Funeral services will be Monday, February 17, 2014 at 1:00 PM at the Grace Lutheran Church in Sisseton, SD. There will be wake services on Saturday and Sunday, February 15th and 16th at 7:00 PM at the Tribal Community Center at Agency Village, SD.                                                       Gerald Leroy German Sr., also known as "Smoky", was born September 3, 1931 to John and Amelia (Owen) German, rural Peever, SD. He was born in a tent, delivered by his grandmother, Amanda (Tiomanipi) Owen. He began his journey back to our Creator on February 12, 2014, at home, with his wife, Lorraine, and his loved ones by his side. Smoky lived a rewarding life and raised his family on his farm/ranch. He and Lorraine planted a garden every year; they would joke about whose garden it was, especially if the crop was very successful. He was actively involved in rodeo and trail rides; he was a rancher until the very end. He had a horse named "Sorrel" that he thought the world of; Sorrel would often just start bucking out of nowhere, on trail rides or anywhere, and he would have to take him aside and "talk" to him. Sorrel would come back very well-behaved. It was a sad day when he had to bury his horse in 2005. He and his youngest son, Gerald Jr., formed "German Rodeo Bulls" and raised bucking bulls. Smoky and Lorraine followed the German Rodeo Bulls wherever they were scheduled to buck. His prize bull, "Panda", won Bull of the Year and earned his owners belt buckles-he was very proud of that bull and Panda's picture earned a spot on their living room wall. In his younger days, he farmed the land as well as ranched with his father. He rode in many rodeos in his younger years, with Percy "Eddy Collins" Kirk, his Uncle and friend. In one summer, he rode over 68 rough stock and another time he rode ten (10) saddle bronc and ten (10) bareback in one day; never bucked off any of them. He was a bull rider & bronc rider and passed his knowledge on to his children and grandchildren. He also taught his daughters how to barrel race and pole bend; he was an active parent and teacher of rodeo and ranching. He was very proud that the rodeo and ranching lifestyle lives on in the family. He enjoyed being the MC for many rodeos held at the Old Agency rodeo grounds. He was a Member Judge for the National Pro Bull Riding Association, Inc. In Year 2000. He believed in hard, honest work and didn't have much time for liars or thieves. He lived by the Cowboy Code. In the past, an honorable man kept his word on a handshake. Smoky was a very generous man. He served the Big Coulee District as their Tribal Councilman from 1983-1986; and, again from October 22, 1999 to January 2, 2007. He shared his earnings generously with many of the Big Coulee District elders, Ascension Presbyterian Church and many of the homeless. You could count on Smoky and Lorraine to attend the district basket socials and make their contribution to whatever cause was before them. Prior to his tenure as Councilman, Smoky worked for the BIA Roads Department for twelve (12) years and was Program Manager of the Tribal Roads Department for several years until he was elected to Tribal Council. In 1991, he traveled to Albuquerque, NM to teach heavy equipment operating and about driving 18-wheelers to the Navajo BIA road crew. Before he settled down working in the BIA & Tribal Roads Departments, he traveled throughout South Dakota building roads. He relocated his family to Mill City, Oregon in 1952 to work on the Detroit Dam Project, returning home in 1953.

Gerald "Smoky" German and Lorraine (Ryan) German were united in marriage on September 1, 1950. They raised twelve (12) children, five (5) sons and seven (7) daughters. They also raised three grandsons and one granddaughter. While raising their own children, they unselfishly welcomed at least twelve other kids into their home over time and cared for them. They loved attending rodeos and wrestling tournaments in support of their children and grandchildren. They would also camp out every year at the Old Agency Ceremonial Grounds even though they only lived 6 miles away. He had a favorite camping spot and looked forward to setting up camp near the CHR First Aide Station, where his wife and her staff attended to the health needs of the people every year at the annual Fourth of July Pow-wow. He enjoyed listening to the drum and watching their grandchildren and great-grandchildren dance, as well as visiting family and friends. They would also go to the carnival in Sisseton every year; they enjoyed watching their grandchildren have fun; the kids liked to run to Grandma & Grandpa's car to say hi then go have fun again. Smoky enjoyed the Peever Snooze Alley Bash, Fort Sisseton, and other such events. Smoky enjoyed old-time country music and loved to dance. All of his kids and their kids learned how to two-step at an early age. He and Lorraine were always the first ones out on the dance floor at the sobriety dances. They loved the Prairie Winds Band and appreciated their talents very much. Smoky also loved baseball and played with his Uncle Pierce Owen on the Big Coulee team. Smoky enjoyed reading Western Horseman and historical documents and journals; he was very interested in the history of his family and shared his knowledge of ancestry with his children. He enjoyed watching the History Channel, old-time westerns, Andy Griffith, Bonanza & Gunsmoke.

Gerald "Smoky" German Sr. is survived by his wife of 64 years, Lorraine, and sons, Wayne German Sr., Glenn (Carla) German Sr., John German Sr., and Gerald (Kara) German Jr.; daughters, Myrna (Jake) Thompson, Ann German, Nadine (Terry) Fredericks, Geri (Troy) Opsal, Lita German, and Deann (Rick) Huff; three sisters, Rosella Heminger, Marlene Ironheart, Alta German; one brother, Owen Dean German, 42 grandchildren, 100 great-grandchildren and 3 great-great-grandchildren.

Smoky was preceded in death by one daughter, Donna Marie German and one son, Bruce Laverne German Sr., one grandson, Jake Larsen, one great-granddaughter, Giselle German; his parents, Mr. & Mrs. John (Jack) and Amelia German, his Paternal Grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. John and Christine German Sr.; his Maternal Grandparents, Mr. & Mrs. Charlie and Amanda Owen; his Aunts, Mrs. Melinda (Herbert) Spider, Mrs. Rose (Joe) Starlight, Mrs. Grace (David) Two Stars, and one Uncle, Mr. Pierce (Laura) Owen.