Romey A. Garreau

June 15, 1937 – April 28, 2024

Romey A. Garreau, 86, of Eagle Butte, passed away Sunday, April 28, 2024, at his home in Eagle Butte just like he wanted.

Funeral services were held Friday, May 3, 2024, at CRST Bingo Hall in Eagle Butte. Burial was at Mossman Cemetery at Ridgeview.

Romey August Garreaux was born on June 15, 1937, in Gettysburg to Gilbert Sr. and Delphine (Hennessy) Garreaux. He grew up north of Ridgeview and attended school at the Old Agency through the 8th grade. He lost his father in 1946 when he was only 10 years old. After he finished school, he worked for area ranchers. At 17 years old, he got his mom to sign his papers allowing him to join the U.S. Marine Corps. He served three years at Camp Pendleton, CA as a Combat Engineer, earning the National Defense Service Medal.

After the service he returned to the area and became a ranch hand to many local ranchers. Soon after he returned to Cheyenne River, his mother passed away in 1959, when he was 22.

In 1960, he married Mary Jo Nordvold and to this union were born Fay Allen “Chug,” Delphine Renelle, Kelly Jean, Tracy Lee, Romey Jo, Martha Raye, Jeri Jewel and Sydney Gilbert.

He worked for the Mortenson family for many years, living down by Foster Bay and again on Highway 63. He also worked at the Tribe’s Beef Camp where he moved his family once again. He eventually had his own range unit and ran cattle for many years.

Romey was a champion bull rider, steer wrestler and old men’s breakaway roper. He worked with a road crew flagging and driving a pilot car. Poker became his favorite pastime and he won some tournaments. He loved gambling and would hitch rides every now and then so he could go hit the slot machines and buy his lottery tickets.

He volunteered at The Main and Cheyenne River Youth Project from 2002 through 2015 as the gardener, and as security officer and chief coffee maker. After he retired from volunteering, he spent his mornings at the Lakota Thrifty Mart where he would walk over from his home and have his coffee and donut and visit.

In honor of his many contributions to the community over his life and his staunch support of tribal sovereignty, the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe declared September 1, 2006, Romey Garreaux Day.

Romey is survived by sons: Chug (Karen) and Sydney (Lacey); daughters: Delphine, Tracy and Martha (Dustin); sisters: Shirley (Jay) Christensen and Malinda Means; 25 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; five great-great-grandchildren; many nieces and nephews; and those that called him Uncle or Grampa Romey.

Romey was preceded in death by his parents, Gilbert and Delphine; daughters Kelly, Romey Jo and Jeri Jewel; one grandson, Dace; one greatgranddaughter, Christian; brothers: Grant, Frank, Melvin, Manson, Alphonso, Gilbert Jr., Tracy, Gibson Garreaux, and Harold “Peaches” Lee; and sisters: Margaret McLemore, Verna LeCompte, Alphonsine Simpson, Serena Garreau, and Faye Walters.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.