Wake Services for Julian Dean Boucher, Maza A Didi "Walks on Iron" of New Effington, SD will be held on Thursday, July 27, 2023 and Friday, July 28, 2023 starting at 7:00 P.M. at the Lake Traverse District Center, Browns Valley, MN, and Traditional Services at the Kitto-Boucher Homestead, 10135 463rd Ave, New Effington, SD on Saturday July 29 and Sunday July 30, 2023.

The spiritual leader will be Orville Looking Horse. Honor Guard by SWO Veterans. Drum Group will be Mickey Peters. Pall Bearers will be Danovin Shong, Delray German, Donna Williams, Darrell Mireau, Geri Opsal, Daryn Boyd, Laurs Brian Williams and Louis Gangone.  Honorary Pall Bearers will be All of Julian's beloved family and friends, Inurnment will be at the Santee Sioux Dakota Nation Congregational Cemetery at a later date. Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of the arrangements.

Julian Dean Boucher passed away on July 25, 2023; peacefully in his sleep at home surrounded by his family after is battle with ALS. Julian was diagnosed with ALS in April 2023 and it progressed very rapidly. In just two short months after being diagnosed, our beloved son, brother, grandson, nephew, cousin, uncle and friend began his journey to the stars.  Julian Dean Boucher was born December 22, 1960 in Creighton, NE to Dean Boucher and Imogene Kitto. He was raised all over the United States with his siblings, Randy, Madelyne, Dallas and Benjamin as father pursued his career in the United States Air Force. He also spent a large majority of his childhood in the Niobrara, NE area on his grandparent's farm. He was given the name Maza A Didi - Walks on Iron, the name of his great-great grandfather who was #39 on the list to be hung in Mankato, MN on December 26, 1862 and was pardoned. This name was fitting because even as a child he was a force to be reckoned with. He truly earned his nick name "Sluggo" with his rough and tough demeanor. Julian had a love for animals, nature and being outdoors. He especially loved hunting and fishing. He also enjoyed riding horse and going to rodeos.

While he never married or had children, he lived a full life and was like a dad to all of his nieces and nephews, Michelle, Anthony, Chaska, Kateri, Adrian, Desiree, Randi Lynn, Kristopher, Brianna and Blue Horse. Julian used his love for horses to teach his nieces and nephews how to ride and care for them. Julian also shared his knowledge of our Dakota ways with them. Ceremony protocol, which plants to use for medicines and which ones were for food, how to choose trees for making tipis, how to properly pick sage and sweet grass and choke cherries. He shared his knowledge of all he knew to teach his nieces and nephews how to hunt, fish, work on engines and so much more. His knowledge that he passed down is invaluable because it's not taught in any school or university. It was all in his head, and now it will carry on through his nieces and nephews.

Julian was a talented horse trainer and helped on many spiritual rides and commemorative events. He was entrusted to care for the horses of our Canupa Awanyanka, Chief Arvol Looking Horse, and was one of the original organizers and riders of the Dakota 38 Wokikisuye Memorial Ride. He was passionate about teaching our youth the traditional ways and encouraged and supported the young ones who wanted to take part in the ride. He generously shared any knowledge he had with them and gained many more nieces and nephews on those sacred rides.

Julian also loved to work on cars and spent many years building race cars with his brother Benjamin for enduro races. He's rebuilt classic cars from scratch and he was also an excellent cook. He served in the United States Navy and he also honored his traditional ways and became a Sundancer. He lived a very full and well rounded life and can pass on to the spirit world knowing he leaves a legacy of tradition, family, and love.

Julian is survived by his mother Imogene Kitto of New Effington, SD, siblings Randy Boucher, Madelyne Newborn, Dallas Boucher and Benjamin Boucher. Nieces and Nephews and Grandchildren, Michelle Boucher-Robinson and Enrique Pagan and their children Sammi and her daughters Adalyn and Kinslie, Alicia and her son Jesse, Chaska, Shelby and Riley, Anthony Guerra and his children Brooklyn and Kaide Guerra, Chaska Boucher, Kateri and Louis Gangone and their children, Cecilia, Gabe and Shariah, Adrian and Latasha Boucher and their children Trey, Bella, Jazmen, Adriana and Lyfe, Desiree Boucher and Aaron Pond and their children Anthony and Emory, Randi Lynn and Joe Giago and their children Monica, Wicahpi Ti Ikceya Win, Ske Luta Win, Pejuta Ota Win, Kristopher Boucher and her children Felix, Layla and Silas, Brianna Boucher and her children Amari, King and Carmen, Charles Boucher and Hoss Boucher and his son Tuff.

Julian is proceeded in death by his Father Dean Boucher, Grandparents Mike and Dorothy Boucher, Grandparents Gordon and Cecelia Kitto, Uncle Gordon Kitto, Aunt Madeline Cecelia Kitto, Brother in law Wade Newborn, Cousins Cissy, Alan and Jeff Kitto, Nephew Valentino Robinson, Grandson Dallas Boucher III and Great grandchild Náást'íilid Moist.