Category Archives: Obituaries

Graveside services for Ruth Sutton, 91, were held Dec. 15 at the Sutton Cemetery. Burial was in the Sutton Cemetery in Bonesteel.

Ruth Darlene Geyer Sutton was born on July 10, 1929 in Bonesteel, SD to Harry C. Geyer and Mary (Flisram) Geyer. She passed away on Dec. 11, 2020 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Burke, SD at the age of 91 from complications of Covid-19.

 She was the youngest of 5 children and grew up on a farm southeast of Bonesteel. She began attending the rural school at age 5 and later the family moved in to Bonesteel where she attended and graduated from Bonesteel High School in 1946.

 Ruth taught at a rural school north of Gregory for one year. In 1947 she married Billie Sutton at Delmont, SD. They lived on the Sutton Ranch north of Bonesteel, where she made her home for 70 years. There they raised their 3 daughters, Sally, Susan, and Sara, and son, William John (Bill). Ruth spent the last four years of her life at Silver Threads Assisted Living in Gregory, SD.

 It was a busy life on the ranch all those years but one that she truly loved. She was welcoming to all family and friends. She really enjoyed the holidays, birthdays, and special times with all the kids, grandkids, and great grand kids. A very important part of her life was cooking for large groups and she became known for making her family’s favorite dishes. She would always be the last to make her plate even though she had been cooking all day.

 She was very proud of her family and their accomplishments. She was always present at the many school, church, sports, 4-H, and rodeo events of her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Ruth was first baptized as a baby in the Norwegian Lutheran Faith. Then became a member of the St. Andrews Episcopal Church in Bonesteel until it closed. Up until her passing, she was an active member of the Lucas Baptist Church being baptized in the Missouri River at age 80. She especially enjoyed the music in the Lucas Church and was privileged to sometimes share her music as a soloist or with her family in a group. As a young girl and later on in life she sang for many funerals and events.

 Ruth had a very special relationship with God, believed in his son Jesus Christ, and believed he was always with her, especially in the difficult times in her life. After losing her husband at a young age in a tragic accident in 1982 on the ranch, and after grandson Billie’s accident in 2007, her faith got her through those dark days.

 Ruth enjoyed traveling and was able to visit all 50 states and 7 countries. She appreciated each trip with special friends or family and never missed a family reunion until 2009.

 Ruth was a very active community member and had a long history of public service..  She was involved in many different organizations throughout her lifetime. They included the Rosebud Rancherettes, South Dakota Cattlewomen, 4-H, Rodeo, Herrick Legion Auxiliary, Bonesteel Alumni Association, and South Dakota Hall of Fame.  Her involvement in politics started when her husband Billie served in the South Dakota State Legislature. It also included a campaign for state auditor, and involvement with the Gregory County Democrats. She was proud to see her continued passion for politics be carried on by her grandson’s campaign for governor in 2018. She was known for her outspoken opinion and knowledge of current political events.

Ruth is survived by her daughter, Sally (Dick) Brown of Spirit Lake, IA. Their children and grandchildren Chris (Debbie) Brown, Jennie and Tim; Steve Brown; and Mark (Lindsay) Brown, Laina, Sutton, and Bodie; and grandson Hunter Brown.

Daughter Susan Sutton of Burke, SD. Her children and grandchildren Dana Gooby and sons Tim and James Haskell; Billie Rae (Erik) Person, Kray, Lacey, and Hallie; and Jessi McDonald.

Daughter Sara (Rich) Grim of Bonesteel, SD. Their children and grandchildren Kim (Matt) Petersen Christina and Paul; Mollie (Seth) Andrews, Sadie and Beck; and Callie (Kevin) Vinton, Avery, Meyer, and Nicklin.

 Son William John (Renéé) Sutton of Burke, SD. Their children and grandchildren Dee (Tyler) Haugen, Landry, Arina, and Blaisely; Billie (Kelsea) Sutton, Liam; and Réhme (Tayler) Thompson, Maris and Maysa.

