Funeral services for Fritz W. Eagleshield Jr., 75, of McLaughlin, will be held at 11:00 AM, Saturday, June 21, 2025, at the McLaughlin Auditorium. Burial will be in the McLaughlin City Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. An all-night wake will be held on Friday, June 20, 2025, at the McLaughlin Auditorium with a prayer service to begin at 7:00 PM. Everyone is invited and encouraged to meet at Kesling Funeral Home at 4:00 PM, Friday, June 20, 2025, to process to McLaughlin in Honor of Fritz. Fritz passed away, Tuesday, June 10, 2025, in Rural Ft. Yates, North Dakota.

Fritz W. Eagleshield Jr., Thoka Ihunni "Arrives First" was born April 16, 1950 to Ada (Frazier) and Fritz W. Eagleshield Sr., in Pheonix, Arizona. Fritz peacefully entered the Spirit World on June 10, 2025, surrounded by loved ones.

Fritz grew up in Green Grass SD, Little Eagle SD, Fort Yates ND & McLaughlin SD.

Fritz attended his early high school years at Standing Rock. Graduating from Cheyenne Eagle Butte May 26, 1964. During his senior year at CEB, Fritz met the love of his life & best friend, Patricia "Patti" Good Eagle. Fritz asked her dad for her hand in marriage, because of the war, Fritz was told he could not marry her until he came home from the service.

Fritz joined the United States Army, January 1969: Infantry, Fort Polk, Louisiana. Chu Lai, South Viet Nam, Company C, 1/46th, 196th LIB Americal Division. Honorably Discharged February 1971.

Upon returning home Fritz married Patti, December 1, 1971, and started a family. They relocated their family several times in pursuit of career and educational advancements; '72-73, Hartnell College, Salinas, CA. Youth Services. '74-'78, SR Community College, AS General Studies, Fort Yates, ND.  '78-'80, Cook Theological Seminary, Tempe. AZ. 2-year certificate. '80-'81 United Theological Seminary, New Brighton, MN., before returning home making McLaughlin their permanent home with their children, Theresa, Brandon, Fritz III, Lynette, Antonia, Adrian, and Lyndale.

Fritz's extensive career was always in the service of others. Such jobs as Teacher Aide, Parent Coordinator, Teacher, Standing Rock Head Start Program. Supervisor of Tribal Range program. Director, Home Improvement, Standing Rock Sioux Tribe. Director, Tribal Weatherization Program. Emergency Vehicle Operator & Emergency Medical Technician, Standing Rock Ambulance Program. Community Resource Office, Law Enforcement, COPS Program, Bear Soldier. Bear Soldier District Chairman. Transit Driver, Sitting Bull College Transit.

Anyone who knew Fritz knew he was an intelligent, kind, never boastful, selfless, humble & a man of his word. He never hesitated to help when called upon for anything. Fritz was a dedicated & proud member of the Looking Back – Growler – Jamerson – Little Bear Post 239 of Little Eagle SD.

Fritz enjoyed a good cup of coffee, everyone's company, conversation & laughs while he enjoyed his cigarette. He was a proud and kind Papa and Great Papa. He loved watching them laugh & play.  Over the years Fritz gained the other grandchildren who stop by with their bike and ask for Grandpa Fritz.  He never hesitated to fix a flat tire, adjust handlebars or replace a broken pedal.

Fritz was loved and will be deeply missed by surviving his children Brandon, Fritz III Eagleshield & Lynette (Lyle) Eagleshield. Hunka Son Gene Daniels. Siblings John Eagleshield Sr. and Lisbeth Zephier.

Grandchildren Matric, Zayde, Shaye, Brenna, Daniel & Adam Eagleshield. Brayden, MJ, Kenyon, Teyah & Wicaphi Uses Arrow.  Tristan, Kylion, Boyd, & Brittany White Twin. Daylyn, Keely, Fritz IV, Izlynn & Kaliah Eagleshield. Angelina, Mina, Chip & Destiny Ducheneaux, Jobb, Lytricia, Marlys, Misti & Shia Agard. Dezmond, Briana & Adriana Eagleshield

Great Grandchildren M'Ryan, Colson, Melia, Matthias, Phyllece, Ma'Leni, Za'kyelah, Courage, Themis, Malikai, Cassius & Sumiere Eagleshield. Emersyn Young Bird. Anlizeya, Anzykaius, AnzyXia, AveyXia & Maleni UsesArrow Diamond Blue Arm, Tayzen & Jakobi Uses Arrow, Dedrick Robertson Jr. and Kalia Agard, Aryn Agard, Decius & Lucius Brown and Drewdin Forrest.

Cousins Geraldine Agard, Etta Brave Crow, Gale Brave Crow, Dale Brave Crow, Mabel Medicine Crow and Aunt Clarice Miner.

Pallbearers:  Looking Back – Growler – Jamerson – Little Bear Post 239

Honorary Pallbearers Rock Creek American Legion Post 324, Albert Grass Post 173, Mistina Eagle, Tommy Pheasant, Scott Noisy Hawk, George Jones, Charles W. Murphy & Family, James McLauglin, Norma McLauglin, Jan Two Shields, Homer Cutt, Tesla Carry Moccasin, Sid & Sadie Carry Moccasin, Greg & Lorencia Weasel, Carrie Long Cloud, Craig & Claudene Eagleshield, Roselyn Fast Horse, Martha Cameron, Melanie Howard, Bernadine Eagle, Anthony Vermillion, Raymond Molash, SR Veterans Office, IHS Dialysis Unit, Dr. Koster, SR Ambulance- Sara Hollow, Kate Roesler, Mandy Schaible, Sitting Bull College Transit, SR Game & Fish. Sorry if we forgot anyone it was not our intention.

Fritz was welcomed home by His Parents Ada & Fritz Eagleshield Sr., Wife Patti, Children Theresa, Antonia "Toni", Adrian "Major", and Lyndale "Dotti", Grandson Damien Little Eagle. Siblings Winona Eagleshield, Ellen Elk, Howard Eagleshield.