Funeral Service for Michael Little Bear "Kopekiksni", 69, of Kenel will be held at 12:00 PM, Monday, September 8, 2025, at the Church of Assumption in Kenel with a procession to leave Kesling Funeral Home at 11:30 AM. Michael passed away Thursday, January 16, 2025, at St. Alexius Hospital in Bismarck.  Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.

On Thursday January 5, 1956, in the wee morning hours Floyd & Alma (Sac) Little Bear had a son named Michael Little Bear, the family lived out in the country. Mike was intelligent, humble, and had a caring compassionate heart for all people who crossed his path. He helped his Father chop wood, pump water, pick barriers, dig turnips, and fished for the families. His father would load up the rest of the children, nieces & nephews and they went to school on a Team Horse Wagon to the Kenel Day School, once one of his ears froze. He attended McLaughlin Public School for elementary grades and later went on to Standing Rock Community High School and graduated in May of 1974. Mike went on to Black Hills State College and studied Arts where he later completed his degree. His parents purchased him a Black/White 1957 Chevy Impala, his Father taught him vehicle mechanic duties on the family vehicles. He moved back to Standing Rock Reservation, worked several jobs in the medical field as an ambulance driver & certified EMT working on the Standing Rock Ambulance service. Later Mike attended Sitting Bull Community College he received a few degrees. His last position at The Day Treatment Program in Fort Yates, ND he held was an addiction counselor, he loved his job was ready day & night when his clients called on him. He set up AA meetings in other communities of Standing Rock. Mike loved & had compassion for all animals and were welcomed into his home.

Mike is survived by Daughter: Misty Little Bear McLaughlin, SD. Stepdaughter: Tammy Marker Mobridge, SD. Brothers: Kevin Little Bear Fort Yates, ND. Conrad Little Bear Rapid City, SD. Gerard Little Bear Kenel, SD. Stepson: Robert Marker, Steve Marker. Mobridge SD. Sister: Iris Payer Winnebago, NE. Several Grandchildren, Nieces and Nephews. Brother-in-law Tim Fox. Cousins John Reilly Eugene, OR, Raymond Harrison Elko, NV, George Sac Everett, WA, Iris Bower Lake Havasu, AZ & Edith Harrison CA. Alvina Martin, Kenel, SD.

Mike was preceded in death by his parents Floyd and Alma Little Bear, Wife Sally Marker, Brother Shawn Little Bear, Son Jan Michael Little Bear, Sister Mary Ann Ellis & Lorrie Little Bear, Jeannie Little Bear, Nephew Garrett Little Bear, Cousins Kathy Wiley, Elvis & Phillip Little Bear, Clayton Summers, Antoinette & Cleo Summers, Uncles Fremont & Melvin Little Bear, Aunts Wilma Jordan, Garnett McLaughlin, Effie Little Bear, 12 Aunts & 1 Uncle on his Mother's side.