September 26, 1961 – June 25, 2024
Funeral services for Mark Knight, 62, of Eagle Butte were held July 8, 2024, at the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Auditorium. Burial was at the Knight Family Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge.
Mark passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the IHS Hospital in Eagle Butte.
Mark James Knight was born on September 26, 1961, to Jess and Edith “Edie” (LaPlante) Knight in Eagle Butte.
Mark grew up on the Knight Ranch south of Dupree. He attended school in Chamberlain, Cherry Creek, Dupree and Eagle Butte and eventually earned his GED in 1998.
Mark got the itch for the rodeo life at a young age. In 1982, he qualified for the Indian National Finals Rodeo in Albuquerque, NM. He won quite a few buckles and a few saddles throughout his rodeo career, but he always said that his biggest accomplishment was winning the CRST Fair & Rodeo titles as the All-Around Cowboy in 1983 and Team Roping Champion Heeler in 1999.
In 1982, he introduced himself to Connie Ducheneaux. Five years later in 1987 they reunited. In January of 1991, their daughter Kelsey Da’rae was born and in August of 1992, Tee William was born. On May 31, 1997, Mark and Connie were married.
Mark was super proud of his kids and their accomplishments. He loved that Tee had followed in his footsteps and started riding broncs and team roping. Unfortunately, when Tee broke his back, it brought that all to an end. In 2012, his little cowgirl fulfilled her dream of becoming Miss Indian Rodeo.
In 2017, Mark was hit with severe heart issues while in Milwaukee, WI attending the National Congress of American Indians conference. It sparked something in him to live his life to the fullest. So, he and Connie made a decision they were going to live the rest of their lives traveling whenever and wherever they wanted.
He recently received his passport as he was about to go on a grand tenday adventure with Connie and Lyle and Kim Anderson to South America.
Throughout the years Mark was employed with CRST HIP Program, Game, Fish & Parks, and Environmental Protection Department. He also worked construction and was a substitute teacher. From 1996-1997 he served as the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council.
Mark served as the District 4 Council Representative from 1998 to 2006, 2014 to 2016 and 2016 through 2020 for a total of 14 years. He was also the AAU wrestling coach for Takini School and assistant wrestling coach for the C-EB/Dupree Wrestling team.
Mark is survived by his wife Connie; daughter Kelsey (Cameron) and her boys Markem and Ryatt; son Tee and his daughter Rylinn; mother-in-law Betsy Ducheneaux; sisters-in-law, Sammi (Donnie) Ducheneaux and Keni Jo (Sam) Ducheneaux; brothers-in-law, Carlyle and Duffy Ducheneaux; special nephews, Kyler Ducheneaux and Payden Cash Peterson; brothers Tom (Carol) Knight, Bill Knight and Jess Knight Jr.; sisters Lona Knight and Lucy Knight; and numerous nieces and nephews.
He is preceded in death by his parents Jess and Edie Knight; brothers Monte “Buckshot” Knight and Jeff Knight; father-in-law Lyle Ducheneaux; brother-in-law Ford Ducheneaux; grandma Jennie Hunt; niece Heather Knight; and grandparents William LaPlante and Mamie Jewett and Wally and Sara Knight.