February25,1945–June5,2026___________________
Zane Arpan, 81, of Eagle Butte passed away Friday, June 5, 2026, at the Cheyenne River Health Center in Eagle Butte.
Funeral services were held June 16 at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Eagle Butte. Burial was at Black Hills National Cemetery at Sturgis.
Zane Stephen Arpan was born on February 25, 1945, in Isabel to Steven and Florence (Larrabee) Arpan. He joined his older brother, Ken, and sister, Alida.
Zane attended Brainerd Indian School and Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School, graduating in 1963. He attended Northern State College in Aberdeen. Joining the United States Army in 1965 brought about a change in his life. Zane served three tours in Vietnam from January 1966 through December 1968.
After returning home from military service, Zane married Mary Louise Dupris. Two sons, Ashley and Barry, were born to this union. He later remarried, and two more sons, Charles and Zane Lee, were born. He met Haroldine Hill, and they were married on January 11, 1991. Through this union, three additional children became part of his life: Randolph, Paula, and Carly. He also helped raise three of Haroldine’s granddaughters—Nicole, Candace, and Lily.
Around 2020, Zane received an unexpected phone call from a young man who had completed a DNA test. The young man had come from Vietnam with his mother. Through this discovery, Zane learned that he had another son, MyTran, who was welcomed into the family with open arms.
Following his military service, Zane became a man of many accomplishments. Alongside Keith Annis and Norman Schuler, he helped establish an ambulance service. In the early 1970s, Zane worked with the CRST Police Department as a police officer and later became Chief of Police. He also served as the tribe’s planning director, coordinating research, planning, and funding for numerous projects, including the sanitary landfill, outpatient clinic, indoor swimming pool, and many others.
He served as executive director of the Tri-County Water Association that benefited existing tribal housing, supported the development of new homes, and improved range management systems for both Indian and non-Indian ranchers.
In the early 1980s, Zane served as the administrative officer and executive planner for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. He later became superintendent for Arpan Construction, served on the bridge inspection team for Aaron Swan & Associates, and worked as general manager for CRST Trucking and Construction.
In 1990, Zane founded Lakota Improvement that employed many workers throughout the years. He became director of the CRST Transportation Department, a position he held until retiring.
In 2025, Zane was diagnosed with cancer. The disease eventually took much from him, but it never diminished the qualities that defined his life. He remained a man of enthusiasm, integrity, a strong work ethic, and an unwavering desire to learn. An avid reader, he loved researching and expanding his knowledge. Zane lived a long, productive, and fulfilling life with no regrets.
Zane is survived by his wife of 35 years, Haroldine; sons Ashley (Bonnie), Barry, Charles (Michelle), Zane Lee, Randolph (Jenny), and MyTran (Cindy); daughters Paula and Carly (Terry); grandchildren Sean, Charles, Aurora, Charlotte, Victoria, Nicole, Candace, Lily, Tiffany, Jazzlyn, Bobbijo, Randy Jr., Logan, and Lane; great-grandchildren Noah, Jada, Jordan, Niya, Skylar, Zane, Gracie, Freya, Maste, Zayden, and Lane; nieces Dawn and Darla Red Bear Bacon; nephew Damone; brother Kenneth; and a host of other relatives and friends.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.