Funeral Service for Barbara Martha King, 88, of Agency Village, SD will be held on Friday, August 25, 2023 at 1:00 P.M. at the Buffalo Lake District Center, Eden, SD with CRE Gerald Heminger Jr., Mike and Clifford LaFontaine, and Clyde Kampeska officiating. Drum Group will be Louie Johnson. Pall Bearers will be Kevin LaFontaine, Tracer Barse, Sheldon Kipp, Brandon Harwood, Louie Johnson, Sam Harwood, Craig All Runner and Wallace Hosie Jr. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Glorine Renville, Pauline Kipp, Geraldine Locke, Cheryl Spider, Kayla Anderson, Jake DeMarrias, Peggy King, Evelyn Pilcher, Sharon Feather, Marcella Haug and Brenda King. There will be two all nights wakes on Wednesday, August 23, and Thursday, August 24, 2023 starting at 7:00 P.M. at the Buffalo Lake District Center, Eden SD. Interment will be at the Buffalo Lake Presbyterian Cemetery, Eden, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Barbara Martha King was born on July 26th, 1935 in Sisseton, South Dakota and passed away on August 20th, 2023 at Coteau Hospital in Sisseton, South Dakota surrounded by loved ones.  She was 88 years old and told those close to her that she was ready.

Barbara was born to Blanche Hill and Jesse King in Sisseton, South Dakota. She and her two sisters Carol and Darlene grew up in the Buffalo Lake Community.  When it was time for them to go to school, they attended school in the Buffalo Lake Church.  Later they were sent to Wahpeton Indian School where Barbara attended school through the eighth grade.  After her schooling, Barbara then came home to Buffalo Lake and took care of her mom and dad for many years.

Barbara raised not only her two boys Leslie and Donovan, she also helped raise Louie and Sherry Johnson's children.  She was a special "Babra" to Luke, Autumn, Chris and Getters.

Barbara had a special friend, Paul Robertson, and they made their home for many years in Old Agency at the Elderly apartments near Tiospa Zina Tribal School.  Autumn was always "Sweetie" and Getters was "Baby" and Barbara would always tell stories about them.  Paul could often be seen riding the school bus to the head start building with "Baby" because she would not go without him.  Or "Baby was saying come on Grandpa lets go kill snakes". Chris "Little Man" was always dear to them and Barbara was especially proud of him. When Luke was working at Old Agency, he would go over to Barbara's house and have lunch every day with her.  She said often that she misses him.

Barbara also babied Elaine's girl Boo Boo.  Their special trip was to Taco John's where Barbara liked to treat her.  Barbara had connections to all the little ones.  Barbara was so kind hearted.

Barbara was a cancer warrior.  She battled colon cancer for a few years.  She never complained through the treatments but did what she needed to do.  She was a strong woman and remained cancer free through-out the rest of her years.

Barbara loved to embroider flour sack dishtowels.  When you visited her house, she could be seen sitting in her chair sewing away and watching "Gun Smoke".  She embroidered hundreds of towels for memorials and giveaways for people. And she did not want the cheap ones either!  She wanted the thick expensive dishtowels that were in certain stores and she let you know!

On June 29th, 2023, Barbara was honored at the Tribal Administration Building by the Tribal Council, the Executives and the Buffalo Lake District as the "Elder of the year" for the Buffalo Lake District.  Her certificate read, "The honor is Bestowed upon our Tribal Elder for Legacy of Our Tribal Community, Longevity of Life, Caring of Our Tribal Language, Traditions, Customs, Culture and Faith of the Sisseton-Wahpeton Oyate."

Barbara was so loved and had many friends.  She liked to call people and have those short telephone conversation visits.  There were many people that were special to her and they were intertwined in her life.  She often talked about Greenie, Kevin and Sam, her grandson, as they were a part of her everyday life.  She loved the beautiful star quilt that was given to her from Autumn's funeral and Kevin hung it on the wall at her house.  And now, her quilt that she thought was so beautiful proudly rests on her casket.  Toksta Babra…you will be missed. Barbara passed away on Sunday, August 20, 2023 at Coteau Des Prairies Hospital, Sisseton, SD.

Barbara is survived by her children Leslie King of Eden, SD and Donovan King of Buffalo Lake, SD; sister Carol Iron Moccasin of Sisseton, SD; grandson Daniel Lee King of Sisseton, SD; nieces Sherry and Louie Johnson Family, Crystal Harwood Renville Family, Elizabeth Hoise Family, Darla King Family and Pauline Kipp Family.

Barbara is preceded in death by her parents Jesse and Blanche (Hill) King; son Shawn Renville; sister Darlene King; two granddaughter Autumn Johnson and Ashley King; maternal grandparents Elizabeth and Sam Hill; paternal grandparents Martha Bear and Sam King.