Funeral services for Mark Knight, 62, of Eagle Butte will be at 11 AM, Monday, July 8, 2024, at the Cheyenne Eagle Butte Auditorium. Burial will be at the Knight Family Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. A procession from the 4mile junction will be at 4 PM Sunday for wake services at the auditorium at 6 PM. Mark passed away Tuesday, June 25, 2024, at the IHS Hospital in Eagle Butte.

Mark James Knight was born on September 26, 1961, to Jess and Edith "Edie" LaPlante- Knight in Eagle Butte, SD.  He went to be with the Lord on June 25, 2024, after doing what he loved, working his cows, with the love of his life.

Mark grew up on the Knight Ranch South of Dupree, SD, on Little Cottonwood Creek just across the way from where his grandparents lived on Ash Creek. You could find him, his cousins and the Longbrake boys riding horseback all day on the creeks living that young country boy life.  He attended school in Chamberlain, Cherry Creek, Dupree and Eagle Butte and eventually earned his GED in 1998.  Mark got the itch for the rodeo life at a young age.  He attended many rodeos in his younger days fine tuning his craft.  In his adult life he traveled a lot of miles to attend rodeos with his buddies.  In 1982, Mark qualified for the Indian National Finals Rodeo which was held Albuquerque, NM, a big accomplish and definitely a highlight for any Indian cowboy.  He won quite a few buckles and a few saddles throughout his rodeo career, but he always said that his biggest accomplishment was winning the CRST Fair & Rodeo titles as the All-Around Cowboy in 1983 and Team Roping Champion Heeler in 1999.

Also in 1982, he introduced himself to Connie Ducheneaux.  Five years later in 1987 they reunited and thus began a life filled with a lot of laughs, a lot of firsts and most importantly a lot of unconditional love.  In January of 1991, their daughter Kelsey Da'rae was born and in August of 1992, Tee William was born.  They did it a little backwards having kids first but on May 31, 1997, Mark and Connie were married.

Mark was super proud of his kids and their accomplishments.  He loved that Tee had followed in his footsteps and started riding broncs and team roping.  Unfortunately, when Tee broke his back, it brought that all to an end but when he'd reflect on those moments of Tee's rodeo days, he spoke of them with so much pride.  In 2012, his little cowgirl fulfilled her dream of becoming Miss Indian Rodeo and he was right there beaming with pride, and he never hesitated to tell people "Miss Indian Rodeo, that's my daughter."  Even though his kids were his pride and joy when his grandkids came into the picture that was it and to him, they hung the moon.  He loved having them around and tried to never miss an event.  He was their coach and biggest fan.  Mark was looking forward to being at all their school events, following them down the rodeo trail and supporting them in whatever they wanted to do.

In 2017, Mark was hit with severe heart issues while in Milwaukee, WI attending the National Congress of American Indians conference, where he coded three times.  And you'd think something this severe would slow him down, but it didn't it sparked something in him to live his life to the fullest.  So, him and Connie made a decision they were going to live the rest of their lives traveling whenever and wherever they wanted.  And they did just that!  He was blessed to travel throughout the United States, falling short of visiting five states, and visiting Canada.  Although his most memorable and favorite trips, the ones he talked about the most, were the trips he took to Florida, California, New Mexico and Arizona with Connie, Kelsey, his grandchildren, Aunt Mary Jane and other family and friends.  He recently received his passport as he was about to go on a grand ten-day adventure with Connie, Lyle and Kim Anderson to South America; visiting Brazil, Argentina and Columbia.  They were planning on ending the trip with a special stop to see his nephew Clell Knight and his wife Ashley and their children Selma and Gracie.

Throughout the years Mark was employed with CRST HIP Program, Game, Fish & Parks, Environmental Protection Department.  He also worked construction and was a substitute teacher.  From 1996-1997 he served as the Sergeant-at-Arms for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribal Council. Mark also served as the District 4 Council Representative from 1998 to 2006, 2014 to 2016 and 2016 through 2020, which was his final term, for a total of fourteen years serving the people of the Cheyenne River Reservation, which he took honor and pride in doing.  He was also the AAU wrestling coach for Takini School and was the assistant wrestling coach for the C-EB/Dupree Wrestling team.

Mark enjoyed life, was willing to lend a hand when needed, gave some great advice, loved the ranching life and was always ready to share a funny story or two, but his favorite moments in life were when he was spending time with his family which included the 16 extra kids him and Connie welcomed into their home and treated like their own.  He will be dearly missed.

Mark is survived by his wife Connie; daughter Kelsey (Cameron) and her boys Markem and Ryatt; son Tee and his daughter Rilynn.  Mother-in-Law:  Betsy Ducheneaux.  Sisters-in-Law:  Sammi (Donnie) Ducheneaux and Keni Jo (Sam) Ducheneaux.  Brothers-in-Law:  Carlyle and Duffy Ducheneaux.  Special nephews: Kyler Ducheneaux and Payden Cash Peterson.  Brothers: Tom (Carol) Knight, Bill Knight, Jess Knight Jr. Sisters: Lona Knight and Lucy Knight.  Numerous nieces and nephews.

He is preceded in death by his parents Jess and Edie Knight, Brothers:  Monte "Buckshot" Knight and Jeff Knight, Father-in-Law:  Lyle Ducheneaux, Brother-in-Law:  Ford Ducheneaux, Grandma Jennie Hunt, Niece: Heather Knight, Grandparents: William LaPlante & Mamie Jewett, Wally & Sara Knight.