Curtis Janis

Curtis Compton Janis, age 73 of Kyle, SD, passed away on January 12, 2015 in Kyle, SD. Curtis was born on January 7, 1942 to the late Norman and Grace (Thunder Bull) Janis at their home in Kyle, SD. Curtis was raised and grew up in the Medicine Root District and attended boarding school in Pine Ridge, SD. Curtis followed in his father’s footsteps and joined the United States Marine Corps. on March 31, 1959 in Denver, CO and served 4 years of military service and was station at Camp Pendleton, CA. Curtis’s father was a World War II Veteran and also considered a hero for his heroic deeds that he completed during World War II. During Curtis’ time in the Marine Corps., Curtis received his GED and was also deployed to Vietnam in the 1st Marine Division. Curtis was honorably discharged from the United States Marine Corps. after faithfully serving on July 16, 1963. After his military service, Curtis became and police officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs and the Pine Ridge Department of Public Safety for over 25 years. His last place of service was for the City of Mesa, AZ as a very skilled carpenter. Curtis is survived by his son, Andre Janis, Sr. of Wounded Knee, SD; daughters, Elana Kindness of Crow Agency, MT, Pamela Janis of Wanblee, SD, Sheila Janis of Farmington, MN, and Jacinta “Rosie” Lipp of Manderson, SD; sisters, Ferris Janis of Kyle, SD, Pearl Janis-Dull Knife of Wanblee, SD, Bonita Janis-Olney of Washington, Margaret Rainbow of Lake Andes, SD, Vinney Puckett of Kyle, SD, Josephine King, Lavon King, and Rhoda King all of Kyle, SD; 21 Grandchildren, and 24 Great Grandchildren. Curtis was preceded in death by his parents, Norman & Grace Janis; brothers, Dennis King, Charles King, and Vine King; and one granddaughter, Angel Janis. Wake Services: Two night wake services starting at 12:00 PM, Thursday, January 15, 2015 at the Little Wound School Small Gym in Kyle, SD Funeral Service: 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 17, 2015 at the Little Wound School Small Gym in Kyle, SD Burial Service: St. Stephen’s Catholic Cemetery, Kyle, SD Officiating: Mr. Joe Brown Thunder Traditional Lakota Services: Mr. Orville Looking Horse and Mr. Merle Whistler Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD