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Obituaries

Journey to the Spirit World

This page serves as a space to honor and remember the lives of our tribal members who have passed away. Here, we come together as a compassionate and supportive community to pay tribute to their legacies.

Obituary picture of Kenneth D. Burshiem III
Kenneth D. Burshiem III

Born July 15, 1992
Journeyed to the Spirit World – June 26, 2015

Kenneth DuWayne Bursheim, III, “Maka Yucan Can Mani”, The Ground Shakes As He Walks”, 22 entered the spirit world in the early morning of June 26, 2015 in an accidental drowning at the dam in Flandreau, SD. He was born to Kenneth “John Boy” Bursheim, Jr. and Sondra “Annie” Wakeman on July 15, 1992 at Pipestone, MN. Kenneth grew up and went to school at Flandreau Public School. When Kenneth was young he like to sing and dance and would sit down at any drum and sing. Kenneth was a sundancer and really believed in our Native American way. He loved to make people laugh and had his way of always making you feel loved. His smile could light up the room. Kenneth was known to be very well mannered and very respectful and always there to help. He met Tashina his companion the love of his life and had 3 children, Mathias age 5, Kenneth IV age 4 and Nevaeh age 3. Kenneth was so proud of his children. Kenneth loved his Gramma’s and had a special relationship with them. He was Gramma Marvel’s baby and he knew it. His Gramma Bev named him “Sweet Pea” and he was her sweet pea. He had a special friend, Liz Wakeman who said, Kenneth was the only kid that wasn’t scared of her and Kenneth always did little jobs for her and she had little bags with candy and money in them that she made especially for him. Kenneth’s God mother was DeVon Bursheim and his Godfathers were Patrick Deutsch, Jr., Tilmer Selvage and Jared Goodsell and Kenneth always knew he could count on them. His brother Keith said, “He’ll miss every damn thing about him!” Kenneth had a special relationship with his cousin, Sara who he confided in every time he was feeling down or just needed someone to talk to. He is survived his by mother, Annie Wakeman (Robert Sanchez), father, Kenneth Jr., brothers, Brandon, Keith, Brooks, Ray, Sidney and JJ, sisters, Robin, Beverly and Jasmine. Grandmothers Marvel and Barbara, Great grandmother Beverly and many aunts and uncle, nephews, nieces and cousins. He was preceded in death by his grandfathers Kenneth Bursheim, Sr., and RK Wakeman.

Funeral services will be Tuesday, June 30, 2015, 10:00 AM at the Wicoicaga Otipi Community Center, Flandreau with burial in First Presbyterian Cemetery, Flandreau. Vigil services will be for three nights at 7:00 pm starting Saturday night at the community center.

Pallbearers: Michael Wakeman, Julian Bursheim, Keith Bursheim, Michael Selvage, Jr., Tilmer Selvage, JB Goodsell, BJ DuMarce, Edwin DuMarce, Bailyn Bursheim, Austin Shepherd, JJ Bursheim

Honorary Bearers: Christopher Barse, Tracy Barse, Darren Roy, Konrad Roy, Aaron Fisherman, JC Fisherman, Steven Cadotte, Zach Hill.