Sarah Faith Briggs

      Sarah Faith Briggs was born at St. Mary’s Hospital in Reno, Nevada on July 15, 1983 to Richard and Carol (Stout) Briggs. She was baptized and raised in the Christian Faith.  While still a toddler, she moved with her mom and siblings to Blackfoot, SD and attended school there until moving with her family to Willmar, MN in 1996. She completed her schooling in Willmar by obtaining her GED in 2002. Her marriage to Andrew Marks took place in Willmar on December 12, 2013.

      Sarah passed away on February 3, 2022 at Avera Dougherty Hospice in Sioux Falls, SD at the age of 38. Cause of death was cardiac arrest, a complication of Covid-19. Due to the pandemic, a private memorial service for family and close friends will be held on February 18, 2022 with the Rev. David Rogers of the Cornerstone Baptist Church officiating.  Peterson Brothers Funeral Home is responsible for the arrangements.

     Sarah was a proud member of the Cheyenne River Sioux tribe. She often talked about her early years living on the reservation, learning about her heritage and Native customs. She enjoyed the freedom of living in a rural area, being able to swim in a nearby river and explore the environment with her siblings. When it appeared that she was nearing the end of her life, her dad’s brother performed a Naming Ceremony to give her a Lakota name prior to her passing. The name given her was “Wiyaka Omani Win” which means “woman who walks with a feather”.  A feather will accompany her remains.

     Sarah had an interest in photography, was an avid reader, an extremely talented artist, a model and was employed as a food server at various Willmar establishments. She had a special connection with nature and animals. Being a highly spirited and faith oriented person, she attended the Cornerstone Baptist Church in Willmar. Her children have fond memories of her taking them camping, fishing, building bonfires, gardening, hiking, bike riding and making special meals for them. They say her fried chicken was the best they ever tasted. She always obtained memberships for them at the YMCA so they could work out or swim together. She was thoughtful and kind, as beautiful on the inside as she was on the outside.

     Those grateful for having shared Sarah’s life are her husband, Andrew Marks of Wells, MN; her four children: Trinity Trooien of Willmar, MN, Calvin Trooien of Willmar, MN, Avery Marks of Wells, MN, and Elijah Ward of Willmar, MN; her mother and stepdad, Carol and Victor Ducheneaux of Mobridge, SD; her father, Richard Briggs of Eagle Butte, SD; one sister, Tabitha Briggs of St. Helens, Oregon; two brothers, Zachariah Briggs of Eagle Butte, SD and Jeremiah Briggs of Rapid City, SD; four half sisters, Tashina Ducheneaux of Eagle Butte, SD, Prairie Ducheneaux of Greshan, Oregon, Little Blue Sky Briggs of Reno, NV, and Kimimila Briggs of Eagle Butte, SD; and one half brother, Isaiah Ducheneaux of Mobridge, SD., besides other relatives and many friends

     She was preceded in death by her maternal and paternal grandparents. Blessed be her memory, she will be greatly missed.