Bernice Ellen Tail-Lone Elk

Bernice Ellen Tail-Lone Elk was born on October 11, 1979 in Pine Ridge, SD to Donald Tail and Deloris Sierra. Bernice made her journey to the Spirit World on October 25, 2025 at the Monument Health Hospice Home in Rapid City, SD.
Bernice really loved her grandkids. Bernice was born in Pine Ridge, SD were she attended school at the Pine Ridge High School. She later moved to Chadron, NE. In 1996 she had the love of her life, Dennis Lone Elk. Together they shared 30 years of marriage and welcomed three beautiful children, two boys and one daughter. In 2016 they adopted a son. In 2019, she became the happiest grandmother to two handsome grandsons. In 2021, they had moved to Peru, IL and that was when Bernice found out she had Breast Cancer. It was in 2022 Bernice decided to move home to be close to family. Bernice was a great person and loved to help people and she had love for everyone. Bernice will never be forgotten and always remembered by her friends and family and loving husband.
Bernice is survived by her husband, Dennis Lone Elk of Rapid City, SD; her only daughter, Hailey Tail (Hunter Salway) of Rapid City, SD; hunka daughter Brandi Red Owl of Rapid City, SD; sons, Tristen Tail, Anthony Tail and Braxton Spotted Bear all of Rapid City, SD; her beloved grandsons, Tristen tail, Jr. & Kordelle Running Hawk Jr both of Rapid City, SD; her sisters, Carla Lisa Cheyenne of Rapid City, SD, Theresa Blue Bird of Rapid City, SD; her aunts, Florence Sierra & Corrine Sierra both of Batesland, SD, Margarette Sierra of Rapid City, SD, Betty Watters of Pine Ridge, SD, Arletta Wounded Arrow of Rapid City, SD, and Loretta Sierra of Yankton, SD; brother, Brandon Sierra of Rapid City, SD; sist in laws, Dawn Lone Hill of Arizona and Marletta Soldier Wolf of Porcupine, SD; uncles, Leo Swallow of Denver, CO, Eddie McKenny-Swallow of Kansas City, and Archie Sierra.
Bernice was preceded in death by her father Donald Tail; her mother, Deloris Sierra; sister in laws, Carol Hornbeck, whom she really loved, Lucy Lone Elk; uncles, Clevland Tail, Al Tail, Freddy Tail, Bert American Horse, and Horse Wounded Arrow; nephew, Brandon Wounded Arrow; grandkids, Jeremiah (Remi) Perez, Hoka Yellow Cloud, Joe and Frank Brave, Vonda Bianas, and Quinten Lone Elk.
Pallbearers will be Brandon Sierra, Dakota Tail, Orn Soldier Wolf, Loren Tail, Gunner Cross, John Red Feather, Marshall Hornbeck, Waniyetu Yellow Cloud, Stanley (Peanut) Flying Hawk, Angelo (Son) Perez III, Marty Wounded Foot, Jake Bianas
Honorary pallbearers will be Eagle Rock CC of Peru, IL, Arleta Wounded Arrow, Eagle Rock CC of White Clay, NE, Lisa Grisham & Family, Lisa Nelson & Family, Marletta & Scott Soldier Wolf, Devonna Velazquez, Myrna Kills Back & Family, Dani New Holy & Family, Georgia & Anola, Diane Tail & Family, Ollie Lone Elk, Jennifer & Mitch Long & Family, Corbin Perez, Angelo Perez, Crista Tail & Family, Ruby Tail & Family, Raelene Tail & Family, Mamie & Avvy, Daniel Perez Sr & Family, Tail Family, Swallow Family, Marty Wounded Foot, Alford Swallow & Family, Mesu Swallow & Family, Alishia Tail & Family, Twila Tail & Family, Sterline Rooks & Family, Gloria No Neck & Family, Karen Red Elk & Family, Fiona Bianas, Jessie Pretty Hip & Family, Monument Hospice House, Cancer Care of Rapid City South Dakota, Anya Kirykowicz of IL, Janet Gale of IL, Debra Nadeau of Wisconsin, Doris Myers of IL, Brian Swallow & Family, Margie Byrd & Family, Jessie & Aaron Broken Rope & Family, Jonas Wounded Foot & Family, Lucille Good Crow & Family, Travis New Holy, Randall Lone Hill & Family, and All Friends & Relatives.
Wake Services: One night wake starting at 1:30 PM, Monday, November 3, 2025 at the Evergreen Community Hall near Porcupine, SD, with evening services at 7:00 PM.
Funeral Services: 11:00 AM, Tuesday, November 4, 2025 at the Evergreen Community Hall near Porcupine, SD
Officiating: Pastor David Lays Bad
Traditional Lakota Services: Mr. Dave Swallow
Burial Services: Swallow Cemetery in Porcupine, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD