November 25, 2002 – January 25, 2026 __________________________________
Mass of Christian Burial for Payton Booth, 23, of Timber Lake was Monday, February 2, 2026, at Holy Cross Catholic Church in Timber Lake. Burial was at the Timber Lake Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Payton Elyse Booth, beloved daughter, sister, aunt, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and friend, was born on November 25, 2002, to Gerald and Lavon Booth in Pierre and passed away unexpectedly on January 25, 2026, in Spearfish.
Payton was raised on her family’s ranch south of Timber Lake, where she grew up surrounded by family, open spaces, and a strong sense of home. She attended school in Timber Lake and graduated in 2022. Following high school, Payton attended Black Hills State University in Spearfish, majoring in Human Services. After two and a half years, she chose to step away from her studies to refocus and explore new paths. At the time of her passing, she was employed as an online digital shopper at Walmart.
Payton was known for her kind heart and gentle spirit. Though shy by nature, once she felt comfortable, she spoke her mind honestly and without hesitation. Her straightforward and unfiltered nature brought much humor to her family.
She deeply loved her family and friends and treasured time spent outdoors. Payton enjoyed hiking, RZR riding in the hills, family vacations, and listening to music. She held great pride in her identity as a Lakota woman and member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Her Native American heritage was an important part of who she was; she would attend cultural and community activities in the area whenever she could. She especially looked forward to attending the annual Red Dress Gala in Rapid City, which honors Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women (MMIW), as well as the Black Hills Pow Wow. Payton was passionate about helping others and hoped to one day work in a role that supported Indigenous communities.
One of Payton’s greatest joys was being “auntie” to her three nieces, Jalee, Blake, and Jensyn, and her nephew, Jon. She shared a particularly close bond with Jalee, whom she grew up alongside and loved like a little sister.
Payton leaves behind many treasured memories with her family and lifelong friends. She especially cherished her close friendships with Bailey Keller, Tessa Goldade, and Cassie Harris, holding those relationships near to her heart. She also spent much of her childhood alongside the Larson and Gross families, bonds she deeply valued.
Payton is survived by her parents, Gerald and Lavon Booth; her brothers, Jace Booth (Becky) and Dixon Booth; her maternal grandfather, David Ganje; paternal grandmother, Willetta Dolphus; uncles Loren Ganje, Jared Ganje (Savannah), Jason Dolphus and family, Deblin Thompson and family; aunt Tahnee Thompson and family; cousins Camryn, Reese and Logyn Ganje, Tristan and Mason Ganje, Isabella Ganje (Favian Sanchez), Tia and Kia Pearman, and many other cousins and other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her sister, Ashlyn Booth; her grandmother, Sara Ganje; her grandfather, Jon Booth; and her cousin, Hannah Ganje.
Payton’s love, humor, and gentle spirit will remain in the hearts of her family and friends forever.
(Gerald and Lavon Booth’s address is 14220 BIA Rt. 3, Timber Lake, SD 57656.)