Wilbert Eagle Horse

Wilbert Harvey Eagle Horse, 88, of Eagle Butte, passed away Monday, December 9, 2024, at St. Alexius Hospital, Bismarck, ND.

Funeral services were held December 20, 2024 at the Blue Gym in Cherry Creek. Burial followed in UCC Cemetery at Bridger.

Harvey was born August 16, 1936, to Martha Blue Arm and Samuel Eagle Horse in Lower Brule and raised in Cherry Creek in the old traditional way. One thing he did when he was young was go with his Grandma Kate Iron Crane and another grandma to pick wild turnips, cherries and plums. He would get the horses and wagon ready, and they would camp in the woods for a few days.

As a pipe carrier, Harvey played ceremonial songs for Robert Blue Hair, and he was involved with the spiritual ways of the Lakota until his passing. He was one of the last ones that had knowledge of the real old ways of Lakota ceremonies and the old songs. He was one of the last singers of the Hokwoju Drum Group, voices of the Cheyenne River. He sang at a lot of pow-wows with his drum group. Every time there was a hand drum contest, he would win first place.

He worked at a lot of ranches breaking horses. He rode broncs and won championship buckles. Harvey was a tribal police officer until he retired.

Harvey’s grandfather, Charles Blue Arm, was a survivor of Wounded Knee.

Survivors include his children: Merlin Eagle Horse of California, Sonji Black Bear of Rapid City, Farrel Eagle Horse of Eagle Butte, Shelly Eagle Horse of Sioux Falls, Shane Eagle Horse of Swiftbird, Shaun Eagle Horse and Samuel Eagle Horse of Eagle Butte; and numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Harvey is preceded in death by his parents; two wives, Juanita Joan Herrald and Stella Buffalo; and three of his children: Sharli Mills, Ferlin Eagle Horse, and Faron Eagle Horse.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.