Funeral Service for George Washington Robertson "Ta Tonka Cistina" Little Buffalo, 86 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Monday, December 1, 2008 at 10:30 A.M. at Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD with the Rev. Clifford Chanku and Fillmore Simon CLP officiating. Music will be provided by a Traditional Drum Group. Pallbearers will be Carl Lufkins Jr., Terry Lufkins, Bruce DuMarce, Alois Jeff Wanna, Stacy Wanna, Gordon Robertson, and Rob Graywater, and Alvis Lee Robertson. Honorary Pallbearers will be George's Family at Tekakwitha Living Center, and his AA Family. Burial will be in the Buffalo Lake Presbyterian Cemetery. Military Rites by The Vietnam Veterans. There will be an all night wake on Sunday, November 30, 2008, starting at 7:00 P.M. at the Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel of Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.
George was born on February 22, 1922 in Sisseton, South Dakota to Thomas A. and Agnes (Long) Robertson. He grew up and attended school at Saint. Michael, ND and graduated from Pipestone Boarding School. George worked for local farmers before entering the United States Army on February 1, 1943 and serving until January 23, 1946. He was a Screaming Eagle in the 101st Airborne and he had two jumps one at Normandy on D-Day June 6, 1944 Operation Overlord and into Holland September 17, 1944 Operation Market Garden, he also served in the Battles at Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, and Campaign Central Europe. PFC Robertson's service notations and honors include the following, Belgian Fouragere, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Metal with four Bronze Service Stars, Bronze Arrowhead, and Distinguish Unit Badge with Oak Leaf Cluster, American Campaign Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, Lapel Button ASR, Overseas Service Bars, Good Conduct Medal. George was united in marriage to Katherine Demarrias in 1949. They moved to Chicago in the 1950's then moved to Cleveland, Ohio and he participated in the Indian Dance club. His wife, Katherine passed away in 1969. The family moved to AZ where George was a bus driver and custodian in the Casa Blanca School District. He retired as a BIA employee and was a founding member of the 1st Sober Drum Group in Arizona in 1978. George was united in marriage to Eliza Jane Antone in Phoenix, AZ. George's hobbies included Dakota Traditional singing and dancing, traveling and attending church. George returned to Sisseton in 2004 and entered the Tekakwitha Living Center where he passed away on November 26, 2008.
George is survived by one son Alvis Lee Robertson of Tempe, AZ and one daughter, Norma Jean Robertson of Chicago, IL; three step children, Alfred Sarnowski of Oneida, WI, Veronica Lopez of San Bernardino, CA, and Pamela Robertson of Chicago, IL; nine grandchildren and numerous great grandchildren and several great-great grandchildren.
George was preceded in death by his parents, his wives, Katherine and Eliza, one granddaughter, Norma Christine Robertson, several brothers and sisters, two step children, Joanne Sarnowski Metzger and Linda Lori Demarrias.
For his obituary and on-line registry please visit www.cahillfuneralchapel.com