View Service Forlder For Geraldine


Memorial services for Geraldine White Temple age 69 of Mandan formally of Little Eagle, 11:00 AM January 31, 2018 at Elkhorn UCC in Little Eagle. Inurnment will be in the Elkhorn Congregational Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Memorial visitation will be Tuesday, January 30, 2018 beginning at 5:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the funeral home. Geraldine passed away, Wednesday, January 24, 2018 at the Sunset Drive of Prospera Community.

GERALDINE VERNA LOOKING ELK – WHITE TEMPLE was born on November 5, 1948 to William Looking Elk and Amy Verna (Grindstone) Looking Elk at Little Eagle, SD.

She attended Little Eagle Day School, Pierre Indian School-Pierre, SD, St. Elizabeth Boarding/Wakpala Public School-Wakpala, SD elementary schools; ultimately graduating from Little Eagle Day School. She continued her high school education at the Fort Yates Community High School, Fort Yates, ND and graduated in May 1967.

She continued her education at the National College of Business at Rapid City, SD in 1968. She met and married James Shaw in October 1972 and relocated to Chicago, IL where she continued her education and certified with the WANG Computer Program in 1973. Unfortunately her marriage ended at this time. She was employed by the Chicago BIA Branch for period before relocating to the Standing Rock Indian Reservation and worked at the Standing Rock Agency BIA Social Services Office.

Geraldine lost her daughter Jean-Marie in 1973; as with all mothers, this void devastated her and refused to accept her loss completely. She took a number of her nieces "under her wing" and always had a special dedication toward children. Her grandchildren always had ample gifts for birthdays and Christmas. She was a very humble person with compassion for those less fortunate than herself and generous to a fault. Rarely did she have unforgiving words for anybody.

She married Allen White Temple in 1983 and they made their home Fort Yates, ND where they both were employed. In 1986 she suffered a stroke which left her right-arm partially paralyzed and she decided to remain at home and concentrate on physical therapy. In 1992 she suffered a brain aneurism that took its toll; she lost the ability to speak, and could not walk. She reluctantly was placed in the Sunset Drive Care Center-Mandan, ND where she was a resident until her passing.

Geraldine was a very special person to the Care Center staff; they loved and will miss her very much. She was affectionately considered "part of the family" as she always had a smile for them even through her suffering.

She is survived by her sister, Jean Adele "Sugar" (Grindstone) Ghost of Pine Ridge, SD, brother, Alex Looking Elk of Solen, ND; numerous nieces, nephews, grandchildren; great-grandchildren and ex-husband Allen White Temple, Fort Yates, ND.

She was preceded in death by her father (William Looking Elk), mother (Amy Grindstone Looking Elk) baby brothers (William Jr. and Leon Silas Looking Elk), daughter (Jean-Marie), sister (Phyllis "Chi-Chi" Looking Elk) Paternal (Looking Elk) & Maternal (Grindstone) Grandparents, and numerous relatives

Geraldine's final wishes are honored via Cremation Services and co-burial with her daughter Jean-Marie at the Elk Horn Cemetery.