Mass of Christian Burial for Norman Walking Elk, 73, of Kenel will be 11:00 AM CT Thurs. April 28, 2011 at the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary in Kenel. Burial will be in the Catholic Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. All night wake will start at 5PM at the church on Wed. April 27, 2011 with a prayer service at 7 PM. Mr. Walking Elk passed away, Friday, April 22, 2011 at the Mobridge Regional Hospital in Mobridge.

Norman Joseph Walking Elk AKA "Paha Najin Kte", a lifelong resident was born in a log cabin in Kenel and delivered by his aunt midwife, Rose Pheasant. Norman was the youngest son of nine children born June 26, 1937 to Mark Walking Elk Sr. of Kenel and Florestine Pelletier of Yorkton, Saskatchewan Canada. He was a top notch heavy equipment operator well known in the construction business as a finish blade operator in North and South Dakota building roads, dams and landscaping. He was also the Foreman of Community Action for the whole Standing Rock Reservation. He was the instructor for heavy equipment of all kinds reservation wide. He was also an excellent mechanic. Norman attended Kenel elementary school and Fort Yates Community High School. He joined the US Army earning expert sharp shooter medals. He became an expert marksman from hunting wild game on the reservation for home and older people that needed it. He always helped other people but refused recognition or made anyone pay for it.

He was a good baseball player, a very good pitcher and second baseman. He played for the Kenel Arrows. He also played basketball for the Kenel Jets. He married and is survived by his best friend and lifelong companion for 36 years Flora Halsey. To this marriage his children, Colette, Joseph, Woody, Melissa and David came. He was an excellent father. He is also survived by grandchildren, Philip, Jake, Katie, Kelsey, Jeni, Laex, Taylor and Woody; four children from his previous marriage, Gary, Norma Jean, Mary and Norman. Also surviving are his sisters, Julia Rencountre and Estelle and Hobart Lone Hill of Rapid City. He was preceded in death by his mother and father, sisters, Alice, Evelyn, Gloria and Aurelia; brothers, George Chase Alone and Mark Louie; son, Frankie.

CASKETBEARERS:
Joseph Walking Elk,David Rucks, Woodrow W. Star, III, Delray Demery,Christopher Miner,Casey Miner,Mark Lone Hill, Kieter Demery

HONORARY CASKETBEARERS:
Clyde Walking Elk, Sr., Cliffard Walking Elk, Charles Walking Elk, Joseph Miner, Kenny McLaughlin, Sr., Tim Hertel, Dewey Austin, Anthony Vermillion, and If We
Missed Anyone We Apologize