May 31, 1928 – November 28, 2020
On November 28, 2020, Leroy V. LaPlante, Sr. passed away peacefully at the age of 92 at the Avera Dougherty Hospice House in Sioux Falls. At his request, no wake services were held. Burial was at the LaPlante Family Cemetery at Eagle Butte.
Leroy was born on May 31, 1928 in White Horse to William Douglas and Mamie (Jewett) LaPlante. He attended Cheyenne River boarding school but did not graduate due to tuberculosis, of which he was cured through traditional medicine. Leroy later achieved his GED at the age of 63 to set an example for his children and grandchildren.
Leroy worked for local cattle ranches where he was regarded as an excellent wrangler and horseman. He enlisted in the U.S. Army in January of 1951 and was deployed to Korea, where he was wounded and received a Purple Heart.
While in the Army, he married his sweetheart, Delores “Toni” Meeter, on November 13, 1952. After being honorably discharged from the Army in January 1954, he returned to the Cheyenne River Reservation
Leroy became a born-again Christian in 1986 and was baptized at the First Baptist Church in Eagle Butte, where he remained a member until his death. He retired from the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a maintenance worker in 1988. He then worked for Takini School as supervisor of maintenance and retired for good in 1992.
In retirement he enjoyed his home north of Eagle Butte, where he spent time with Toni, their children, and grandkids.
A self-taught musician, Leroy loved to play guitar, mandolin, and fiddle and to sing country songs by Jimmie Rodgers, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Williams and others. He and Toni were both big fans of Fun Time and Molly B Polka on Saturday evenings.
Leroy enjoyed golf, was an avid bowler, and loved playing cards. He also loved fishing and hunting, especially “cat-fishing,” and hunting mushrooms in the trees along the Moreau River.
He told stories in English and in Lakota. He never had a grievance with anyone and treated everyone with respect. He was a good listener who chose his words carefully and was truthful, kind, and good. Leroy died as he had lived, at peace with God, himself and others.
Leroy was preceded in death by his wife of 67 years, Toni; his parents; brothers Richard, Loren, Ellsworth, Rupert, Bernard, and Jack; son Bernie; grandson Danny; granddaughter Kristi; and great-grandsons Cooper and Casimere.
He is survived by his brother Allen LaPlante; sisters Edie Knight, Luverne Cummings, and Rita Birkeland; children Diana, Gloria, Patsy, Cedar, Richard, and Leroy “JR”; many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren; and his house cat, Dude.