Funeral Service for Elden Sherman Hayes Sr., Iyotaka Wambdi, "Sitting Eagle", 55, of Agency Village, SD will be held on Friday, August 21, 2015 at 2:00 P.M. at the Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD. CLP Jr. Heminger, Rev. Mike Owen, Rev. Bob Beasley, Levi Keoke, and Clyde Kampeska Lay Reader will be officiating. Pianist will be Billy Kohl. Pallbearers will be Alden Hayes Jr., Stephan Hayes, Marcus Roy, Garrett Ojeda, Jesse Hayes, Landis Barse, Matt Cleveland and Sky Lawrence. Honorary Pallbearers will be Larry Keoke Jr., Alan Shepherd, Rick Ojeda, Joe (Lil Joe) White III, Mike LaFontaine Sr., Bryan Lawrence, Jacky White, Harry Renville, Marlon Amos, John German Sr., Irvin Hill Sr., Lloyd (Bubba) LaBelle, Patrick Rondell, James (JC) Crawford, Perry Williams, Mandel Yankton, Chuck Floro, Robert Iyarpeya, Dean Renville, Thomas DeCoteau Sr., Arnold DeCoteau, Delbert Pumpkinseed, and All of Elden's Family, Friends, & loved ones that have passed on before him, Family, Friends & Co-Workers though out the years, and all the youth with the Boys & Girls Clubs. Interment will be in the Ascension Presbyterian Cemetery, Big Coulee, SD. Wake Services will be held at the Tribal Community Center at 7:00 P.M. on Wednesday, August 19, 2015 and Thursday, August 20, 2015 will be an all-night wake. The Cahill Funeral Chapel., Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.
Elden Sherman Hayes Sr. Iyotaka Wambdi-Sitting Eagle was born on February 5, 1960 in Sisseton, SD to Karen Hayes–Niles. He grew up and lived in the Big Coulee area attending school at the Big Coulee Day School. Then later transferred to attend school in Wilmot and finally at the Sisseton School District obtaining his GED in 1976. Through out his high school years Elden was best known for his athletic abilities and was often considered an "Incredible Athlete" by classmates and team mates. One of his proudest accomplishments was achieving a record that stood for twenty six years in the 400 meter relay with a time of 50.8 second. The record was set in 1974 with three fellow classmates, JC Crawford, Scott Deutsch and Pat Rondell and remained there until it was beat in 1999. His love of sports and athletic ability were often credited with giving him the structure and discipline his life needed. By 1978 he met and fell in love with his soul mate, Sara Lawrence and on June 15, 1978 they married and remained so they just celebrated thirty seven years together this past June. They had four children, Karen Hayes, Alden Hayes Jr., Stephan Hayes and Jesse Hayes and one son Marcus
Roy and five grandchildren, Jessica Hayes, Emanuel Hayes, Payton Bernard, Drew Bernard and Blake Bernard. After his education Elden worked various jobs in the area but found his calling once he started with the Boys & Girls Club. He later started a boys & Girls Club at Agency and Peever. He loved the opportunity to give the kids a safe place every day. The impact they had on his life with be present in generations to come. Elden's main source of pleasure came from the moment he could get away with his fishing pole. The world would remember and miss most was his amazing gift with words and the power his poems had with people. He spoke from his heart and soul and his words will continue to live on in the lived of all of those he touched. Elden passed away on August 17, 2015 at his home in Agency Village. SD.
Elden is survived by his wife Sara Hayes of Agency village, SD; daughter, Karen Hayes sons Alden Hayes Jr., Stephan Hayes, Jesse Hayes and Marcus Roy all of Sisseton, SD; five grandchildren; his father Joe and Cathy White of Sisseton, SD; five brothers, James Thieberge of San Francisco, CA; Chris Thieberge of San Francisco, CA; Ramsey Bagola of Oklahoma; Mario Bagola of Montana; and Francis White III of Sisseton, SD; eight sisters, Erna Schmitt of Germany; Roxanne Wright of Rosholt, SD; Anna Free of ST. Paul, MN; Carol White Lyons of Watertown, SD; Paula Guffin of Sisseton, SD; Laura Small of Sioux Falls, SD; Faustine Hisgun of Sisseton, SD; and Cheryl Eagle of Sisseton, SD; and two grandchildren, Emanuel and Jessica Hayes.
He was preceded in death by his mother, one sister and one brother, and his maternal and paternal grandparents.
For Elden's obituary and on-line registry please visit www.cahillfuneralchapel.com