Charlene M. Featherman

Charlene Shoulders-Featherman "Panke Ska Win" was born on July 26, 1942, near the White Shell River in Nebraska to Christine Cedar Face-Shoulders and Andrew Shoulders. Charlene made her journey to the spirit world on February 4th, 2026, surrounded by her loved ones.

Charlene was the oldest of 13 children, being the 1st born she was given her Lakota name by her Grandmother Jessie Rose White Wolf-Cedar Face. Her life of service began early while she initially attended OCS, she later made the selfless decision to leave school early to teach her younger brothers English preparing them for their time at Holy Rosary Mission.

During her young adult years, Charlene lived in Rapid City with her aunt Anne Cedar Face-Weber where she learned to sew and make dresses. Her commitment to education remained a lifelong pursuit; she later obtained her GED and attended Oglala Lakota College, where she earned her Lakota Language Certificate.

For 26 years she served as a teacher's aide and a Lakota Language teacher at the Wounded Knee District School. Her impact on the Manderson area was profound, and many of her former students still honor her by calling her "Grandma". She eventually retired after her granddaughter Summer graduated the 8th grade.

Charlene spent her retirement at home, surrounded by her grandchildren she helped raise: Andrew, Summer, Emil Jr., D'Andee and Kaelem. She later embraced the role of great-grandmother, doting on Charli, Melody, Derek Jr., Zayvia, Baby Jake, and Coco. Before she made her journey, she had the honor of naming her great-grandson "Wakinyan Tunwanpi Hoksila".

Every day was spent in the company of her children Donna, Donroy, Kim, Lyle Jr., and John. As well as her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She never stopped sharing the Lakota Language and traditional teachings with them. Since 1999, Charlene was an avid supporter of the Wanagi Wiwang Wacipi; it was there amidst health complications, that she found the solace, and spiritual strength to persevere. The most precious gift she passed down to her family was the importance of prayer.

Charlene was an avid fast pitch fan, being a catcher in her younger years she never stopped loving the game. She coached her daughter Donna in women's fast pitch and traveled when her husband, sons, brothers and nephews played fast pitch. She made sure her brothers the Shoulder Boys were remembered after their passing and helped form the Shoulder Boys Memorial Fast Pitch Tournament where she enjoyed watching her grandsons play every summer. Charlene made friends with anyone she met and would always greet people with a smile. She will be missed by all who knew her.

Charlene is survived by her sisters, Rose Shoulders, Margelyn Shoulders and Colleen Shoulders; Brothers, Larry and Harry Shoulders; Hunka sisters, Inez Little White Man, Wilma Thin Elk, Roberta Spencer and Millie Black Bear; Children, Donna Looks Twice, Donroy Shoulders, Lyle Featherman Jr., John Featherman, Kimberly (Joe) Featherman, Virgil (Denise) Ladeaux, Lonny LaDeaux and Lori LaDeaux; hunka daughter; Lavonne Mesteth; Grandchildren, Andrew Shoulders-Red Elk, Summer (Jake), D'Andee, Kaelem, Donroy Jr., Chelsea, Dawn, Derek, Robert, Haisley, Will, and Virgil III; and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews whom she loved dearly.

Charlene was preceded in death by her husband, Lyle Featherman Sr.; parents, Andrew and Christine (Cedar Face) Shoulders; her son, Pernell Shoulders; Grandsons, Emil Shoulders-Red Elk Jr., and Donte LaDeaux; great-grandson, Pernell Looks Twice; brothers, Lester, Seymour, Irdy, Renay, William, Orlan, Tim, Victor, and Melvin Shoulders; sisters, Cora Shoulders and Linda (Virgil LaDeaux) Shoulders-LaDeaux and Joyce (Everett Thunder Bull) Shoulders; paternal grandparents, James and Mary (Shields) Shoulders; maternal grandparents, William and Jessie (White Wolf) Cedar Face; Paternal uncles, Tasunke Ska and Ellis (Dora) Shoulders; Maternal uncles, Joe, Sam, Paul Cedar Face; Maternal Aunts, Anne Cedar Face-Weber and Pearl Cedar Face-Dixon; Niece, Andrea Shoulders; and nephews, Calvin LaDeaux, Donny LaDeaux and Percy Shoulders.

Pallbearers will be Craig Yankton, Terry Little White Man, Chris LaDeaux, Jon Conroy, Chris Means, Joe Little Dog and Koby Morrisette.

Honorary Pallbearers are Sidney Has No Horse, Janet "Poxie" Pourier, All the Wanagi Wiwang Wacipi Families, Cindy Kicking Bear Family, Sophie and Bertha Conroy Families, Debbie Blue Bird Family, Jaslene Brave Bird Family, Jake Crow Dog & James Iyotte, Kimberly Lefthand, Frances, Clara, Fred Cedar Face Families, John & Carmen Cedar Face Family, Becki, Ruthie and Reggie Cedar Face Family, Susan Shangreaux Family, Kathy Randall-Rowland, Babette Thin Elk Family, Ace No Braid Family, Janice Little Dog Family, Linda Hollow Horn Family, Joyce Little Dog Family, Mike & Lolita Little Boy Family, Bernice White Hawk Family, Joann Tall, Betty Janis & Earl Tall Families, Victor and Vikki Shoulders Families, Candy & Melvin Shoulders Families, Erica, Henry, Louis Janis Family, Mildred Alkire & Donna Tail Families, Lisa Dixon Family, Tiana & Tressa Featherman Families, Emma Featherman-Sam, Betty Bull Bear Family, Mark & Virgil Brown Bull Family, Ardean Featherman Family, Carla Sleeping Bear Family, Frank Ghost Family, Donna Jumping Eagle Family, Ben Little Dog, Thomas Twiss, Robert James, Lavina & Leona Cutt, Bobby & Deuce Martin, Twila & JohnLyn Ghost, Helen Gerken, Martyna White Hawk, Doris Respects Nothing, Jamie Respects Nothing, Andrea Ponds, Zach Cox, Bre LeBeau, Josh Steele Family, Vicki Wince, Wounded Knee District CAP Office Staff & Day Laborers, Sharps Dialysis Center Staff & Patients, Monument Health 5th Floor Nurses & Doctors, All Shoulder Boys Memorial Tournament Teams, and All we may have forgotten, who knew and loved her.

Wake Services: Two night wake starting at 3:00 PM, Thursday, February 19, 2026, at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, South Dakota

Funeral Service: 1:00 PM, Saturday, February 21, 2026, at the Wounded Knee District School in Manderson, South Dakota

Officiating: TBA

Traditional Lakota Services: Sydney Has No Horse

Burial Services: St. Agnes Catholic Cemetery, Manderson, South Dakota

Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD