Wilbert Janis

PINE RIDGE - Wilbert Janis, 75, Pine Ridge, died Thursday, May 12, 2011, at Pine Ridge.

Wilbert Janis was born Aug. 1, 1935, a twin to Josephine Palmier Janis and Roy Janis. He was from a large family of 14 brothers and sisters and numerous cousins. Wilbert was baptized at St. Stephens Catholic Church in Kyle. Wilbert lived in the Bombing Range area as a child and spoke often of running to hide from the shelling of the bombers. After being relocated from the Bombing Range area, his early homes were at No Flesh, Kyle and Lost Dog Creek in Potato Creek.

A very happy childhood was enjoyed by all; horseback riding, gardening, swimming, and just enjoying the outdoors. He began horseback riding at the age of two. As a boy, he worked for ranchers in the area and often told stories of riding from one end of the reservation to the other moving horses.

During his earlier years, he was a 4-H Leader, Boy Scout Leader, participated in the Pine Ridge Youth Club, and was a Pee Wee Baseball Coach. He truly loved children and was a wonderful mentor, not only to his many nieces and nephews, but for many other children as well.

Wilbert attended school at the Oglala Boarding School (OBS) in Pine Ridge from kindergarten through high school. He participated in the sports programs playing basketball, football, and baseball. Wilbert was also in the High School Choir. He loved to sing and play guitar and often serenaded his future wife from the stage during musical assemblies. After graduating from high school, Wilbert married his long time sweetheart, Anita "Penny" Conroy and they both attended Black Hills State College in Spearfish.

After college, Wilbert's employment consisted of working for the Bureau of Indian Affairs (BIA) Census Department, the South Dakota State Department of Social Services, and in 1963 Wilbert started a career with the BIA Employment Assistance Program as an Employment Assistance Specialist. Wilbert assisted many individuals and families get a start in life by placing them in various vocational institutions and/or colleges throughout the United States. Wilbert not only helped the people at home in South Dakota, but in 1967, he transferred to the Navajo Reservation in Ship Rock, N.M., and worked in other cities such as Farmington and Crown Point. Wilbert was very proud of the accomplishments and the dedication of the students and of all the staff he worked with.

In 1974, Wilbert and his family returned to the Pine Ridge Reservation. He continued to work for the BIA and retired in 1991. He also worked for the Oglala Sioux Tribe and served on the Tribal Council as representative for the Pine Ridge Village. Wilbert was instrumental in the establishment of the "Quad Squad" which proved services for quadriplegics.

Wilbert was a member of the Holy Cross Episcopal Church in Pine Ridge since 1957.

Wilbert is survived by his wife of 56 years, Penny; five children, Arlen, Deb, Rodney, Kay and Ross; 16 grandchildren; and 15 great-grandchildren.

One-night wake services begin at 4 p.m. today at Our Lady of Sorrows Catholic Church Hall in Kyle.

Funeral services will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 19, at the church hall with the Rev. Cordelia Red Owl and the Rev. Joan Conroy officiating. Burial will be at St. Stephen's Catholic Church Cemetery in Kyle.

Sioux Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.