Ryan Burshia

Our beloved son, grandson, brother, nephew, uncle, cousin and friend Ryan Allen Burshia, age 31, went home to be with his Lord and savior Jesus Christ on June 12, 2025 at Roosevelt Medical Center in Culbertson, MT.

Ryan was born on October 9, 1993 to William Burshia Sr. and Janel (Buck Elk) Little Light. Ryan attended school in Culbertson, MT from kindergarten to his senior year, after graduation he attended Fort Peck Community College in Poplar, MT. He attended for half a year, before working off and on for his uncle Wendell “Chico” Martell in construction, and other odd jobs. He met girlfriend Francine “Fran” WhiteShield and moved to Fargo, ND working at Wal-Mart and various restaurants, he also traveled a lot with his cousin Wayne Sayetsitty Jr. making friends wherever he traveled . In his short life he accpmplished a lot, he was home for a visit when he passed.

Ryan made a big impact on the lives of people who had the privilege of knowing him. With his kind heart and quiet caring nature. Ryan always had a smile on his face, and always willing to help those in need.

Ryan will be remembered for these qualities, he never had children of his own, but he was blessed with 2 nieces and four nephews he loved as his own. Ryan was dedicated to his Lord and savior Jesus Christ, and we know he is in his precious care today, thank you Jesus.

Ryan leaves behind, until we meet again, his father William Burshia Sr.; mother Janel (Darin) Little Light; grandmother Violet BuckElk whom he loved dearly, and uncle Darryl BuckElk who helped raise him, Ryan was Darryl’s whole world. Ryan had two brothers Nicholas Burshia and William Burshia (Dominique), three sisters Brittany (Daniel) Tovar, Faith BuckElk and Tristan Burshia; nieces Haiven “Babygirl” Burshia, Julianna Tovar, Nya Dawn Burshia; nephews Keagan BuckElk, Logan BuckElk and Shontel BuckElk and his newest love Kendrick Burshia. He also leaves behind uncles Wendell “Chico” and Donette Martell, Miles Burshia and Noel Burshia; aunts Mary Follette and Rodney, Teresa BuckElk and Michael, Yvette Olsen, Sadie Smith, Jennifer “Missy” Bearcub’ maternal grandparents Vernon (Donna) Chopper, Priscilla Carpenter, Aletha Chopper, Daniel Martell Jr, William (Doreen) Martell, Louis (Leeanne) BuckElk, Esther Hapa, Fredrick (Myrtle) Olsen, Cedric (Phyllis) PraireChief, Darlene LeftHand, Gloria Yankton, Robert (Darlene) BuckElk, Bernadine Mandan, Eileen Buckman, Warren (Geraldine) BuckElk; maternal aunts and uncles James Burshia, Evron (Didi) Davis, Nonette Davis, Tamara Firemoon, Jeremiah Davis, Darice BuckElk, Sylvia BuckElk, Leslie BuckElk, Elijah BuckElk, Tiffany Mast and family, Joseph BuckElk, Favion and David PrairieChief, Fredrick Jr., Doreen, Michael and Anthony Olsen, Sharon (Vernon) BuckElk, Vernice Chopper, Frank Chopper, Bear Chopper, Nicki (Maurice) Bighorn, Missy and Tanya Feather, Annette Chopper, Shalane Chopper, Jolene Jones. Ryan also had one special granddaughter Callista Peanut Gong. Ryan’s nieces, nephews and cousins are too numerous to mention but he loved them all.

Ryan is preceded in death by great grandparents Henry and nancy BuckElk Sr., Daniel Martell Sr. and Lucille Chopper; grandparents Henry BuckElk Jr., Darryl BuckElk Sr., Edgar BuckElk, Everette BuckElk, Ronnie Small, Wilson Shields, Sonny Burshia and Virginia Smith; uncles Rudolph “Rudy” Martell, Aaron Burshia, Henry Burshia, Brian Olsen, Emmanuel BuckElk, Christopher BuckElk, Darryl “D.K.” BuckElk Jr., Louis BuckElk Jr., Cedric PrairieChief Jr., Jimmy Martell, Jason Martell, Jeremy Chopper; aunts Thalia BuckElk, Andrea Davis, Wendy Chopper, Brandi CrazyBull; cousins Kyle Martell, Adam BlackDog, Sierra Follette.

Ryan my precious baby boy, you’ll always be in my heart and my memories. I’m comforted knowing you’re in the arms of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ, safe and sound, until I come where you are, I’ll always love you, my baby boy. All my love, Darryl and your little sister Haleigh BuckElk.