Margaret Christine

Bourelle

Funeral Service for Margaret Christine Bourelle, 81 of Sisseton, SD will be held on Friday, October 9, 2026 at 1:00 P.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD with Fr. Conrad Ciesel, Deacon Bitsey Ceisel, Fr. Charles Chan, Pastor Vern Donnell, John Cloud III, and the Episcopal Lay Readers officiating. Pianist will be Billy Kohl. Pallbearers will be Nick Running Hawk, Garrett Running Hawk, Blake Running Hawk, Hunter Running Hawk, Trey Bourelle, Preston Running Hawk, Nick Benjamin, Gavin Bourelle, Grant Bourelle, and Kendryck Sharpfish. Honorary Pallbearers will be Lacey Stawarski, Lakota Saunders, Torri Bourelle, Grace Bourelle, and Mckaya Running Hawk. There will be a Wake Service on Thursday, October 8, 2026, starting at 7:00 P.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Community Center. Interment will be at Ft. Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, MN on Friday, October 16, 2026, at 11:30 A.M. If you have any Minnesota Vikings gear, please wear in honor of Margaret to the services.

Margaret Christine Smith (Kirk) was born to Marcellaine and Percy Kirk Sr. on December 24, 1944, in Sisseton, South Dakota. From 16 months old on, she was raised and later adopted by Robert and Pansy (Flute) Smith.

Margaret attended school in Sisseton before transferring to St. Elizabeth Boarding School in Wakpala SD, where she graduated valedictorian of her class in 1962. While there, she met James "Jimmy" Running Hawk, and they were married in November of that year. Together they had two sons, Kenneth and David, and spent several years ranching in the McIntosh area before returning to Sisseton.

Following Jimmy's tragic passing in 1972, Margaret remained in the Sisseton area, where she worked for IHS and the School District. After several years she was approved to have her own home built south of Peever, SD. She was so proud to have her own home and cherished it greatly. She then pursued her education at Watertown Business School, earning a secretarial diploma and being honored as "Student of the Month." Her hard work led to a secretarial position with the BIA at Old Agency, where she met Edward "Eddie" Bourelle. When they married, they brought their families together, with Margaret welcoming Eddie's sons Brian and Murray into her heart and home. They soon welcomed another son, Gerald "JB." Together, Margaret and Eddie raised a loving family of five sons.

The family later moved to St. Michael, Minnesota, where Margaret worked for General Mills for many years. She and Eddie were active in the American Legion, sharing a strong connection to the organization through Eddie's Air Force service and their sons' service in the Marine Corps. Margaret was honored to serve as president of the Women's Auxiliary.

After Eddie's passing in 1994, Margaret made a home for herself in Monticello, where she lived for 18 years and worked at Boston Scientific. In 2013, she felt called to return to her roots in the Sisseton area. There, she enjoyed volunteering at the nursing home and reconnecting with family and lifelong friends.

Margaret brought joy and fun wherever she went. She was an enthusiastic Minnesota Vikings fan and loved gathering with family and friends to watch the games. She loved music and dancing and was never one to leave a dance floor unattended. She also enjoyed playing Bingo and was an active member of St. John's Episcopal Church, where she participated in the ladies' aid and helped with fundraisers. Her favorite flower was the sunflower, and her favorite animal was the giraffe. She enjoyed collecting and displaying these throughout her home – a reflection of her bright and fun spirit.

Margaret's greatest gift was her ability to make people smile and laugh. She had a wonderful sense of humor and could bring laughter to even the simplest moments. She lovingly teased her family and friends and continued telling her silly stories and making people chuckle right up until her final days. Above all, she cherished her family. She was a loving mother and took immense joy in her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, whom she loved "to the moon and back." Margaret passed away on September 28, 2026 at Coteau des Prairies Hospital, Sisseton, SD with her family by her side.

Margaret will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered by her children, Kenneth (Robin) Running Hawk, Murray Bourelle, and JB Bourelle (Heidi Anderson); brothers Francis Crawford and Mark Keoke; sisters Eleanor Kirk, Sandra Redday, and Iris Keoke; grandchildren Lacey (Jason) Stawarski, Nick Running Hawk, Garrett Running Hawk, Blake (Allison) Running Hawk, Preston Running Hawk, Lakota (James) Saunders, Hunter Running Hawk (Rosie Maskewit), Mckaya Running Hawk, Kendryck Sharpfish, Torri Bourelle, Trey Bourelle, Grace Bourelle, Grant Bourelle, Gavin Bourelle, and Nick (Kira) Benjamin; 12 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marcellaine and Percy Kirk Sr., and Pansy and Robert Smith; husbands James "Jimmy" Running Hawk and Edward "Eddie" Bourelle; brothers Cornelius Kirk, Floyd Kirk Sr., Percy Kirk Jr., and Jeffery Helenberger; sisters Joyce Thompson, Frances Huff, Barbara Kirk-Renville, Connie Brennan, Ina Lou Kirk, and Betty Jo Kirk; sons David Running Hawk and Brian Bourelle; and grandson Kaysen Running Hawk.