Obituary | Timothy Edward Swimmer, Jr. of Wakpala, South Dakota

November 4, 1946 – January 29, 2023

Funeral services for Timothy Edward Swimmer, Jr., 76 of Wakpala will be held on Saturday, February 11, 2023 at 11:00 AM at the Wakpala High School. Prayer services will be held at the Wakpala High School on Friday, February 10 at 7:00 pm with an all night wake to follow. There will also be an all night wake held at the Landmark Building in Eagle Butte, SD on Thursday, February 9 with the family meeting at the 4 mile at 4:30 pm MT. Interment under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home will take place at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Cemetery, Wakpala.

Timothy Edward Swimmer, Jr., Akitica Hoksila Inyanka was born to Timothy Sr. and Imogene (Red Crow) on November 4, 1946 at the Old Moreau River and as an infant was adopted by Joe and Rebecca Ducheneaux. Tim attended the Pierre Boarding School and graduated 8^th grade. And then attended the Flandreau Boarding School and graduated 12^th grade.  After graduation, he went and lived in Chicago, Illinois and was training as a welder until he was drafted in the United States Army.  He served two tours and was Honorable discharged.  After his discharge, his children were born.  Tim III and Jacob (Arlene Comes), Randy and Kym (Jennie Shaving).  On December 6, 1975 Tim and Marlis (Good House) were married and his four children from this union were born; Imogene, Melora, Clemetine (Clemmy) and Dustin.

Tim believed in the Bible and was a God-fearing man.  He attended Central Indian Bible College and graduated with an Associate’s Degree in Pastoral Theology.  He travelled throughout the United States, ministering the Word of God. Raising funds, he built churches on the Reservations of South and North Dakota.  Tim was ordained in Minneapolis, Minnesota with the Pentecostal Church of God. 

Tim then worked for J.D. Kesling. He hauled all of Mr. Kesling’s materials, stained glass windows, pews, etc. to build the Funeral Home that is used today.  When there was a death call, Tim would go no matter where it was, he even rode with Mr. Kesling in his airplane.

Then, in 2015, Tim began to have health problems.  This worsened over the years until his death on Sunday, January 29, 2023.  Tim spoke with Imogene, Melora, Dustin and his grandchildren and told each one what they must do.  He then said farewell to all of us.  Tim was happy and anxious to be with Jesus. 

He leaves his wife, Marlis, his children; Jacob, Randy, Kym, Imogene, Melora (Chops) and Dustin, numerous grandchildren, great grand children, nieces and nephews; whom he respected and loved very much. 

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