Sylvester McKay

Sylvester McKay went to be with the Lord on Friday, September 20, 2019, in the presence of his loving family at Presbyterian Kaseman Hospice. Sylvester was born September 14, 1933 at Fort Totten, North Dakota, on the Spirit Lake (Dakota) Reservation, the son of Michael and Florence (Lohnes) McKay. (This area has been known by several names; the Fort Totten Reservation, Devils Lake Sioux Reservation, and the more correct translation of Mni Wakan.) He grew up in the Fort Totten area, attended St. Michael's Little Flower Elementary School, and graduated from St. Paul's High School in Marty, South Dakota, where he met his companion Elaine Clarke. He served in the U.S. Army from 1952 to 1956 during the Korean War. Sylvester is survived by son Shain McKay and his partner Mary Brazell of Albuquerque, New Mexico; sister Lois Ann McKay of Omaha, Nebraska; grandson Eric and his partner Wendy Brazell and great-grandchildren James and Vera Brazell of Edgewood, New Mexico; Ex-wife Verzella (Max/McKay) Huckfeldt of Sisseton, South Dakota; son Terry McKay of Sisseton, SD; daughter Melissa "Missy" McKay Huff and her husband Richard of Sisseton, SD and their three sons Mitchell Lohre and his daughter Elena Lohre, Seth Lohre and his wife Jeanine and daughters Mia and Harper of Beresford, SD, and Kegan Huff of Sioux Falls, SD and his family; daughter Tayler Huff and her boyfriend Casey Rise and son Liam of Wilmot, SD. Sylvester was preceded in death by his parents, four brothers Timothy, Melvin, Richard, and Earnest ("Phillip"); and three sisters Evangeline, Audrey, and Viola; and his companion Elaine Clark. Sylvester loved watching old western movies as well as football and baseball, and especially the New York Yankees. But his favorite pastime was his regular workouts at Langford Sports & Physical Therapy in Albuquerque. Arrangements entrusted to: Riverside Funeral Home of Albuquerque 225 San Mateo Blvd NE (505) 764-9663