JEROME ZEPHIER

Jerome Zephier, 35, of Marty died Monday, June 27, 2022 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner. Funeral services were Friday, July 1 at the Marty Community Center in Marty. Burial was in St. Paul’s Catholic Cemetery in Marty. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner was in charge of arrangements.

Jerome Iyokipipi Wicaya Zephier, Mani Hanska, was born November 11, 1986, in Marshall, MN to Jonita Zephier (Crawford) and John Zephier. Jerome was raised on the Yankton Sioux Reservation where he attended and graduated from Marty Indian School in Marty. He started his family young at the age of 16 years old. After graduating, he joined the work force and worked in various establishments as a cook. He loved to experiment in the kitchen and was always concocting delicious recipes. He would always say that our grandma Mildred would tell him that his food would always turn out delicious as long as he cooked with a good heart and prayed.

His greatest love and achievement were his ten beautiful children: Aleena (18) (Jewel Brewer), Amaziah (15), Amentae (13), Amar’e (11), Ameerah (9), Amara (7), Azidia (5), Azarah (2), Aziah (2), and Roma (18) (Celena Rahman). He was so proud of their accomplishments and would do everything he could to ensure that they were taken care of and knew that they were loved. He would always convince his sister into getting all the supplies necessary to play games with all his children, nieces, and nephews in the summer. They made sure the kids created beautiful memories together; always laughing and playing games just as they experienced in their childhoods.

While attending Marty Indian School Jerome excelled as an athlete on the basketball court, becoming well known for his threepoint shot and defensive skills. As his oldest son and nephew developed that same love of the game, he made it a point to make it to all of their games. We would get their schedules and plan out the whole season around our schedules. If something conflicted with their games, it was canceled as we hit the road to their next basketball game, cheering for them as a fan of the Braves and giving them pointers as a father and uncle.

His other greatest love was without a doubt Sundance. He began Sundancing in 2010 at the Tatanka Tanka Wiwayang Wacipi. He loved his family and made the decision to Sundance for their continued health and happiness. He had such a big heart, always smiling and laughing with his relatives. He brought that same energy to the Sundance circle. Those that had the pleasure of dancing with him know exactly what his family experienced with his overall happy personality. He loved all his Sundance brothers and sisters. He would always share his experience afterward and although he suffered in the circle he always came home with some crazy stories and a smile on his face, excited for the next year to dance hard for his family.

Jerome comes from a family of accomplished bead and quillworkers. He began quilling when he was twelve years old when living in Oneida, WI. His work was beautiful and unique. He didn’t take up the trade as a profession, but when his sister or mom needed help finishing a project, they could always count on him to help get it done. His first few items of beadwork he created were for his oldest daughter Aleena Zephier. When she was a baby, he would make her beaded necklaces; he and her mother would always dress her up with the help of his sister and mom. He didn’t create many pieces, but the pieces he did create were amazing and those that have the pleasure of owning them are truly blessed to possess his work.

There are no words that can explain the feeling Jerome’s presence brought to any gathering, his infectious smile, laugh, and joking nature would uplift all who connected with him. His infectious smile and laugh were like gravity; they pulled you toward him no matter where he was in the room.

Jerome was preceded in death by his grandparents James “Big Jim” and Phyllis Crawford and Adalbert and Mildred Zephier. He is survived by his mother, Jonita Zephier (Crawford), brothers, Stan Zephier, John Zephier Wakinyan Hotan Wanbdi Wicasa Zephier (Eagle Man), sister, Sarah W. Zephier, father John Zephier (Jihye), brothers, Jessie Zephier, Luke Zephier, Saunders Zephier, sister Kohaku Zephier, and ten beautiful children, Aleena Zephier (18), Amaziah Zephier (15), Amantae Rahman (13), Amar’e Zephier (11), Ameerah Zephier (9), Amara Zephier (7), Azidia Zephier (5), Azarah Zephier (2), Aziah Zephier (2), and Roma Rahman (18). He is also survived by many nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles, and cousins.