Mass of Christian Burial for Kerman James Shoestring, age 56, of Bullhead will be at 10:30 AM CT, Wednesday, February 12, 2014 at St. Aloysius Catholic Church in Bullhead. Burial will be at 3 PM at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. A Procession will leave at 4:30 PM from the funeral home for an all night wake at 6 PM with services at 7 PM at the church Tuesday. Kerman passed away, Monday, February 3, 2014 at his home in Bullhead.

Kerman James Shoestring, (Oyate Wa'wo'ki'ya wi'ca'-sa- Helps His People), was born on March 29, 1957 in Bullhead, South Dakota to Margaret (Iron Thunder) and Jerome Shoestring. Kerman attended grade school at the Bullhead Day School and graduated from Standing Rock High School in 1976. After graduation Kerman attended Black Hills State College for Business, and he also attended Sitting Bull College, and received his degree in Associate of Science in Teacher Education, graduating in May 1999.

Following in his older brothers footsteps Kerman enlisted the Armed Forces. His brother Anthony Shoestring was in the US Navy and brother LeRoy Shoestring was in the US Army. Kerman enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on October 22, 1980. He was stationed at 29 Palms, CA, he was a tanker crewman and served four years and was honorably discharged on October 30, 1984.

He also served on the Rock Creek Grant School Board, SRHA Board and served as the Vice-Chairman for the Rock Creek District. Kerman was a humble man with a good sense of humor and a big heart, who liked to help his people. He would never turn anybody away when they needed his help. He was also raising his grandson Carter Bendickson at the time of his death; he had a lot of love for all his grandkids. Kerman was also active within his community, whether donating or volunteering for the Catholic Church of the V.J. Day Celebration in Bullhead, SD. In his spare time, Kerman enjoyed working with horses, and spending time with his friends and family.

Kerman is survived by his two sons, Clinton and Christian Bendickson of McLaughlin , SD. One brother Anthony Shoestring (Ruby) of Fort Yates, ND, and one sister Eileen Shoestring of Bullhead, SD. Also surviving are his nieces, Tamara Big Eagle (Scott), Gina Loy (Rob), Alvonne Penola (Ray), Nicole Gayton (Steve), Liza Lawrence (Jamie), Jessie Red Bird (Juan), Marie Shoestring, and nephews, Edgar, Elston, Joe and Dana Yellow Earrings, Justin Shoestring, Todd Shoestring (Debbie), and grandchildren, Carter, Colton, Chloe, Ulyssa, Alicia, Charlie, Scottie, and Katy Gates, Troy and Audrey Shoestring, Jamie, Jordan, Jessmyn, and Janae Hertel, Christopher Loy, Samantha, Shyla, Dane, Dena and Jerome Yellow Earrings, Suri Gayton, Maria, Anna, and Olympia.

Kerman is preceded in death by his parents, Jerome and Margaret, brother, Leroy, and four sisters, Bessie, Audrey, Mary Rose, and Judy, nephews, Troy, Jerome, and Anthony Shoestring, Jerome Yellow Earrings, nieces, Danae Yellow Earrings, Margaret Omen Dargert, and grandson, Cale Bendickson, great granddaughter, Amiyah Talley and adopted brother, Maurice Agard Sr., uncle James Shoestring and cousins, Aljoe Agard and Norman Shoestring.