Mercedes Andrews

Funeral services for Mercedes Andrews were held on Tuesday, November 9, 2021, at 11:00 a.m., at the Bonesteel City Hall in Bonesteel, SD, with Reverend Ken James officiating.

Music was provided by the Pickstown Presbyterian Church Choir and Lorenzo Stars.

Pallbearers were Donald Stars, Corby Sachtjen, Brandon Andrews, Barron Andrews, Byron Andrews, Jr., Curtis Hanson, Todd Chasing Hawk, Jarryn Fallis, Dillon Yellow Hawk, and Aaron McBride. Honorary pallbearers were all of her grandchildren and great-grandchildren, grandma Opal, grandma Lavera, grandma Charlotte, Lavina Cooke, aunt Clementine Cane, Jessie Andrews, Rita Carlson, Winifred Andrews, Butch and Annie Felix, The Dakota Association of Clergy and Friends, and John Archambeau.

Interment was in the Ponca Creek UCC Cemetery in St. Charles, SD.

Mercedes Rose (Yellow Hawk) Andrews was born August 10, 1936, at home south of St. Charles, SD, to Chris and Dora Yellow Hawk. She died November 2, 2021, at the Lake Andes Senior Living Center in Lake Andes, SD, at the age of 85 years.

She grew up in the Milks Camp area and lived there. Except for a short time when she and Hampton lived in Fargo, ND, so he could attend mechanic school. She attended school at Marty, where she met many good friends. She worked at Sacred Heart Hospital in Yankton with her mom, Dora.

When she was young, her family moved to Rapid City, SD. They rode the train from Rapid City to Belle Fouche, SD, for work. They also went to Clark, SD, to work in the spud fields when it was time to harvest potatoes. While in Clark, they lived in a tent.

On May 16, 1956, she was united in marriage to Hampton Ray Andrews at the courthouse in Burke, SD. They raised seven children: Barbara (Ivy) Timber, Ronald James, twins Judith and Judy (Neil) Hanson, Byron (Brenda) Andrews, Arlene, and Kevin.

Mercedes worked at the Tee Pee Café in Bonesteel as a waitress, at Head Start at the UCC Church as a cook, at DSS in Burke with Alice Grant, at Milks Camp Industries and at Fort Randall Casino as a desk clerk and in housekeeping. She and Hampton also served as foster parents.

Mercedes was preceded in death by her husband, Hampton; her parents, Chris and Dora; her uncle Collins; her sons, Ronald and Kevin; her daughter Judith; her grandchildren Derek, Amber, Wilson, and Royce Yellow Hawk, Jr; her great-granddaughter, Faye Yellow Hawk; her grandma Annie; her aunt Mae Roubideaux, and Evelyn and Sam Poor.

She is survived by her children; her grandchildren: Erica, April, Curtis, Ashley, Brandon, Barron, Brandi, Byron, Jr., Courtney, and Kristy; her 25 great-grandchildren; and nine great-great-grandchildren.