Funeral services for Irene Skunk, 97, of Lower Brule, SD will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, May 14, 2026 at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD with burial in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at Lower Brule, SD.  Wake services will be 7:00 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD.

Irene Elizabeth (Eagle Thunder) Skunk was born on May 24, 1928, at Iron Nation to Obed & Florence (Fire Thunder) Eagle Thunder. She was delivered at home by Lillian (Iron Nest) White and joined her siblings Catherine, Bertha, and Eugene.

She attended school at St. Joseph's Indian School in Chamberlain, SD until she was 11 years old. She then attended Brainerd Indian School in Hot Springs, SD until 8th Grade. During this time both of her parents got sick, so she returned home to help care for them.

Irene had a daughter who passed in infancy named Ruby Irene Eagle Thunder. She later was united in marriage to Joseph P. Skunk and from this union 8 children were born; Cleveland, Josephine, Lucille, Joseph Wayne, Ella, Beverly, Susan. and Fedelia. Throughout the years Irene opened her home to numerous foster children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She also raised several grandchildren and great-grandchildren including; Shannon, Jarvis Kelly, Derek, Julius Sr., Jessye Jo, Jewell Iron Heart, Taylee, and Julius Jr.

Irene started working as a teenager and maintained employment for most of her life. Her first job was working at Fairmont Factory in Presho, SD at age 15.  She then worked in Chadron, NE and White River, SD shucking corn and doing farm work.  She also worked for the Lower Brule Community Garden, Lower Brule Elementary as teacher's aide and drove the Elderly meal delivery van. She then started working as a cook's aide for the Lower Brule Nutrition Center a position she held until COVID forced her retirement at age 92.

She is survived by her daughters Josephine Skunk, Lucille Skunk-Marshall, and Fedelia Skunk all of Lower Brule, SD and Ella (Alphonso) Drapeau of Fort Thompson, SD; her son Jarvis Kelly Skunk of Lower Brule, SD. She was survived by eight kids, 35 grandkids, 90 great grandkids, and 39 great great grandkids.

She is preceded in death by her parents Obed and Florence Eagle Thunder, her sons Cleveland F. Skunk, and Joseph W. Skunk; daughters Beverly M. Skunk, Susan A. Skunk; sisters Catherine Goodface and Bertha Fire Cloud; brother Eugene Eagle Thunder.; grandchildren Derek M. Skunk, Vincent A. Battese. Sr., Clinton M. Skunk., and Glenda Stands; great-grandchildren Tayshawn Battese and Audonne Duran.

Irene was known as "Grandma," "Auntie Irene," & "Mom" by many. She had special bond with so many different people throughout her 97 years on Unci Maka.