, Garret, sons, Dimitri and Tuffy. Her mother, Theresa Pretty Bird, and her brother, Bruce Pretty Bird Jr, both of Rosebud, SD. Her Uncle Sammi High Crane and her Auntie Patti Boudreaux also from Rose-bud. Her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gary and Ramona Simon of Timber Lake, brother-in-law, Rustin (Mitzi) Simon of Smithville, MO, sister-in-law, Shanna (Rusty) Gebhardt, of Timber Lake, SD. A special nephew, Caleb Simon, of Smith-ville, MO, who brought her much joy and laughter. She was preceded in death by her father, Bruce in 1988, paternal Grandmother, Ollie Pretty Bird in 2013. Her maternal grandparents, Narciss and Mercy Little Eagle Deer in 1991. A cousin and a hero, Corporal Tanner James O’Leary, Special Forces Delta, in 2007.

D a t e o f S e r v i c e

T i m e o f S e r v i c e

October 4, 1970 ~ February 11, 2018

Gaylene Pretty Bird -Simon

2 Corinthians 12: 9-10 “Sufficient Grace” God said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfect in weakness,” therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me, so because of Christ, I am pleased in weaknesses, in insults, in catastrophes, in persecutions and in pressures. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

Make me Second today Oh Lord with the heart and actions of a servant. Grant me the gift of servi-tude so that I might serve fully those known and un-

known to me. Help me to share my story with all those who need to hear. Make me fearless and

truthful so that I might tell the whole story. Use my darkest days to comfort those who need proof of Your Grace and Mercy. Make my voice true, not boastful, today and always. Use my time in the wil-derness of life to comfort those who are weak, those who are sad, and those who need to reconsider their choices. Make my voice ring with Your Love, with the tones and sounds of a friend, not the loud roars of a judge. Let them see Your Grace and Mercy

in me and from You

IN LOVING MEMORY OF:

Gaylene Pretty Bird-Simon BORN: PASSED AWAY:

October 4, 1970 February 11, 2018 Rosebud, South Dakota Eagle Butte, South Dakota

FUNERAL SERVICE:

10:00 AM , Saturday, February 17, 2018 New Hope Church, Timber Lake, South Dakota

CLERGY: Pastor Bryce and Colette Schaffer

Pastor Jack and Carol Garr

SPECIAL MUSIC: Colette Schaffer and Carol Garr

CONGREGATIONAL HYMNS: “Praise You Through The Storm” ~ “Hosanna In The Highest”

“God Is Good” ~ “Holy Spirit”

EULOGY: Daisy W right ~ Carol Garr

OBITUARY: Rustin Simon

SCRIPTURE: Mitzi Simon ~ Shanna Gebhardt

CASKETBEARERS: Shadow Wright ~ Rustin Simon ~ Rusty Gebhardt

Ted Miner ~ Tuffy Morrison ~ Brent Cuny

HONORARY BEARERS: Moreau Grand Employees ~ West Dakota Health Center ~ Carmen O’Leary

Rhema Healing Group ~ New Hope Church Women’s Prayer Group IHS Inpatient Nursing Staff ~ Daisy Wright ~ Mitzi Simon

Danita Allen Miner ~ Shanna Simon ~ Trish Morrison ~ Sandy Mayer Heather Cuny ~ Duane Hollow Horn Bear ~ Kenny and Kathleen Meier

LAKOTA SONG AND PRAYER: Uncle Sammi High Crane

PLACE OF BURIAL: The Shalom Cemetery

Timber Lake, South Dakota

Arrangements Entrusted to Kesling Funeral Home.