November 7, 1964 – September 17, 2022
Benjamin “Smokey” L. Ducheneaux, 57, of Swiftbird, entered the Spirit World on Thursday, September 15, 2022 at the Cheyenne River Health Center at Eagle Butte.
Funeral services were held Monday, September 26, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, with Deacon Iva Traversie, Shirley Dog Eagle and Valerie Curley officiating. Burial followed at St. Paul’s Episcopal Cemetery at LaPlant.
Benjamin “Smokey”Ducheneaux was born on November 7, 1964 to Joseph P. Ducheneaux Jr. and Verna A. Fielder in Eagle Butte. He was also raised by his maternal grandparents, Ruben “Buck” and Lorraine (Noisy Hawk) West. He attended schools in C-EB, Chicago, IL and Wakpala and graduated from Wakpala in 1982.
He attended Kicking Horse Job Corps in 1983-1984, 1985-1986 and Anaconda Job Corps graduating in Office Occupation/Computer Tech. He worked for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He loved writing poetry, listening to music, visiting family and friends, playing games, watching soap operas, and cooking. In his younger years he loved swimming, outdoor activities, baseball, pow wows and croquet. One of his proudest moments was when his daughter was born on June 12, 1986, and being a grandpa to numerous grandkids.
He is survived by his siblings Warren Ducheneaux (East End), Leo Ducheneaux (Jewel) of Eagle Butte, Marilyn (Luke) Eagleman of White Horse, Barbara Ducheneaux of Madison, Rebecca “Becky” Grey Bear of Fort Yates, ND, Nolan (Misti) and Stephen Clown of Rapid City, Kirby Clown of Eagle Butte, Debbie Painte and Dennis Painte of Porcupine, ND; uncle Steve (Norma) Ducheneaux; and six grandkids.
He is preceded in death by his parents Verna Fielder and Joseph Ducheneaux Jr.; grandparents Rebecca Hates Him, Joe Ducheneaux Sr., Lorraine Noisy Hawk, and Richard Fielder Jr.; daughter Brooke Ducheneaux; and brother Gilbert M. Ducheneaux.