Louis B. “Louie” White, 71, of Sioux City, IA, passed away September 27, 2024, at a local hospital.  Services will be held Thursday, October 3, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the Urban Native Center, 1501 Geneva St, Sioux City, IA.  Arrangements are under the direction of Waterbury Funeral Service of Sioux City.

Louis “Louie” White was born on December 16, 1952, in Garrison, North Dakota to Lewis “Bumpy” and Leota (Perkins) White. Louie grew up in the White Shield area and was an enrolled member of the Mandan, Hidatsa and Arikara Nation in North Dakota. His early years were spent growing up with his many cousins, sisters and brothers and he enjoyed sharing lots of stories about his youth. He was given the nickname, “Pumpkin” by his Aunt Ester Perkins and this name stuck with him throughout his lifetime.

Louie attended elementary schools at the St. Joseph’s Indian School in Chamberlain, SD and the Stephan Indian School in SD. He graduated from Todd County High School in Mission, SD in 1970, and he enlisted in the Navy upon completion of high school.  He served on the U.S.S. Enterprise CVAN65 and was an aircraft mechanic. Louie received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal and the Navy Unit Commendation Award.  He was honorably discharged from the Navy in 1974.  He was very proud of his service and shared many stories about his experiences onboard his ship.

During his active duty, he met the love of his life, Mary Bear Child and they were married in Oakland, California on April 4, 1974.  From this union, they had five children—Weylin, Henry, Louis the III, Marie and Phillip.  Upon his discharge from the Navy, Louie attended Western Iowa Tech and earned a degree in Police Science. Most of his career was spent in law enforcement.  He worked as BIA law enforcement officer on the Rosebud Reservation. Louie and Mary moved to Oakland, California where he was employed as a guard in a maximum-security unit at San Quentin Prison and where Charles Manson was housed. He shared many harrowing experiences during his time as a prison guard.  Louie and Mary moved their family to Sioux City, Iowa where he was employed at Sioux City Brick and Tile and Speedy Auto Wash.  Upon his retirement he enjoyed spending time with his wife Mary Lee, his dog Zayn, and her cat Lillith.  He loved all his children and was a special grandpa to his many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Louie was a long-time Raider fan, and he never missed a game or an opportunity to bet with his brothers when they had opposing games.  He loved to tell stories and had the best sense of humor.  He will be missed by his many relatives, friend and family.

Those left to honor his memory include his children: Henry, Marie and Phillip; grandchildren:  Jennifer, Heaven, Louis the III, Kaleigh, Wailani, Kya, Tiana, Tyler Hunter; great grandchildren: Messiah, Jordon, Amarion, Amiyah, Haysleigh, Avegasau and Kalepo; siblings:  Tom White, Lee Ann (Tuffy) Beardt, Don “Pug” (Ruth) White, Bonnie L. Jones, and Greg (Jodi) White.

He is preceded in death by his parent, Lewis and Leota White; his wife, Mary; his two sons: Weylin and Louis; grandson: Tyler James and his sister, Bernadette.

Louie was able to transform lives through the gift of organ and tissue donation with the Iowa Donor Network.