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Funeral services for Stella L. Guggolz age 82 of Little Eagle, will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, July 30, 2019 at Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge, SD. Interment will be in the Guggolz Family Cemetery in Little Eagle, SD under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home. Visitation will be Monday 5:00 PM with a prayer service at 7:00 PM at the Kesling Funeral Home. Stella passed away Tuesday, July 23, 2019 at Mobridge Regional Hospital.

Stella Lillian Whitesell was born to Charles and Racheal (Buckley/Black Fox) Whitesell on May 6, 1937 2 ½ miles south west of Little Eagle, South Dakota in a tent at the Civilian Conservation Camp where her father was employed during the depression years in the nineteen thirties. At age one (1), the family moved west of the Grand River bridge south of Little Eagle, SD where she was raised until at the age of 6. Her early years of school, along with her older brother, Stella attended Pierre Indian Boarding School in Pierre, SD and finished eighth grade there. Stella continued her education attending St. Elizabeth Mission in Wakpala, SD.

Stella enjoyed and lived a country life. The most fun times in the country were riding horseback with her brothers and neighbors. Other adventurous times were fishing, swimming, picking wild berries, digging for turn-ups, chasing fireflies, setting out by camp fires, and attending pow-wows. She took part in training race horses and helped riding the horses to Horse Racing events with her family. The family raised cattle, chickens, and three milk cows where Stella and her brother took turns milking. Stella helped with the family garden, helped her dad and brothers put up hay.

The wide open spaces and wagon trails all make up the country life for Stella's early years. Her family traveled in team and wagon to haul water and firewood, visiting neighbors, as well as traveling to churches and to nearby towns. Unfortunately, the country life abruptly came to an end in the late fifties when Stella's family resettle in nearby town of Wakpala when the Lake Oahe Settlement took place.

Due to a death in her family at the age of 10, Stella returned home on a bus from Pierre Indian School. The school officials placed her on the bus and gave firm instructions to not get off the bus until you reach Selby, SD. Which was at that time a Greyhound Bus Terminal. She was instructed that her Dad will meet her there. Stella was only given instruction but no reason why she was put on the bus until she met her dad. The news was that her younger sister passed away.

Stella marks her Grandfather, Abraham as being the most influential person in her life as he shared sound advice. Among them were the spiritual and healing ways her grandfather used with plants and herbs. She remembers the unique ways her grandpa healed the very sick. In 1958 Stella suffered a great loss, when she lost her closest brother, Frank, in a drowning accident.

On November 5, 1965, Stella and Paul William Guggolz, Sr. were married in McLaughlin, SD. During her early years of her marriage, she continued to be active by helping her husband operate the farm and ranch. She was no stranger to hard work. She helped her husband drive ranch equipment and farm machinery during the harvest season, running the baler, combine, driving the grain truck making numerous trips to the elevator and for other services.

Stella is no stranger to hard work. When her husband found employment at different ranches, she maintained a strong threshold to hold up her end. In the early 70's, Stella and her husband, Paul semi-retired and moved south of McLaughlin where Stella and her family made their home. In March 2014 she lost her husband, Paul of 48 years. Stella continued to stand strong to maintain her household.

Stella was employed in various jobs which included driving gravel truck hauling Hot Mix which was used to develop roads in the communities. Among those who worked with her at this job were Floyd Montclair, Edison Uses Arrow. She also worked in Law Enforcement as dispatcher, and later employed at the Grand River Casino in the early years of the Casinos development.

Stella traveled many places. Which included a time spent in Texas with her family. Other places traveled were the East and West coast visiting her daughters. Other highlights of her travels were feeling the waters of the ocean and visiting the Empire State Building in New York City.

Stella is a member of the Post 239 American Legion Auxiliary. A member of the Good Shepard Episcopal Church where she was part of the Women's Auxiliary. She was involved in her community helping with fund raisers, and helping where ever she can.

Stella was a proud mother of a son and daughter who are actively involved in the military service and a proud grandmother of five grandchildren who were also actively involved in the military service.

Stella spoke her native language fluently and spoke it with great pride. She enjoyed visiting with anyone who spoke and understood the Lakota language. She enjoyed reminiscing about old times. In recent years, Stella stood ready to help, advise and share her knowledge of life's experiences and challenges. She was a strong advocate for justice. A strong voice in her community. Ready to help anyone in need. She stood as motherhood to her siblings.

Stella enjoyed and attended many sporting events. Among them were basketball, Softball, local rodeos and watching televised PBR and NBA. Among her favorite was watching the Golden State Warriors. Go Warriors!!!! Stella will be greatly missed. She loved family gatherings, playing cards, enjoying her grandchildren.

Having shared her life are four sons, Paul (Jamie Grioux) Guggolz Jr., McLaughlin, SD, David (Teresa Dame) Guggolz, Mobridge, SD; John Guggolz, Rapid City, SD and Wayne Looking Back, Wakpala, SD. five daughters, Leslie Confer, McLaughlin, Lynette Winslow, Wichita, Kansas, Jade Whitesell, Browning, Montana, Patricia Hourahan, South Amboy, New Jersey, Lakota Sue Guggolz Her special friend Skeeter Malone. She is survived by 26 Grandchildren, 44 Great Grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Also surviving are two sisters, Roselyn (Andrew) Sandland, McLaughlin, SD and Lavonne (Jeff) Pearson, St. Cloud, Minnesota. Special Nieces, Heather Whitesell and Ashley Whitesell. Rapid City, SD. Special, Aunt Deloris Taken Alive. Hunka Sisters, Helmine Makes Him First and Nina Mata.

Preceding her in death is her husband, Paul William Guggolz Sr., daughter, Roselyn Lillian Whitesell. Her parents, Charles and Rachael Whitesell, four brothers, Frank Earlwin Whitesell, Sidney Charles Whitesell, Philip Francis Farrel and Cecil Daniel Whitesell, One sister, Josephine Marie (Jo Marie) Whitesell, Paternal Grandparents, William and Josephine (Whitebull) Whitesell, Maternal Grandparents, Abraham and Maude (Blackfox) Buckley.