Mass of Christian Burial for Charles "Gil" Walking Elk, Sr., 72, of Fort Yates, will be held at the Kenel Catholic Church of Assumption at 11:00 AM, Friday, May 29, 2026. Burial will be in the Kenel Catholic Church of Assumption Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. A private family viewing will be held from 5-6 PM, Thursday, May 28 with a visitation open to the public from 6-7 pm and a Rosary Service will be held at 7:00 PM at the Kenel Catholic Church of Assumption. A family procession will take place on Thursday, May 28 at 3:00 from Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge. Charles passed away on Saturday, May 16, 2026, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck. 

Charles “Gil” Walking Elk, Sr. was born on October 28, 1953 in Kenel, SD to Margaret “Martin” Walking Elk and Gilbert Walking Elk. Gil attended school in Fort Yates, ND and United Tribes Technical College and Sitting Bull College. Gil worked for Standing Rock Housing Authority before starting his own construction company building decks, ramps and roofing work. He was an outdoorsman and an avid hunter and fisherman and later a became a hunting guide for those who became his hunka brothers from Michigan. Gil always spoke fondly of the “old days” growing up in Kenel and he loved his parents and siblings very much. His dad’s name was Gilbert this is how he got the nickname “Gil.” He spoke about going to dances with his nieces and cousins and having the best time with family. Gil loved his children and grandchildren very much and was very protective of them. He helped raise some of his grandchildren, they held a special place in his heart.

Gil was a standout athlete who played basketball, fastpitch and slowpitch softball for many years. He was legendary for his fastpitch pitching and long ball homeruns. He traveled all over and played with many teams. He played in the Fast Pitch National Finals in Oklahoma three times, State tournaments five times and won numerous MVP and All-Tournament awards for his pitching and homeruns. Gil took great pride that he played alongside his brothers Cliff, Butch and Eugene in both fastpitch and slowpitch softball for many years. His parents traveled to their games to watch their sons play. He was inducted into the United Tribes Hall of Fame in 2015.

Gil met Marilyn “Sissy” Lafromboise and from this union came Nathan Lafromboise, Sherry Walking Elk and Waylon Lafromboise.

He married Loretta Renee Renville and from this union came Charles Walking Elk, Jr., Ron Walking Elk, Bret Walking Elk and Charlsie Johnson.

He married Gina Comeau and from this union came William Bill Walking Elk, Ashley Walking Elk and Sharnell Walking Elk.

He is survived by one brother Cliff (Zozette) Walking Elk, one sister/niece Brenda Molash and sons Nathan Lafromboise, Waylon Lafromboise, Charles Walking Elk, Jr., Ron Walking Elk, Bret (Farrin) Walking Elk, and William Bill (Serenity) Walking Elk, daughters Sherry Walking Elk, Charlsie (Chance) Johnson, Ashley Walking Elk and Sharnell (Travis) Twinn, hunka brothers Bob Gerhardt, Dan Peters, and his grandchildren Autumn Red Bear, Charlize Walking Elk, Charlene Walking Elk, Charles Walking Elk, III., Neveah Walking Elk, Natalie Walking Elk, Chrisalee Walking Elk, Sylvan Walking Elk, Daylon Fox, Kathan Martel, Claude Ridley, Rashawn Archambault, Rhias Archambault, Ronika Thunder Hawk, Braxtyn Walking Elk, Memphis Walking Elk, Oakley Walking Elk, Eliah Walking Elk, Bretlei Walking Elk, Kellen Walking Elk, Faith Walking Elk, Ross Walking Elk, Kai Walking Elk, Aurora Walking Elk, Easton Walking Elk, Ray’Von Silk, Mila Dupris, Elite Walking Elk, Kyra Baker, Kyren Baker, Aaleigh Twinn, Waylee Lafromboise, and friend Renee High Elk along with many nieces and nephews.

Gil is proceeded in death by his parents Gilbert and Margaret Walking Elk, brothers Clyde (Butch), Eugene, Larry, Robert, and Nathan, sisters Lynda, Kathleen, Bernadine and Susan.