June 9, 1961 – July 20, 2025
Darlene Sunka Ska, 64, of Dupree passed away Sunday, July 20, 2025, at Avantara in Pierre.
Funeral services were held on August 1, 2025, at the Dupree Multipurpose Building.
Darlene V. Sunka Ska (Bordeaux) was born June 9, 1961 to Vivian V. Shot At and Ernest J. Bordeaux Jr. in Eagle Butte. Her twin sister Marlene passed during childbirth. Her siblings were Mike and Jeff Hale, Marlys, Marlene, Ernestine, Carla, Loren, Vernon, Marcel, Marletta, and Charlene Bordeaux.
Darlene grew up on the Rosebud reservation at White River. She was raised by her grandmother, Mary Bordeaux (Standing Soldier), and her father, Ernest Jr.
Her grandmother and father taught Darlene about traditional Lakota ways and the love of God through Catholicism, though in her later teens she would fall from the Catholic church and be born again a Christian. Darlene was very strong in her faith in God.
Darlene was a fluent Lakota speaker as that was her first language before she was taken to boarding school and taught English. Darlene loved music.
Darlene lived in California, Oregon, Iowa, and many places in South Dakota, but eventually settled in Dupree.
Darlene worked at the elderly nutrition in Meskwaki, IA and in Eagle Butte, Walter Miner Law Enforcement as a cook and ICWA as a secretary in Eagle Butte. She worked at the Dupree School as a cook, and various other jobs.
Darlene got reacquainted with her teenage sweetheart, the love of her life, David B. Sunka Ska.
Darlene is survived by her children: LeChara Bordeaux of Denver, CO, Brian Thin Elk of Mission, Lauren Berg (Bordeaux) of Sioux Falls, Ace Bordeaux of Iroquois, Leilaunie and Willis Hayes of Dupree, and Tiana Bordeaux of Dupree; siblings: Carla Stead (Bordeaux) of Rapid City and Charlene Denoyer (Bordeaux) of Mission; grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews.
Darlene is preceded in death by her husband David B. Sunka Ska; parents Ernest J. Bordeaux Jr. and Vivian V. Shot At; siblings: Mike (Bernice Condon) and Jeff Hale, Marlys, Marlene, Ernestine, Loren, Vernon, Marcel, and Marletta Bordeaux; Bonita Condon (sister-in-law), Morris Little Shield; grandparents: Mary Bordeaux (Standing Soldier) and Ernest Bordeaux Sr., Agnes (Takes The Gun) Shot At and husband; aunts and uncles and nieces and nephews; children: Austin J. Bordeaux, Kevin C. Bordeaux, Lawrence A. Moran Jr. (Aaron); best friend Frenchie Mestes; sisters Gloria Hawk Eagle and Gina Clown; and Lawrence A. Moran Sr. (Charlie Crow).
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.