Carla Joanne Michalek, 70, of Lower Brule, SD passed away on October 17, 2024.  Her family will hold a Celebration of Life in her honor on Sunday, November 10th, 2024 at theCatholic Church in Lower Brule at 2:00pm.

Carla Joanne Kurzenberger was born to Norval and Bonnie (Olson) Kurzenberger in Hot Springs, SD. She was one of 14 siblings who were born and raised in various places in the Black Hills. She met Dallas Michalek in Terraville, SD, near Lead/Deadwood and eventually they moved to be closer to Dallas's parents, Irene and Melvin Michalek in Lower Brule, SD.

Carla shared 3 children with Dallas, Neoma Michalek, Michael Michalek and Darrell (Holly) Michalek. She gained custody of a special son, Anthony Bad Horse between the birth of her two sons. Carla had several grandchildren that she would do anything for: Anna (Robert) Michalek, Irene (Anthony) Grassrope, James Michalek, Ty Michalek, Sara Flute, Caitlyn Flute, Noel Michalek, Ryan Fonder and Addilyn Fontenot. She also had a special "grand dog" Gracie, with whom she would argue all the time.

Throughout her life, Carla was a dedicated and hard worker in various positions. She worked at the Lower Brule Crisis Center before opening a home daycare center that she ran for over 30 years before finally working for the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe at the Head Start Program for over 10 years. Carla was granted Honorary Tribal Membership with the Lower Brule Sioux Tribe for her decades of hard work and dedication to the community and its members.

While Carla looked mean and her family always called her a "Grouchy Gramma", she was a very humble and modest woman. She helped anyone and everyone and never asked for a thing in return. Carla had a great sense of humor, strong morals, a huge heart and was a very loving and caring person.

Preceding Carla in death are her parents, in-law parents, sisters in law Gwen and Dianne, brother in law Darrell and very special sister in law and best friend Janet Michalek, as well as siblings Kerry Ray and Delores.