Funeral Service for Ella Mae Iyarpeya, 60 of Waubay, SD will be held on Friday, October 7, 2011 at 2:00 PM at the Enemy Swim Community Center, Waubay, SD with the Rev. Charles Chan, Rev. Cecil Conrad and Rev. Les Campbell officiating. Pianist will be Billy Kohl. Pallbearers will be Charlie Vermillion, Garret Iyarpeya, Matthew Campbell, Henry Hansen Jr., Amos F. Roberts III, Ronald Fayant, Gabriel Barse, Dillion Bluedog "D.J.", Rafeal Bluedog and George Keeble. Honorary Pallbearers will be Roberta (Gypsy)Fayant, Marlene White, Lia Louie, Montel Campbell, and Rachel Roberts. Interment will be in the St. James' Episcopal Cemetery, Enemy Swim, SD. There will be all night Wake Services on Wednesday and Thursday at 7:00 PM at the Enemy Swim Community Center. Ella was born on December 2, 1950 in Sisseton, SD to Jesse and Violet (Keeble) Iyarpeya. She attended school at Enemy Swim and Flandreau Indian School. Following her education she made her home at Enemy Swim where she worked for twenty nine years at the Enemy Swim Elderly Nutrition Center as a cook's helper. She was a member of St. James' Episcopal Church. She enjoyed watching T V, puzzles, listening to country western music and watching videos. Ella made the best fry bread in the world. Ella passed away on October 4, 2011 at the Bethesda Home in Webster, SD.
Ella is survived by two daughters, Grace Iyarpeya of Waubay, SD, Colleen Iyarpeya of Waubay, SD and one son John Iyarpeya of Watertown, SD; two sisters, Noreen Iyarpeya of Waubay, SD and Ruth Iyarpeya of Watertown, SD; and three brothers, Henry, Randolph and Robert Iyarpeya all of Waubay, SD; fourteen grandchildren and many nieces, nephews, and cousins.
Ella was preceded in death by her parents, one sister, Marjorie Campbell, two grandchildren, Jessica Marie Iyarpeya and John Jay Iyarpeya Jr.