Funeral services for Rufus E. Reeds Sr., 79, of McLaughlin will be at 10 AM, Saturday, January 11, 2025, at Kesling Funeral Home. Burial will be at All Nations Veterans Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. There will be a prayer service at 7 PM Friday, at the funeral home. Rufus passed Thursday, January 2, 2025, at Sanford Medical Center in Bismarck.

Rufus Earl Reeds, Sr., was born in Little Eagle, South Dakota to Elsie Lone Elk (White Shield). Rufus grew up in Little Eagle with his siblings. He attended school in Little Eagle Day School, South Dakota and Fort Yates Boarding School, Fort Yates, North Dakota.  Rufus joined the United States Army on October 9, 1968, and was discharged on October 8, 1970, during this time he served in Vietnam War where he was given the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with expert badges in M14 and M16 rifle. Rufus came home where he worked in various jobs throughout his life to include Schmeichel's Repair Shop, BIA Little Eagle Grant School, IHS security. Rufus met his wife Gloria Thompson and to this union they had three children Rodney Reeds, Rufus Reeds, Jr., and Raquel Thompson (Reeds). Rufus owned and ran cattle east of Bullhead, South Dakota until he retired from ranch life. He regularly attended Messiah Congregational Church and was a lifetime member, he also attended Freedom Fellowship of McLaughlin, South Dakota. Rufus loved working outside at his small ranch west of Little Eagle where he built and repaired his small house and attended his horses time to time, he was a good carpenter, fixed fences and loved visiting his family members in their native tongue.

Rufus is survived by his children, Rodney Reeds; Rufus Reed, Jr., and Raquel Thompson (Reeds) and his grandchildren Morgan Childress, Lexi Franklin, Lane Lawrence; Jacqueline Shippentower; Nigel Shippentower and niece, Millie Daniels.

Rufus is preceded in death by his mother Elsie Lone Elk; grandfather, John White Shield; grandmother, Lottie Wicigna White Shield; brother, Delano White Shield; brother, Kenny Lone Elk; sister, Lottie White Shield; wife Gloria Reeds (Thompson), Delilah, Gladys and Melvin White Shield and aunt, Helen White Shield.