She is also remembered by many nieces, nephews, neighbors, and friends.

 Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, husband Billie, twin brothers Harry Jr. and Harold, sisters, June and Marie; grandson Eric Brown, and great granddaughter Lenny Sutton.

She was very thankful for all the many blessing in her life which included her family, friends, and good health for 91 years. She will forever be missed by her family. Ruth gave her family the blessing of writing down much of her story in her own words. In her writing, her humility and perspective shine through. She lived a purposeful–and by all measures successful–life, but ultimately cherished simple things. In a way that will strike everyone as so Ruth-like, she directed: “Make my obituary as simple as possible. I was born, I lived 91 years and died; end of story.” While it was an amazing story, the many family and friends she leaves behind know this is not the end.

Rev. Arnold Brown, formerly  of South Dakota, died Nov. 23.

He pastored at churches in Millboro and Wood.

Arnold was born on November 28, 1926 in Lowell, MA., the youngest child of Lalia Ferguson Brown and George Harold Brown. Arnold graduated from Howe High School in Billerica, MA., and then from Tufts University with an undergraduate degree in History and a Masters in Theology. He met his future wife, Judith Marshall in the 1st grade. They married in 1950, after his WW II experience in the Navy. Together, Arnold and Judith went to the Rosebud Larger Parish in South Dakota to minister to many congregations and where their two daughters, Belinda and Gretchen were born, and lifelong friendships were forged.  They adopted their Native American son, Timothy before their move to Craftsbury Common, VT in 1961. Soon after arriving in Craftsbury, son Christopher joined their family. Born in South Korea, he was the first international adoption by the VT Children’s Aid Society. Arnold served the Church on the Common for 25 years (1961-1986) making the Parsonage home. Following his retirement, Arnold was honored to be named Pastor Emeritus of the United Church of Craftsbury.

Some people have described Arnold as a true visionary, bringing to life such events as the flowering of the Easter cross, the Craftsbury Old Time Fiddlers and Banjo Contests, the Christmas Eve Midnight Service, the annual summer Birthday Supper, annual midnight ringing of the church bells on New Year’s Eve for 50 years, and the founding of Browns’ Beautiful Blueberries. He will also be remembered for youth group sledding parties on the Post Road, using his garden hose to make a skating rink on the Common, Ice Cream Socials, hosting a chapter of Operation Friendship, caroling around the Common on Christmas morning, digging wild leeks, skiing down the Toll Road on Mount Mansfield after Easter Sunrise Services and returning home in time to lead the morning service at the Church on the Common, annual morning services on his favorite holiday, Thanksgiving.

Arnold volunteered under the Marshall Plan to help in rebuilding post World War II England. He marched in Washington, DC for civil rights and protested against the Vietnam War. Other than his salary, he refused payment for all ministerial services performed.

He picked apples and tomatoes by the hundreds of pounds in Quebec each year and found such pleasure in distributing them to community friends and neighbors. His greatest joy was the gift of giving.

   Arnold enjoyed his other careers: teaching Comparative Religion at Sterling School, and as a US Immigration Inspector on the Canadian border, in Ireland, Kenya and Montreal, PQ. He, with his family, also served for a year, as part of a pastoral exchange, in Preston, England. He, most of all, cherished relationships with friends made in Massachusetts, Prince Edward Island, South Dakota, Vermont, England, Ireland, Kenya and on his blueberry porch on Coburn Hill in Craftsbury.

Arnold is predeceased by his wife, Judith Marshall Brown, his sons, Timothy Marshall Brown and Christopher Marshall Brown and of his siblings: Mildred, Harold, Thelma, Raymond and Leonard.

His family extends its deepest thanks to the many caregivers, who over the years provided both outstanding care and deep commitment to his well-being.

Arnold leaves his daughters Belinda Brown (Phillip Lovely) of Craftsbury, VT, Gretchen Brown-Boudreau (Peter Boudreau) of Portland, OR, many beloved grandchildren, great grandchildren and his special “Lady Friend” Augusta W. Bartlett of Marlboro, VT.

