John Darrell Wooden Knife, age 68, of Corn Creek, South Dakota, died on Tuesday, July 1, 2025 peacefully at his home in Corn Creek.
A visitation service will be held at 7 p.m. Central Time on Tuesday, July 8, 2025 at the Black Pipe Lodge.
Funeral services will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025 at the Black Pipe Lodge.
John was born on December 27, 1956, in Rosebud, South Dakota, to Ansel and Mary (Witt) Wooden Knife. He grew up in the Corn Creek and Belvidere area.
On October 21, 1976, John proudly enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. He served honorably and traveled to places such as Hawaii, the Philippines, and Okinawa. While stationed in Hawaii, he was actively involved with the Hawaii Rodeo Association, competing as a bull rider in 1978. John was honorably discharged on October 9, 1979, having earned the Rifle Expert Badge and the Good Conduct Medal, a testament to his dedication and discipline.
John later settled in the Wanblee area, where his son, John Wooden Knife Jr., was born March 4, 1983. John and Kris (Eagle Bear) Wooden Knife created their first home in Pierre in 1994, and were later married on March 8, 1996.
Throughout his life, John held many jobs and was known for his strong work ethic. He worked for Guetzinger Tractor Supply, Ideal Mobile Homes, the Pierre Mall, Iseman Mobile Homes, and the RST Road Department. In 2012, John retired from the road department after losing vision in his left eye due to a stroke. After his retirement, John devoted his time to establishing a ranching operation on the family homestead.
John loved the outdoors and spent much of his time hunting, fishing, working on vehicles, and caring for his grandchildren, who were the joy of his life.
John is survived by his wife, Kris; his children, John Jr., Roxanne, and Sunshine; and his beloved grandchildren: Jace, Barrett, Ackley, Tanner, Alden, Braden, and Cierra; siblings: Ansel (Theresa) Wooden Knife, Mary Lou (Ken) Rider, Bertha (Leroy) Morrison, Earl (Cindy) Wooden Knife, Ruth Wooden Knife, and Scott Wooden Knife.
John was preceded in death by his parents Ansel and Mary (Witt) Wooden Knife, his brother Harold Wooden Knife, and his sisters Shirley Winters, Oleta Mednansky, Erna Wooden Knife, Edna Wooden Knife, and Floy Drake.
Interment with military honors will be held at 1:30 p.m. Central Time at the Wooden Knife Family Cemetery near Corn Creek.
Cards and memorials may be sent to P.O. Box 54 Norris, SD 57560.
Arrangements are with Rush Funeral Home of Philip.
