Loren Zephier, 68, of Pickstown

Loren died Monday, July 19, 2021 at Avera McKennan Hospital in Sioux Falls. Funeral services are 2 PM, Saturday, July 24, 2021 at the Marty Indian School Gym in Marty. Burial is in St. Paul's Catholic Cemetery in Marty. Wake services will begin Thursday at the gym in Marty. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

ly 19, 2021. He was our father, our brother, our uncle, our grandfather, our friend, our relative and our Chief Golden Light Eagle and or Chief Standing Elk. Loren was the eldest son born to Mildred Zephier (Beautiful Sundance Woman) and Adalbert Zephier, Sr. (Chief Black Spotted Horse).

Loren, Chief Golden Light Eagle, has been in service to the Ihanktowan Oyate all of his life. As a young man and a hunter, he provided his hunt to the community of Greenwood for as long as he was a part of the community. He fed our elders and young children. The Greenwood community could always depend on Loren for fresh deer meat. With his hunting skills he always called upon creator, Tunkasina, and prayer to assist in his hunt. Loren was always successful in providing to the community in this way.

As a young man, Loren always had an interest in music and playing whatever instrument he picked up. He learned to play the guitar, keyboard and flutes of all kinds. He didn't know how to read music and learned by ear. He was a part of several bands in his lifetime, like the Vanishing Americans and Aerial to name a couple. Loren had many jam sessions with many fellow musicians. He was in his beautiful, creative world when he was able to play music. As he got older his music preference turned to the drum with ceremonial songs and Sundance songs that would be healing to all the people he loved.

Not many people knew that Loren was a very talented artist with many art mediums. This was not an art form that he pursed but he was very creative in his vision.

Loren has touched our hearts, minds, bodies and spirits over the years through our relationship with him. In his walk on Mother Earth he always had a big heart for the loves in his life and his children. His children and his grandchildren who were always carried in his heart and prayer are: Julie, Michelle, Shari, Sara, Sage, Millie, Nikki, Sunny, Decorah, Hopi, Derek and all grandchildren and great grandchildren, Hunka children and families.

Since the mid 70's Loren has been a Pipe Carrier and Sundancer. He has been a part of the Ihanktonwan Spiritual Ancestral way of life. Loren has honored his family, friends and all relatives with his dancing in the Pow Wow circles around Indian Country and gave his voice to powerful drum groups. Loren has devoted his life to honoring and loving all who has crossed paths with him, whether it has been at pow wows, sundances, pipe ceremonies and most recently Star Knowledge. Loren held positions and jobs but to him they were not jobs, they were opportunities to share, learn and teach the ways of our ancestors. If it was through art, teaching Dakota language, a musician, a speaker, a hunter and star knowledge, he always used prayer and message of Tunkasina in all that he did. They were not jobs, it was living and sharing the only way he knew how and that was through the love of his people and Tunkasina.

Loren, Chief Golden Light Eagle, Standing Elk had a great impact on his family, relatives and friends throughout the country and the world. The Chief has lived his life in honor and love and we have felt it whether we were seeking advice, jamming to his music, singing with him, dancing with him, talking with him, laughing with him and praying with him. He has given all of us honor and love in all that he shared with us.

Loren was preceded to the Happy Hunting Grounds by his parents and will be welcomed home by his parents Adalbert and Mildred Zephier, wife Rosalyn Zephier, sons Cetan Zephier and Kyle Kills In Sight, brothers Sonny, Gilbert, Adalbert "Buzzy", Leonard, Stanford and Sherwyn. They have prepared a beautiful camp for him!

We will miss Loren, Chief very much and we are very honored, thankful and grateful for all the hugs, smiles, laughs, songs, dances and love that we shared together. Today we honor you the same way with all the love in our hearts. Travel well Chief!! Tunkasina will caress your face and tell you "Thank you! Job well done, you are home now."

Siblings living with love for their brother are; brothers: Basil Heth, Izadore Zephier, Darrell Iron Wing, Guy Zephier Sr., Ira Zephier Sr., John Zephier Sr.; sisters: Gertie Godoy, Michelle Zephier, Adele Zephier, Twila Zephier, Suzette Zephier and Sarah Zephier.