Mass of Christian Burial for Mary Walking Elk, age 47, of Modesto, CA and formerly of Kenel, SD will be Sat. Nov. 12, 2011 at 11 AM CST at Catholic Church of Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kenel. Rosary will be Fri. at 7 PM at the church. Burial will be in the Church Cemetery, Kesling Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements. Mary passed away Tuesday, November 1, 2011 in Modesto, CA.

Mary Catherine Walking Elk was born to Norman Walking Elk and Shirley Parker-Walking Elk on February 3, 1964. Mary attended school at Fort Yates and McLaughlin Schools. She moved to California in 1981 and lived with her sister Norma while attending college. Mary met Adam Avalos Sr. in 1983 while attending Modesto Junior College. She was learning how to become a welder which she did for 8 years.

Mary married Adam Avalos and two sons were born from this union. Franklin Walking Elk Avalos and Adam Lee Avalos, Jr. She was good with horses and would ride them any chance she got. She enjoyed riding her bike, visiting family and friends, playing horse shoes and playing dominos. She took culinary arts classes to improve her cooking as a homemaker. She loved to sew and would spend hours doing so. She loved to listen to Elvis Presley and Janis Joplin.

She moved around a lot and lived in Petaluma, CA and Ukiah, CA. She was in a relationship with John Alonzo for 19 years and Joseph, Willy and Shirleona Walking Elk were born from this union.

She is survived by her five children. Franklin Avalos of Ceres CA, Adam Avalos Jr. of Ceres, CA. Joseph Walking Elk, Willy Walking Elk and Shirleona Walking Elk of Modesto, CA. Brothers Gary Walking Elk, Mobridge SD, Norman "Lil Guy" Walking Elk of Whitehorse, SD, Joseph Walking Elk, Kenel, SD. Sisters Norma Walking Elk, Medford, OR and Colette Walking Elk, Kenel SD.

She was preceded in death by her Paternal grandparents Mark Walking Elk, Sr. and Florestine Peltier Crow Ghost and Maternal Grandparents Sam Parker and Catherine Martin. Her parents Norman Walking Elk and Shirley Parker Walking Elk. Her brother Franklin Walking Elk and her uncle Gene Parker, Godparents Cecil and Dora White Bull.

I did the best I could in piecing together Pebbles past. If I have left something or somebody out, I apologize.

Casketbearers will be Franklin Avalos ~ Adam Avalos ~ Joseph Walking Elk ~ Willy Walking Elk ~ Justin Walking Elk ~ Dennis Jones ~ Michael Jones ~ Delyle Left Hand ~ Norman Walking Elk ~ Gary Walking Elk

Honorary Casketbearers: Misti Jones, Gordon and Lavonne White Bull, Estelle & Hobart Lone Hill, Butch Walking Elk Family, Robbie Rough Surface, Evelyn & Marlon Weston, Paige, Karrie, Sherrie, Amanda, Kayla and Shirley Walking Elk. Lindsey and Lori Lyons. Melda Crow Feather, Loran & Mary Bowman, Mark Lone Hill, Isabelle Crow Feather, Clifford Walking Elk Family, Justine Parker, Gilford Walking Elk Family, Clayton Left Hand Family, Claudette Walking Elk Family and all her friends in Modesto, CA.

Horseback Riders will be Tom Baker, Sr. ~ Dustin Marshall ~ Delyle Left Hand ~ Jeff Cadotte, Jr. ~ Todd Walking Elk ~ Jimmy Gayton ~ Kerby St. John ~ Al St. John ~ Kitt St. John