His final gift is that of donating his body to the University of Vermont Medical School.

Should friends desire to donate in his memory, Arnold would appreciate any gift to the Marshall Brown Scholarship

Clarine Black, 86, of Winner, passed away on Sunday, Dec. 6, 2020 at the Winner Regional Hospital in Winner, SD. 

  Funeral service was held on Thursday, Dec. 10, 2020 at 10:30am at the Winner United Methodist Church.  Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.  A visitation will be held one hour prior to funeral service.

  Clarine Ena (Felstehausen) Black of Winner, South Dakota was born on Sept. 26, 1934 to Frederick Wilhelm Felstehausen and Ena Lea Fossum.   Clarine grew up on the family farm in Clark County with her brothers Eugene and Herman, attended rural school through the eighth grade and graduated from Clark High School in Clark, South Dakota.  After high school Clarine spent two years at Northern State Teachers College in Aberdeen where she received her two year teaching degree.  While at Northern she met Kenneth Black, who was the brother of her roommate Joan. 

  Clarine spent the 1954-1955 school year teaching country school at Ree Heights, South Dakota. 

  On June 5, 1955 she and Ken were married in Clark, South Dakota.  Their first home was in Armour, South Dakota where their first child (Bill) was born.  In 1958 they moved to Murdo, South Dakota and shortly after moved to Winner where they made their permanent home.  They had three more children, Fred, Robert, and Ena.  During their first four years in Winner, Clarine taught K-8 grades at country schools in rural Tripp County.  After the birth of Fred, she retired from teaching and worked at home with her family. When her children were grown she started a new career as an Avon representative and worked with Avon for 35 years. 

   Clarine was a member of the Winner United Methodist Church and seldom missed a Sunday, holiday service or special event. An outgrowth of her spiritual life was her involvement in community service organizations.  She was in Methodist Women’s Circle, taught Sunday School, was a member of the Winner Women’s Club, a leader of the Modern Woodmen Service Organization, a Cub Scout den mother, a Lion’s Club member wife and later a Lion’s club member. She served as treasurer at the Winner Senior Center.  Clarine and Ken were lifelong members of the Order of Eastern Star.

  Clarine liked having her family together and planned an annual Christmas party for just before Christmas every year.  She loved her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren and could tell you everything about them whenever asked. One of her great gifts was her ability to make you feel like you were the most important person in her life. She enjoyed knitting, sewing, and making rag rugs.  Her great joy was visiting her children and grandchildren in Missouri, Kentucky, Tennessee, eastern South Dakota, the South Dakota Black Hills, Minnesota, Colorado, Wyoming, and Nebraska.

  Clarine is survived by her brother Herman Felstehausen, his wife Geka and her sister-in-law Donna (Eugene) Felstehausen, her four children, Bill (Sarah), Fred(Mary Kay), Robert (Arlene), and Ena (Brad), grandchildren Suzie (Frank), Sally (Jason), and Nancy, Heidi(Daniel), Kristi(Matt) Tom(Onita), Penny(Dustin),, and Cassie Marie(Mark), her great grandchildren Ellie and Collin, Autumn, Evelyn, Leroy and Kenneth, Trinity and Kylo, Mary Jane, Rubin, Andrew, and Alyssa, her great, great grandchildren, Aurora Rae, Linkin, and Veronica Ann as well as a host of nieces, nephews, and cousins.

   She was preceded in death by her father (Fred), mother (Ena), and step mother (Irma), her husband Kenneth, and her older brother Eugene.

Clair Turgeon, 91, of Winner, SD passed away on Saturday, Nov. 28, 2020 at the Gregory Hospital in Gregory, SD.  Private family services will be held at the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Burial will be announced at a later date.

Archie Robert  Bice passed away on Oct. 17 in Florida after a lengthy illness of recurring cancer.

He was born March 14, 1947, to Melvin and Roberta Bice of Ideal. He joined five other children on the farm, then three children making a total of nine sibblings.

