Herman Red Elk, III, a member of the Rides the White Horse Clan, passed away November 5th 2020 at St. Vincents Hospital in Billings, MT.
Herman was born May 11, 1954 to Herman Red Elk, Jr. and Alberta Kennedy in Poplar MT.
He was part of the Morman Placement Program where in 1966, Herman was raised in the home of Rulan and Margaret Callister and family. He attributed his success in life to the hard work ethics Herman taught to his own sons and daughters, learned on the family farm.
Herman jumped on his motorcycle after his junior year in 1971, saying he needed to get back to his roots, graduating from Rapid City High School, Rapid City SD, in 1973.
Herman joined the United States Navy after high school following the deep military roots of his ancestors. He was honorably discharged after returning from the Vietnam War.
Herman returned to Poplar MT, where he met Bonnie Clincher. They were married May 11, 1985 in Poplar. He raised Bonnie’s son Clifford Country as his own. The family home grew by three more, joined by Charley Jae, Vern James and Randy Leon Red Elk.
Herman later started Red Elk Renovations, he was never undeterred by the winter storm calls at 2am for furnace calls or the 3am calls by his children. He made sure he was there to help and always would make a way for peoples calls for help were completed.
He and Bonnie took in many nieces, nephews and family, guiding each and opening their home with a good heart. Some of them were Keith Kennedy, Angie Kennedy Figueroa, Joseph Cloud Boy, Mundo Cloud Boy, Carly Clincher, Josephine Youngman (Ilona jo),and Derrick Red Elk.
Herman loved his family and their home was always filled for family dinners, having Grandma Lenore over every Sunday evening. The famous Red Elk reunions every other summer were very special to him as family from across the country attended. He took his family every summer to the Black Hills in Rapid City to stay in the home of family friend Ken Bergland.
We will always remember you in a good way. We took for granted that you would always be here for the dinners, the attendance at games, the teasing, the calls and short visits. We thank you and we love you and we will miss you immensely.
Herman is survived by children Charley(Lee)Snell, Vern(Winter)RedELk, Randy Red Elk all of Poplar and Holly Red Elk of New York. Grandchildren Adrian and Joseph Red Elk, Kansas. Hazel Marie Red Elk and Carolann Lenore Country of Wolf Point. Sisters Valerie (Royal)Schurz, Az. Kim Adams, OH. Brother Marlon Red Elk, AZ. Adopted brothers Jay, Seth and Jeff Callister, ID. and many special nieces, nephews, cousins and grandchildren, all who he was proud of and had many special memories.
Herman was preceded in death by his parents, Bonnie Clincher Red Elk, son Clifford Country, Brother Eugene Lorne Red Elk, Sisters Randi, Kathy Red Elk Cloud Boy and Sandra Red Elk, Cousin Keith Red Elk.
Herman had many family and friends who he adopted as family, we apologize if we left anyone out.