Funeral services for Viola Jennesse, 67, of Fort Thompson, will be 2:00 pm Saturday, January 16, 2021 at the Golden Buffalo Convention Center in Lower Brule, SD with burial in the Christ Episcopal Cemetery at Fort Thompson, SD.  Wake services will be held Thursday and Friday at 7:00 pm at the Golden Buffalo Convention Center in Lower Brule, SD.

Viola Jennesse, 67, of Fort Thompson, passed away on January 3, 2021.

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Viola Ione Jennesse was born on January 15 ^th , 1953 in Fort Thompson to Lloyd Jennesse Sr. of Fort Thompson and Mae Big Eagle of Lower Brule.

She attended school in Stephan and graduated high school in 1972. Viola attended college at the United Tribes College for nursing where she met Charles Silk of Wolf Point, Montana. She returned to Fort Thompson and started worked at the Chamberlain hospital.

Viola later relocated to Montana with Charles. Viola and Charles were united in marriage around 1976. To this union their son, Elton Ray Silk, was born.

Viola eventually made her way back to Fort Thompson. She later met Lester Peneaux of Winner, SD. To this union Verlin Ray Jennesse and Tina Marie Jennesse were born.

Viola moved to Sioux Falls, SD and met Kenny Roubideaux. To that union, Natasha was born. Viola also raised Ramona Jennesse as her own.

While living in Sioux Falls, Viola cooked for the Episcopal Church and the VOA on special occasions and for the Women of Hope. She also made baby bundles and gave them out. Viola loved to volunteer and help anyone in need. Viola helped raise her grandchildren. She liked going to Bingo and the casino. She traveled around visiting family and friends.

Surviving in her death are her brother Brian Davis and Leonard Traversie, sister Harriett Jennesse, daughters Ramona Jennesse, Tina Jennesse, and Natasha Jennesse, son Verlin Jennesse, god-daughter Madeline Big Eagle, lifelong companion Jesse Lopez, and many nieces and nephews, many grandchildren, and many great-grandchildren.

Preceding in her death are her parents Lloyd and Mae Jennesse, brothers Lloyd Jennesse Jr., Gordon Jennesse, Harvey Jennesse, Stanley Jennesse, Elton Jennesse, sisters Nancy Aikins, Delores Cane, and Carmalita Irons and son Elton Ray Silk.