He graduated from Winner High School in 1965 going on to attend Colorado State University in Ft. Collins graduating in June 1969.

He married Marilyn McCurdy of Denver right after graduation and started work at Dupont Company in Delaware where he spent his entire 40 year career. The couple started their family in 1974 and had two children, Brandon and Devon.

He spent the first ten years doing technical and research work and then managed technical organizations in support of research and development, plant design and manufacturing support.

Bice became the business engineer manager for Dupont’s carpet fiber and flooring business in the mid-90’s and managed Dupont’s engineering and processing equipment during his later years, retiring in 2009.

Accomplishments include being named primary patent holder for the chemical reactor used in manufacturing of Kevlar (R), the material used in making police and military bullet proof vests, personal armour and aircraft, aerospace and sports equipment. He had several other patents for the manufacture of Neoprene rubber and composite materials.

He and his wife lived in Delaware and Pennsylvania, later moving to Florida where they resided at the time of his death.

They traveled the world both for work and pleasure. They had been to most of the countries in Europe, Moracco, South Africa, Zambia, Japan, China, Hong Kong, Thailand, Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Alaska, Hawaii, Sweden and Russia.

He is survived by his wife, Marilyn; son, Brandon (Jill) and children Ella, Cody, Tara and daughter Devon Hilton (Will) and children Addison, Rianne and Liam. Also surviving are brothers Richard (Betty), Don (Ardy), Jon (Karen), Greg (Sis); sisters Betty (Dale ) Waters, Vesta (Laverne) Frank and Debbie (Lennie) Steffen.

Preceding him in death were his parents, a sister, Patricia.

At his request no funeral was held. His ashes will be dropped in the ocean at his beach house in Delaware this summer.

Ruby Carlson, 90, of Winner, SD passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 at the Winner Regional Health Care Center in Winner, SD.

 Private family funeral services was held on Monday, Dec. 7, 2020 at 2 p.m. at the Winner United Methodist Church in Winner, SD. Burial  followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

Ruby Mae Johnson was born in Winner, SD on Sept. 25, 1930 to Paul and Irene Johnson.  She passed away on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 due to complications from COVID 19.

Ruby was the youngest child of Paul and Irene Johnson of Hamill, SD, joining siblings Paul, Jr. (Bud) and Alice.  Ruby was baptized and confirmed in the Lutheran Church in Hamill, SD, that her grandfather had built.  From stories passed down from family she apparently had an abundance of energy as a child which continued through her life.  Starting school at age three, beginning to drive the family’s Model A at age five, riding her bike or horse to Hamill to see special friends or to Snow Dam to catch fish for her beloved Daddy, she was always on the move.

As with all the Johnson kids, she had a nickname, Johnny.  It stuck with her through life.  She attended high school in Winner, loved being a majorette and twirling lighted batons.  She did her part for the war effort babysitting her nephew during the summers so his mother could work for the Ordinance department in Igloo, SD. She worked on the school paper, “The Rodeo”.  During that time part of her duties were to mail copies of the paper to alumni who were active duty WWII servicemen.  Her classmate slipped her picture and a note into one of the serviceman’s paper saying, “you have to meet this girl”.  The serviceman wrote back after seeing the picture and said, “I am going to marry this girl” and on Jan. 1, 1948 Ruby married Harry Jr. (Sug) Carlson.  To this union two boys, Russell and Bradley and two girls, Crystal and Robin were born.  Jr. and Ruby lived on the family ranch raising Hereford cattle, kids and huge gardens for the next 53 years. Early in their marriage they joined a group who “square danced on horses”.  She loved to ride.  Ruby joined the Millboro Congregational Church after marriage and was the secretary for many years as well as teaching Sunday and Bible School, maintenance and decorating.  The back pew on the right side was “our” pew and the floor reveals the scuff marks to prove it.  On the ranch Mom did whatever was needed from maintaining a clean house, cooking lots of meals, filling lunchboxes with homemade goodies, harvesting gardens/wild berries, huge, delicious lunches during breaks in pheasant hunting opening weekend, working in the field with her cowboy hat and red lipstick on, painting and shingling the buildings, helping us find the first spring kittens, keeping calves in the porch or basement and fighting to save them as if she had given birth to them!  She could fix anything…even a flat tire with a baton as a jack handle while wearing a white dress and heels.  But her favorite thing to fix?  Ranch fence.  She loved it; it was her thing!  She even got a new wire stretcher for a gift and still loved all of us!  Dad always said if it wasn’t for Mom the ranch would not have survived.   She enjoyed crafting with friends, casino outings, crocheting many blankets, family trips to the Black Hills, Denver Stock Show and later trips just with Dad.   She supported all of her kids during sporting events/activities and when grandkids were participating, she did her best to be there also!

