Saunder Nyles St. Marks, Magazhu Kmunga Hokshina, Rainbow Boy, took his journey to be with the Creator on Sunday, the 26th of March 2023. He was 24 years young. He was a son, a brother, a grandson, a nephew, an uncle, a cousin and a great friend to many.
Saunder was born on March 9, 1999 in Wolf Point, Montana to Sonya Smoker and Jamie St. Marks. Not only was he their only son but he was their pride and joy. He was a big brother to his baby sisters Kaylandra (KJ) Smoker-St. Marks and DeShaya Smoker and a little brother to Amanda St. Marks. Saunder attended and graduated in 2017 from Frazer High School with honors as the Salutatorian. Saunder was very athletic and played many sports in high school and he excelled in football and in basketball. He had many accolades throughout his high school career which included: All-State Honorable Mention in Football 2015-16, 1st Team All-Conference in Basketball & Football 2015-16, & 2016-17, voted Football Teammate of the Year for the Wolf Point Wolves 2015-16, 1st Team All State in both football & basketball 2016-17, selected to play in the 29th Annual Class B All Star game, selected to play in the Senior Classic All Star Basketball game and selected for 2nd team All Star, He was an All-time career 3point baskets made regardless of classification and was Inducted to the Frazer Bearcubs Wall of Fame 2016-17.
Family was very important to Saunder and cherished the fact that he came from a big family with many aunties, uncles and cousins growing up. He enjoyed family gatherings especially barbeques, Sunday Dinners and loved Thanksgiving and Christmas Times together. Saunder loved his family as deeply as possible and his family loved him so very much. Although family was important to him, Saunder had many friends he also considered his family and shared a brotherly bond. Saunder believed family should always come first. He had a special tattoo on his chest that he was proud that read “Family… like branches on a tree, we may grow in different directions yet our souls remain as one.”
Saunder enjoyed hunting, fishing, golfing, gaming, playing horseshoes, playing yahtzee, working with his dad as a Wildland Fire Fighter and spending time with family and friends. He loved to take long cruises and listen to his music. Music was one of the many ways he expressed himself and was self-taught to play the ukulele. He would snap his friends’ with pictures of sunsets and anything he thought was worth sharing. Sending mostly selfies meant to make you laugh and put a smile on your face. He liked to joke around and make everyone laugh and had an infectious personality. He also loved his sports teams and avidly cheered his San Frisco 49ers, Golden State Warriors, Oregon Ducks, and MSU Bobcats. He rallied when his teams won against rivals and made sure it was known by joking and poking fun.
Saunder is preceded in death with his grandpas Phillip Smoker Sr. Roger St. Germaine Sr., Dennis St. Marks and Kenneth St. Marks, His aunty Lonell Smoker, and his uncles Choya Smoker, Thomas St. Germaine, and Travis St. Germaine, his little cousin Jaceen Smoker.
Saunder is survived by his mom, Sonya Smoker, his dad, Jamie St. Marks, his sisters Kaylandra Smoker-St. Marks, DeShaya Smoker and Amanda St., Marks, his grandmas Rosalie Smoker, Adeline Rose Smoker-White and Lila Doney. His aunties, Tiana Smoker, Sheena Smoker, Teera Smoker, Donell Smoker, Rhea Smoker & Donna Jo Clampitt. His uncles Mike DeWitt, Roger St. Germaine Jr., Jason Martell, Jordan Martell and Fletcher Clampitt, His cousin-brother DeShon Smoker-DeWitt, and cousins Mikaya, Milayna, and Trayce Smoker DeWitt, KiAnn & Kellyn Smoker-Randall, Jessa Smoker-Nelligan, DeShane and Daxis Smoker, Jayde, Mackenzie, ChyAnn, Montana, Elizabeth, Rilyn, & Fletcher Clampitt Jr., and, Lance, Shane, Lindsey, Robin St. Germaine, Jazmyn Windy Boy, Xhaiden, Talia, Chowie St. Germaine, Wyatt Martin, Franklin, and Jace Martell, Dyllin, Trey, Jocelyn, Dominque St. Germaine, AJ, Savanah, Aubrey Walker, his god son Elijah Smoker-DeWitt, his niece Amara Smoker-DeWitt, and too many relatives to mention.
Saunder was taken too soon from us but lived a beautiful life and made a positive impact with everyone he met. He will be deeply missed but will be remembered forever in our hearts. Fly high Saunder Nyles, shoot the lights out, until we meet again
A wake will be held on Friday, March 31st at 7:00 p.m. at the Oswego Community Hall. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, April 1st at 1:00 p.m. at the Frazer High School. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery.
Clayton Stevenson Memorial Chapel has been entrusted with arrangements. Condolences for the family may be left using the form below.