May 6, 1986 – February 19, 2025
Ashley Scares The Hawk, 38, of Sioux Falls, entered the spirit world, Wednesday, February 19, 2025, at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls surrounded by family.
Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. MST, Saturday, March 8, 2025, at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in St. Paul’s Episcopal Cemetery at LaPlant. Wake services will be 7:00 p.m., Friday, March 7, 2025, at the church, with a procession from the 4-mile junction at 4:00 p.m.
Ashley Tatum Scares The Hawk was born May 6, 1986, in Eagle Butte to Dawn Scares The Hawk. She went by nicknames such as “Ash,” “Tatum,” or “Ashcheeks.”
She grew up in Minneapolis with her mom, second dad Tai, sisters, cousins, and aunts – the home always filled with kids running around and being loud.
Around 1998, Ashley went to live in Pierre with her Aunt Debbie, Uncle Terry and cousins Terry Jr., Ron, Eric and Nick. Then around 2001, she lived in Irving, TX with her aunts Marge and Iris and cousins Lacey, Aaron, Andrew, and Hieu.
When her mom passed away in June 2004, it signaled a rough life ahead for 18-year-old Ashley. Eventually, she would return to Minneapolis, working, hanging out with friends, living life. In 2016, Ashley moved back to Pierre. She did well during this time, staying clean and working as a line cook.
Ashley had a love for art, music, poems, and inspirational quotes. She loved Asian food, being around family, and watching movies.
Around November 2022, Ashley was diagnosed with kidney failure and started dialysis treatments at Avera in Sioux Falls. This diagnosis was a tough blow to the otherwise strong-willed Ashley, and she managed to push through it for a few years.
Her family said Ashley was funny and always positive. She loved her family fiercely, always making sure they were okay; she would do anything for them.
Ashley is survived by sisters Quynh Nguyen of San Diego, CA, Kelsey (Luke) Scares The Hawk of Milaca, MN, and Brandi (Jerry) Nguyen and Savage, MN; aunts Debbie High Bear of Brookings, Marjorie Runion of Pierre, and Iris Canar of Tucson, AZ; uncle Steven (Candace) Scares The Hawk of Pierre; second dad who helped raise her, Tai “Ba” Nguyen of Milaca, MN; cousins who were more like siblings: Lacey Scares The Hawk, Aaron Scares The Hawk (Le) and Andrew Talks; and many other cousins, nephews, nieces, and friends.
Ashley was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents Flora (Village Center) and Raymond Scares The Hawk; aunts Mary (French) Scares The Hawk, Patricia (LeBeau) Scares The Hawk, aunt Alyce (Elhry) Scares The Hawk; uncle James Scares The Hawk; cousins Brandon LaRoche, Karen LeBeau, and Shayne LeBeau; and mom, Dawn Scares The Hawk.