Dad and Mom moved to Winner “to retire”.  Moving off the ranch was incredibly hard for Mom, but she kept busy as always.  She loved to mow the lawn with her riding lawnmower and if the grass was even a “hair” long it got cut….and at terrifying breakneck speeds!  Mom finally, begrudgingly, retired the mower at the age of 89.

Mom taught us to love the Lord, persevere through hardships and loss, celebrate the victories, instilled in us a strong work ethic, and to love and care for your family and friends.

She was a wonderful wife, mother, grandmother, daughter, sibling, aunt and friend to all who knew her.  As this generation passes from the Carlson family, we will take our memories of this incredible woman and pass them on to the next generation.

Ruby is survived by her children, Russ (Deb) Lucas, TX; Brad (Vicki) Colome, SD; Crystal (Wally) Walton, Rapid City, SD; Robin (Vern) Millin, Wright, WY; Sister Alice Schuette, Newcastle, WY; Grandchildren/great grandchildren, Jason (Rachel) Carlson, Sydney and Sloane; Jesse Walton; Lindsey (Travis) Wieck, Drake, Bodie and Nile; Chelsea (Jake) Short, Denali; Cassidy (Shelby) Walton, Clay and Laramie; Bridget (Chase) Ryno, Huxley and Paxley; Clint Carlson; Dallas Millin; Nieces, Judy Janak and Jean Kelley; Nephews, Brent Rahn and Doug Addington.

Ruby was preceded in death by her husband, Sug; her parents and parent in-laws, brother Bud and numerous other special family and friends.

Ronald Teigh, 74, of Winner, SD passed away on Sunday, Nov. 21, 2020 at the Winner Regional Long-Term Care Facility in Winner, SD. 

A memorial service will be held this coming spring.  Burial will be held at the Black Hills National Cemetery near Sturgis, SD.

Ron was born Dec. 27, 1945 to Floyd and Margie Teigh.

Ron attended Winner High School and graduated in 1964. After graduation, Ron joined the National Guard and served his country during Desert Storm, serving in Germany, Iraq, and Saudi Arabia. After discharging from the National Guard, Ron returned to Winner where he worked at several cafes and was known for his famous omelets. While living in Winner, Ron met the love of his life, Bonnie Willamson. The two were united in marriage in 1971. To this union, a daughter and a son were born: Melinda and Jason.

In his free time, Ron enjoyed playing cards and bowling, but most of all, he enjoyed sitting on the deck with his grandchildren: Kylie, Austin, Colton and Jayden.

Ron is survived by his wife of 49 years, Bonnie; his daughter Melinda (Orville) Schroeder of Winner, son Jason Teigh of Aberdeen; Grandchildren: Kylie Schroeder, Colton Schroeder, Austin Schroeder, and Jayden Schroeder, all of Winner; Great-Granddaughter: Presley Schroeder of Mitchell; Sister: Penny (John) Vaughn of Winner, Sheri (Randy) Blare of Sioux Falls; Brother: Terry Teigh of Winner.

Ron is preceded in death by his parents, Floyd and Margie Teigh; parents-in-law, James (Tiny) and Lucille Williamson; brother-in-law, Don Williamson.

Ron will be greatly missed by all.

David Hibbs Sr., 59, of Kearney, NE passed away on Nov., 26, 2020 at the Kearney Regional Hospital in Kearney, NE.

