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Funeral services for Gaylene Pretty Bird Simon 47, of Timber Lake will be 10:00 AM Saturday, February 17, 2018 at New Hope Church in Timber Lake. Burial be at Simon Ranch Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will begin at 6:00 PM Friday, February 16, 2018 followed by a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the church. Gaylene passed away Sunday, February 11, 2018, at the Cheyenne River Health Center.

Gaylene Pretty Bird Simon

Zinntka To Ho Waste Wia

Good Voice Blue Bird

1970-2018

Gaylene was born to Bruce Pretty Bird Sr and Theresa Eagle Deer Pretty Bird, at Rosebud IHS Hospital, on October 4, 1970. She had one sibling, Bruce Pretty Bird Jr. Gaylene's Indian name was, Zinntka to ho Waste Wia, (Good Voice Blue Bird), which was her great, great grandmother's name. She attended all 12 years of school at Todd County Elementary and High School in Mission, SD. She received perfect attendance awards all through school. Many of her accomplishments included Little Miss Rosebud, Teen Rosebud, in the Miss Jr Teen South Dakota in Sioux Falls, she was second runner up and won the $10000.00 scholarship. She received numerous scholarships and basketball awards. From there, she attended the South Dakota School of Mines and Technology, on a scholarship for academics and basketball. Her interests and desire to educate herself found her taking college classes and online classes throughout her lifetime.

Gaylene found herself holding many different positions in her tribe. From working at law enforcement , to dialysis, to the hospital, economic development, and finally as a very successful grant writer. Her widespread knowledge from working in all areas of her tribe gave her the knowledge and ability to write over 200 million dollars of funded grants for her tribe. She was honored by the Rosebud Sioux Tribe for working and helping them manage over $200 million funded grants that she wrote.

One of her personal proudest grants, was writing for the nation's first Native American Veterans Cemetery. The design and completion was all under Gaylene's management plus the funding to continue its operation. Located near Horse Creek, south of White River.

In 2000, she met the love of her life and her best friend, Garret Simon. They were married in Timber Lake, SD, on February 11, 2006. They had two sons Dimitri, (Heanatanpi, Charge on Him), and Tuffy (Sung Ska, White Horse). Gaylene was a devoted and caring mother to her two sons. She encouraged both daily to do their best and be the best. They started their married life in Rosebud, SD. From there they moved to Jackson, MN. They returned to Timber Lake in 2013, and have made their home there since. Gaylene was an avid hunter and loved fishing. She could out fish many fishermen and she loved shooting and being a marksman. She loved horses, riding,and helping her father-in-law brand, move cattle, drive for hauling hay, or meeting him with pickups or trailers. He said she was the best hand he ever had because she was always willing and happy to help him.

Gaylene fought a courageous battle against cancer for the last 3 years. She won the first battle but it came back and as tough a warrior as she was, she lost her fight on her 12th wedding anniversary. As Garret says, that date was important to her and she told him you don't forget it so this time she made sure he would not forget their wedding anniversary. Her most important work came in the last year of life. She saw herself as a giver of hope to those suffering with sickness and as a disciple for Jesus Christ.

Celebration of her life and stories will be Friday night the 16th, at New Hope Church at 7:00 pm, in Timber Lake, SD, with visitation to start at 6 pm. Followed by coffee and bars in the fellowship hall. Saturday the 17th, at 10:00 am will be where the cowgirl rides away at New Hope Church. Burial will be at the The Shalom Cemetery, south of Timber Lake.

Grateful for having shared her life are husband Garret, sons Dimitri and Tuffy. Her mother, Theresa Pretty Bird, and her brother, Bruce Pretty Bird Jr, both of Rosebud, SD. Her Uncle Sammi High Crane and her Auntie Patti Boudreaux also from Rosebud. Her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Gary and Ramona Simon of Timber Lake, brother-in-law, Rustin (Mitzi) Simon of Smithville, MO, sister-in-law, Shanna (Rusty) Gebhardt, of Timber Lake, SD. A special nephew, Caleb Simon, of Smithville, MO, who brought her much joy and laughter.

She was preceded in death by her father, Bruce in 1988, paternal Grandmother Ollie Pretty Bird in 2013. Her maternal grandparents Narciss and Mercy Little Eagle Deer in 1991. A cousin and a hero, Corporal Tanner James O'Leary, Special Forces Delta, in 2007.