Funeral services for Mary Jane Tiokasin, age 82 of McLaughlin will be at 11 AM CT, Saturday, December 28, 2013 at the McLaughlin School Gym. Burial will be at St. Peter's Catholic Cemetery in Ft. Yates under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. An all night wake will begin Friday at 7 PM at the gym. Family and friends will be meeting at Kesling Funeral Home at 5 PM Friday. Mary Jane was called home to the creator on December 16, 2013 at the Mobridge Regional Hospital, Mobridge, SD.

Mary Jane Thompson was born June 24, 1931 in Black Diamond, Saskatchewan, Canada, to Amy Jennie Crow Ghost and John Thompson.

As a young girl resided in Little Eagle, SD with her sister. She helped her grandmother can fruits and vegetables, helped her also with housework and took care of her grandfather's horses.

From then on, she attended Pierre Indian School, Pierre, SD, where she received her eighth grade diploma. Because of the love for her grandparents, she helped and took care of them. Which resulted in her receiving her GED at Pierre Indian School. On May 7, 2008 she then received her Honorary Associates Arts Degree in General Studies from Sitting Bull College.

On December 2, 1966 she was united in marriage with the love of her life, Bernard Tiokasin of Ft. Yates, ND. In her vibrant life, she was a loving wife, mother, team mate, grandparent and friend. Growing up she had a great love for sports and horses. She had coached women's softball and basketball teams for many years. She helped organize AAU track runners for Fort Yates District in the time she lived there. She participated in and supported youth rodeos and tirelessly supporting youth at sporting events as a #1 fan of basketball, football, track, and cross country.

In the late 1990's, she was one of the founding mothers of the Bear Soldier South Housing Area. She cared for and loved her Native American people, that she went to extreme lengths for their well being and comfort.

Mary Jane is survived by her children, daughters, Inez Morris of Bismarck, ND, Michele WolfNecklace, Ft. Yates, ND, Phyllis Hurst of Edinburg, Texas, Carol Elk Nation, Eagle Butte, SD, Bernalyn Tiokasin, McLaughlin, SD and Norma (Carroll) Alexander, McLaughlin, SD. Sons; Lyle Elk Nation, Eagle Butte, SD and Virgil Tiokasin, Ft. Yates, ND. Grandchildren; Eden, Sierra, Jerrica and Payton Tiokasin, Cody and Kyler Ducheneaux, Jayson and Patrick Running Hawk and Princess Ameena Craion. 2 great grandchildren; Aril Iron Thunder and David Romero III. And numerous other grandchildren and great grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Bernard, sons; Dennis Hardison, James Elk Nation and infant son. Daughter; Denise Maynard, Sister, Evelyn Thompson, Brother; Howard Klein, Mother, Jennie Crow Ghost and Father; John Thompson.