Funeral services were held on Saturday, Dec., 5, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Mason Funeral Home in Winner, SD. Burial followed in the Winner City Cemetery.

David Alan Hibbs was born on May 13, 1961, in Hastings, Neb. to Donald and Maryleen Hibbs. He was raised in Superior, Neb., and attended Superior Public Schools until he graduated from Superior High School in 1979.

He married Sheryl Marie Carpenter on Aug. 9, 1980. He adopted Sheryl’s daughter Jennifer Renae Hibbs on June 1, 1980. They had a son David Alan Hibbs Jr. born on Jan. 28, 1981 and another son Jason Lynn Hibbs was born on June 26, 1983. He became a Law enforcement officer on May 10, 1981. His career as a cop ended on Aug. 19, 1992 in Guymon, Okla., due to a back injury by a suspect he was arresting. He was retired out and on disability until he passed away on Nov. 26th, 2020.

David is survived by his daughter Jennifer Renae Hibbs (Alex), son David Alan Hibbs Jr., son Jason Lynn Hibbs (Maggie); Grandchildren: Jaymee Hibbs, Britney Hibbs, Dylan Hibbs, Aclynn Osterbuhr, Aayden Hibbs, Caitlynn Anderson and Chloe Blank; One sister, Lori Fennell; His parents, Donald and Maryleen Hibbs; Numerous Aunts, Uncles, and Cousins.

He is preceded in death by: Ex-wife, Sheryl Marie Hibbs; Grandparents, George and Alice Hibbs; Ben Vavra and 1st wife, Goldie Vavra and 2nd wife, Margaret Vavra; Uncle Merle Dwayne Vavra.

Mavis Mardell Peneaux, 56, of Mitchell, SD died peacefully in her sleep surrounded by her family on Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 in her home in Mitchell, SD.

Graveside services were held on Friday, Dec. 4, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the Winner City Cemetery. Final viewing will begin at 10:30AM on Friday, December 4th, 2020 at the Winner Ideal Community Hall & Housing. Private family wake services were held on Wednesday, Dec. 2, 2020 at  the Winner Ideal Community Hall & Housing. Public wake services were held on Thursday, Dec. 3, 2020 at 7 p.m. at the Winner Ideal Community Hall & Housing.

Mavis was born Jan. 29, 1964 to Verle Lee Peneaux and Elsie Cordelia Fast Horse Peneaux in Rosebud, South Dakota. As a child she was adopted by Ray and Margaret Gonzales from Fort Thompson, South Dakota. Mavis is a G.E.D. graduate who went on to further her education at Sinte Gleska University, at this time she was married to her ex-husband Melvin Songer who went on and had 5 biological and 1 adopted daughter, and a son who they took in as their own Chris Zephier Sr., Stacey Foote, Maria (Daniel Alonzo) Songer, Tanya (Lance) LaPointe, Dawn (Josh) Abdo, Brenda (Chris) Joiner & Julia (Kelly) Watts.

Mavis is survived by her 6 daughters Stacy, Maria, Tanya, Dawn, Brenda, and Julia, plus 29 grandchildren, 9 great grandchildren and 4 siblings Alma (George) Small, Bud Lee (Kathy) Peneaux, Fern Ringing Shield, and Melda (Joe) Foote and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, cousins, in-laws, and friends.

She was preceded in death by her grandson Joshua Baptiste Abdo Jr., her parents, grand-parents, & 4 siblings Beryle (Peneaux) Antoine, Lester Peneaux, Wilbur Peneaux and Velda Peneaux and her son Chris Zephier Sr.

Besides spending her time watching her favorite TV shows or listening to her favorite music on the radio with her cat Samuel and her daughter Maria, she loved the presence of her grandchildren who will always remember her for her hospitality and fruit or home cooked meals especially her soup and frybread or fried chicken dinners or like her grandson Jordan will always say spaghetti. Everyone who knew Mavis knew her for her open arms, if you were hungry or needed a place to stay, her home was your home until you can get on your feet again. She had a very hard work ethic. She was a devoted CNA worker in Winner and Mitchell South Dakota. She worked at Avera Brady Rehab until early 2000’s. She is also a cancer survivor.

