Passed away on Dec 28, 2011

Kirby E. Thundercloud “Zazamani” Kirby E. Thundercloud, age 40, of Tomah and formerly of Black River Falls, passed away on Wednesday, December 28, 2011 in his home. Kirby Emanuel Thundercloud was born in Black River Falls on June 4, 1971 to Raymond and Judith Ann (Hopinkah) Thundercloud. He was raised in the Black River Falls area and attended Black River Falls High School where he earned numerous achievements as an All Conference football player and First Team Coulee Conference Wrestling Champion. He also was a member of the Homecoming Court. He graduated from Black River Falls High School in 1990. In 1991, Kirby attended Kicking Horse Job Corps in Ronan, MT and graduated from the Heavy Equipment Operator Program. Kirby loved to sing with his brothers, the Thundercloud Singers. The brothers’ talents took them to pow-wows across North America including a national tour with Blues Traveler, the Allman Brothers Band, Dave Matthews Band, Sheryl Crow and numerous other award winning artists. Kirby was eager to lend a hand to those in need. He cared for all those he called family and friends. He also inspired many as he came to make fitness a priority in his life and could be found encouraging others to join his mission. He enjoyed running, biking, weight lifting and other forms of activity including competing in endurance runs and fitness challenges. He also volunteered with Tomah youth to teach Ho-Chunk singing and drumming. Kirby will be greatly missed by the friends he made through his travels and those who enjoyed his humor and company during his employment with Hoc-Chunk Housing and Ho-Chunk Gaming. Kirby is survived by his parents, Raymond and Judith Ann Thundercloud; a brother, Zachary; a sister, Nehomah Thundercloud; many Ho-Chunk brothers and sisters; sons, Joshua and Jacob; daughters, Jamyn, Brooke, and Mira Belle; and his life long friend, Burley. He was preceded in departure by paternal grandparens, Emanuel “Soup” Thundercloud and Agnes Whitegull Thundercloud; maternal grandparents, Benjamin Hopinkah and Gretchen Youngthunder Eagleman; jagis, Peter Thundercloud, Ross Thundercloud, Chris Thundercloud, and Bill Hall; and nanis, Cheryl Hopinkah and Jeannette Hopinkah. Funeral services will be held at 4 P.M. on Friday, December 30, 2011 at the Raymond and Judith Ann Thundercloud residence, 8857 Decorah Rd. at the Ho-Chunk Indian Mission, rural Black River Falls. Burial will follow in the Decorah Cemetery. Jeff Goodbear will officiate. The Buswell Funeral Home, Black River Falls, is assisting the family with arrangements. Online condolences are available at www.buswellfuneralhome.com