Funeral services for Elijah W. Sazue, 43, of Chamberlain, SD will be 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, July 2, 2024 at the Crow Creek Tribal Hall (Akicita Mato Gymnasium) in Fort Thompson, SD.  Wake services will be 7:00 p.m., Monday, July 1, 2024 at the Crow Creek Tribal Hall (Akicita Mato Gymnasium) in Fort Thompson, SD.

Anyone wishing to follow, the procession will leave at 3:00 p.m. on Monday from the funeral home.

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Elijah W. Sazue passed away at home on June 26, 2024 after a lengthy illness.

He was born March 29, 1981 in Valentine, NE to Brent and Myra (Isburg) Sazue.  He was raised in Gallup, NM and Fort Thompson SD.  Elijah attended elementary, middle, and high school in Chamberlain, SD.  Entering his junior year of high school, he transferred to Crow Creek Tribal High School in Stephan, SD.  Elijah excelled in any sport that he played and loved sports with a passion.  His Crow Creek years were definitely his "Glory Days" as they won the District 10A Championship, LNI Championship, and AIT Championship.  Elijah was awarded the MVP, All Tourney at LNI, and earned All State 2nd team recognition to name a few.  After high school, he attended Presentation College in Aberdeen and then Huron College until its closure.

During the summers, he worked as a Wildland Firefighter for the BIA.  During this time, Teron William was born October 28, 2001.  In June of 2002, Elijah was united in marriage to Maria Kirkie.  After firefighting, for years he worked in the family business.  From there he began working at CCHS and worked there until February 2024.

Elijah always loved working with kids, whether teaching or coaching and always had a positive attitude working with students, especially troubled students.  He had high expectations for his kids and had such feelings for the kids, understanding the many problems that they faced.

After divorcing, he was involved in two significant relationships to which a daughter "Riley" was born on December 29, 2005 who he finally got to meet in 2010 and fell in love with this beautiful little daughter. On July 29, 2009, a son, Jade Sazue was born.  He was so proud of his little man and cared for and supported him until his death.  He was so proud of all three of his children.  They meant the world to him.

Elijah always had a smile on his face, loved living life with his friends, playing darts, golfing and betting on his favorite sports teams, for example, San Francisco 49'ers, Nebraska Corn Huskers, Carolina Tar Heels, and the Chicago Cubs.  (His Grama Betty got him hooked on the Cubs at an early age.)

Elijah is survived by his wife of nine years Chelsie Sazue, two sons Teron and Jade of Fort Thompson, daughter Riley of White River, SD, two step children Isabelle and Memphis, his big brother Monte Sazue, mother Myra Isburg, father Brent Sazue and Emma, special cousins Anna Sazue of Mission, SD, Earl Hicks of Mission, SD, and all the Sazue cousins/brothers Joe Sazue Jr., Eric Sazue, Billy Jo Sazue all of Fort Thompson, SD, Tracy of Rapid City, SD, Shane Sazue, his Hunka brothers and sisters A.B., Anthony Barker, and Jeremy His Law, Sherry Powers, and April Rockwood, and many uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins, and so many friends too numerous to mention or count.

Preceding him in death were his cousin Harley Sazue, maternal grandparents William and Betty Isburg, and Bill and June Sazue and cousin Tim Marshall.