Franklin M. Flying Horse

1969 - 2025

Franklin M Flying Horse
September 7, 1969 - July 1, 2025
Franklin Flying Horse Jr., 55, journeyed peacefully to the Spirit World on July 1, 2025, at Avera Hospital in Sioux Falls, South Dakota, surrounded by his family.
Funeral services for Franklin Flying Horse Jr., of Madison, SD, will be held at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, July 9, 2025, at Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge, SD. Family will be present one hour prior to the service. A private family inurnment will take place at Pine Little Eagle Cemetery at a later date. A Celebration of Life will also be held in Madison, SD, at the VFW on July 26th beginning at 1:00 p.m. and continuing until close.
Franklin was born on September 7, 1969, to Violet Hollow and Frank Flying Horse Sr. He was lovingly raised near Bullhead, SD, by Charles and Bertha Mutchler. After their passing, he was taken in by Delores Long Elk, whom he affectionately called Mom.
He attended school on the Standing Rock Reservation and later completed high school in Bismarck, ND. In 1989, Franklin enrolled in Job Corps in Clearfield, UT. It was there in 1990 that he met Donna Yager. Together they built a life in Madison, SD, where they raised three children: Marlena, Jonathon, and Shayna. Donna's family embraced Franklin as one of their own, he called her parents "Mom and Dad," and they always referred to him as "Son."
Franklin worked for several companies in and around Madison throughout his life. He brought joy and laughter to every workplace with his infectious humor and easygoing nature. Among his many jobs, his favorite was working for Mustang Seeds in Madison, where he felt truly valued and treated like family.
Franklin had a passion for motorcycles and loved cruising around in his trucks while listening to music. He cherished spending time with his children and grandchildren, Peyton, Piper, Paxton, Evan, Emmett, and EivaLynn, and friends, sharing jokes and laughter that filled every room he entered. His sense of humor was unforgettable; his son Jonathon fondly remembers one of Franklin's favorite sayings: "I only feel freedom at 35 miles per hour."
He is survived by his best friend and mother of his children, Donna; his children Marlena (John), Jonathon, Shayna; a daughter Jaychelle; grandchildren Peyton, Piper, Paxton, Evan, Emmett, and EivaLynn; sister Michelle; brother Elmer; sister Diane (Jeff) Scales; brother Rick Yager; bonus parents Lee and Karen Yager; as well as many aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.
Franklin was preceded in death by his father Frank Flying Horse Sr.; grandparents Charles and Bertha Mutchler; mom Delores Long Elk; son Evan Long Feather; grandson Dominic Spotted Horse; cousins Owen and Fern Fightslone; and numerous other beloved relatives.
Franklin loved with all his heart and had a smile that could light up the world. He touched the lives of all who knew him and will be deeply missed.