July 6, 1993 – June 3, 2025
Gage N. Black Elk, 31, of Dupree passed away Tuesday, June 3, 2025, in Dupree.
Funeral services were held on Thursday, June 12, 2025, at the Dupree Multipurpose Building. Burial followed in St. Peter’s Episcopal Cemetery at Thunder Butte.
Gage Nathanial Black Elk was born on July 6, 1993, to Bonita Shot At and Michael Black Elk in Sioux Falls.
From age two to sixteen, Gage was raised by his uncle and aunt, Jake Traversie and Antoinette Roach. He grew up in the communities of Eagle Butte and Dupree. As a young kid, Gage spent a lot of time at the Sioux YMCA in Dupree. An image taken of Gage by photographer Emily Schiffer was featured at the Smithsonian Museum in 2009. Gage moved to Dupree with his mother and graduated from Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School in 2011.
Gage was a jack of all trades, working in construction, landscaping, electrical, and mechanical. He was a part of the crew that built the new Cheyenne River Health Center and was an employee of the Cheyenne River Housing Authority for four years. Gage had many accomplishments in his life. His greatest accomplishment was becoming a father to his daughter, L’via.
Gage lived in Texas, Colorado, and Oregon before returning home to South Dakota. He enjoyed being in the country south of Dupree where he called home. He always enjoyed the company of his family and friends; he was on an adventure with anyone who was willing to tag along. Gage loved his animals, enjoyed hunting, and skateboarding. Gage was always there for his family and friends.
Gage will be missed by his family and numerous friends including: his mother Bonita Shot At of Dupree; father Michael Black Elk of Pine Ridge; sisters Sharon Rose Lee of LaPlant, Kammi J. Marshall of Dallas, TX, and Tessa Black Elk of Rapid City; brothers Derek Scheller of Aberdeen and Cruz Garcia of Lincoln, NE; daughter L’Via Black Elk and her mother Juanna Falcon, both of Bridger; aunts Ives Black Elk, Lucelle Black Elk, Marge Black Elk, and Darlene Sunka Ska; uncles Nathan Black Elk, Veryle Bordeaux, Harvey Bordeaux, and Mervin Bordeaux; and many more relatives.
Gage was preceded in death by grandmas Romaine Shot At, Zelda Dog Eagle, Vivian Shot At, Edith Shot At, Lala Buz; aunts Liz Shot At, Merrilee Traversie, Andrea Grass, Antoinette Roach, Kris Red Bird; uncle Jake Traversie; cousins Monica White, Kurtis Red Bird, Sydnee Shot At, Diane Lee, and Michelle White Face.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.