Tyler Birney, 45, Ortley, died April 30, 2025, at Prairie Lakes Hospital, Watertown.
Funeral services were May 4 at Waubay School Gymnasium and livestreamed. Interment was at Ortley Cemetery.
Tyler “Tybud” Rex Birney was born March 26, 1980, to Rex and Jacqueline (Roberts) Birney at Watertown. They lived in Ortley and attended Ortley Free Lutheran Church. He attended school in Waubay, graduating in 1998. He obtained his master’s degree in integrated technology. He worked at Dakota Magic Casino as a surveillance agent and later at Indian Health Services in the IT department and currently as safety officer.
He was a member of Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribe, an OG of Toka Nuwan District. He enjoyed going to movies and concerts, reading and writing stories and was member of a writing club. He enjoyed the Philadelphia Eagles, cooking scalloped corn for get togethers and hosting cook outs. He especially enjoyed spending time with family.
Survivors include his father, Ortley; brother, Jamie and Sarah Birney, Fargo, ND; sister, Danielle and Cody Hinkelman, Watertown; four nieces and nephews; many aunts, uncles and cousins.
He was preceded in death by his mother, grandparents, a nephew, aunts, uncles and cousins.