Roger Robert Milk was born on Dec. 24, 1933 in Milks Camp to Jesse Milk Sr. and  Salina High Rock, his siblings were Victor, Alfred, Ruth, and Jesse. Jr. who were descendants of Chief Red Cloud. Their great grandfather is Chief Good Cane Milk, Sagye Waste Asunpi. He was at the Fort Laramie Treaty talks in 1868. And their paternal grandfather is Daniel Milk son of Chief Good Cane Milk.

He was raised in Milk’s Camp community surviving through the Great Depression and World War II with his family. He attended Rosebud Boarding School in Mission, SD. He often shared the stories of those times and of the community. As a young man he would travel around South Dakota for work on farms.

Roger remained in the area until he moved to Chicago in the relocation program. While in Chicago he worked as a Journeyman and electrician. He also served as the president at the Chicago Indian Center.

He returned to the Winner area in the early 70’s. Upon his return he and Lavina King began their life together and were married Jan. 31, 1979. He cared for his family and was loved very much by his grandchildren and many young relatives. He spent many days advising them and writing letters to them. He enjoyed bowling in his younger years, in Chicago his team was the Southside Bombers.

In August of 2017, he received an honorary Doctorate Degree from Sinte Gleska for his lifelong work for the people and with our treaty. Roger served the people in many capacities. He was a life long member of Episcopal Church and a Lay reader; Roger was also a member of Brotherhood of  Christian Unity. His faith extended to our traditional ways, as he experienced the power of healing and prayers attending our ceremonies.

At the Sicangu Wicoti Awayankapi Corporation he was on the board of director and an employee for over 30 years; Roger served as advocate for people with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities at the Winner Community Connections; He was a member of the Sicangu Treaty Council serving for a time as their chairperson. Roger was on the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Council from 1979 through 1981; He was also an employee of the Rosebud Sioux Tribe.

Roger supported local Native students in the Winner school district and their rights as Natives and human beings. He was an active part in efforts to protector the land, water and people against environmental issues. Roger said “this is not just an Indian thing we all drink the same water”, attending meetings, events and hearings to do so.

Roger leaves behind his wife Lavina of over 40 years, children: Eric & Melissa Antoine, Gary & Jurgita Antoine, Paula Antoine, Jay and Nannette Antoine, Dennis and Nancy Mahto, grandchildren and great grandchildren. His sister Ruth Mason, Melda Rose and Ralph Wendell and Marisa, special great grandson Jacob Turney,  Grandchildren and great grandkids: Kaitlyn and Eric Antoine Jr., Louis and Leona Antoine,Lucas Crow Eagle, Louis “Misun” Antoine, Dustin Antoine, Steve Antoine and Isaac Antoine, Lisa Antoine and Jaliyah Kills In Water, Skylin Thin Elk, Medeina and Algirdas Antoine

Kelly Turney, Tracy Turney, Jacob, Julie and Jorden Turney, Sean and Rexton Kilborn, and Racheal Iron Heart, Richard Swan, Kayden, Kaylie and Leonidas, Carl John Healy Jr. and Anakin, Solomon Healy, Raylene Looking Horse, Chanteal Looking Horse, Samuel Antoine, Brennan and Gabrial, Jay Antoine Jr., Alyissa Reifel, Alysson Lucia “Sunny” and Douglas Jennings, Lucy Riefal, Kyan James and Nyjah Emili, Noland Mahto & Samantha Black Bull, Kaycen and Natalia, Jaz and Dayle Sanabria, and son Wyatt, Aaron Mahto, Joy Janis, and numerous nieces, nephews and grandchildren from the Milk Tiospaye.    At the time of his passing Wanbli Naji, Standing Eagle, Grandpa Bob was 86 years 10 months 30 days, his life touched so many and he will be missed and remembered for generations.