Funeral services for Brenda L. Estes, 63, of Lower Brule, SD will be 1:00 pm Thursday, April 8, 2021 at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD with burial in the Messiah Episcopal Cemetery at Iron Nation, SD.  Wake services will be 8:00 pm Tuesday and Wednesday evening at Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD.

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Brenda Lee Estes

November 12, 1957- March 31, 2021

Brenda Lee (Ziegler) Estes was born on November 12, 1957 to Alfred and Gayle (Langdeau) Ziegler at Community Bailey Hospital in Chamberlain, SD.

Brenda attended grade school and high school at St. Mary's Episcopal School, finishing with her GED.  Brenda later attended college at School of Mines and Nettleton College in Rapid City, SD.

In November 1973, Brenda united in marriage to Wayne "Amigo" Estes.  To this union, four children were born:  Laura Leah, Curtis Wayne, Jamie Young, and Glen Allen.

From an early age, Brenda had a passion for reading that instilled a depth of intellect and human compassion.  Brenda loved to cook.  Her cooking skills was a staple at home and in the community.  Her delicious bread and other traditional foods filled many tables of baptismal, picnics, retirement parties, wakes and funerals.

Brenda had a generous heart who would help anyone in need, no matter what it was.  She served in the Lord through her unique acts of kindness. Her grandchildren were the joy of her life.  She loved spending time with her family.

Brenda worked numerous jobs throughout her life as a dispatcher at the Lower Brule PD, cashier at Sioux Boys, bartender at Tuffys Bar and Grill, and finishing her career of 29 years with the government at the Lower Brule Indian Health Service.  Throughout her career, Brenda wore many hats at IHS, from covering front desk, Medical Records, X-Ray, to acting CEO.  She enjoyed her job working at IHS until retirement due to health issues.

Brenda journeyed into the spirit world on March 31, 2021 at Sanford Medical Center.

Brenda is survived by her mother; Gayle Ziegler; five sisters: Alfreda (Dave) Algeo, Lori Ziegler, Vicki Ziegler, Kathy Ziegler, and Nikki Ziegler; a brother Sonny (Claudia) Ziegler; and four children; Laura (Chris) LaRoche, Curtis (Kari) Estes, Jamie Estes, and Glen Estes; 11 grandchildren; nine great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews whom she thought of as her own; two aunts: Marilyn Harmon and Phyllis Crazy Bull, along with numerous cousins.  Brenda also raised Christian LaRoche and adopted Savannah Estes.

Brenda is preceded in death by her father: Alfred Ziegler, two sisters: Annette (Patrick) Big Eagle and Francis (Wilson) Hawthorn, a brother: Patrick Wilson, Godson: Leon Whitney, paternal grandparents: Elmer "Sonny" Ziegler and Laura (Johnson) Ziegler, and maternal grandparents: Harvey Langdeau Sr. and Aldena (Thompkins) Langdeau.