Simon Peter Looking Elk was born July 22, 1937, to Talbert and Victoria (Holy Rock) Looking Elk at home at Oglala on the Pine Ridge Lakota Reservation. He graduated from Pine Ridge High School in 1957. He married LaVonne Bighorn Oct. 17, 1959, at Fort Kipp, Mont.
He graduated from Cook Christian Training School in Tempe, Ariz., and Arizona State University. He attended Princeton Theological Seminary and Dubuque Theological Seminary, graduating in 1970. In June 1970 he was ordained in the Presbyterian Church (USA) at his home church, Makasan Presbyterian Church, Oglala. He served for 50 years in the Presbytery of Dakota and was pastor for the Porcupine Presbyterian Church for almost 30 years. He also worked at Oglala Lakota College and as a chaplain at Fort Meade VA Hospital in Sturgis.
He is survived by his wife and children.
A memorial will be established to the Porcupine Presbyterian Church.
Friends may sign his online guest register at www.osheimschmidt.com.