A Celebration of Life for 72-year old Dana Hanna will be held at a later time, likely early next April.
Memorials to “The Innocence Project” at 40 Worth St, Suite 701, New York, NY, 10013, which will continue Dana’s desire to champion the underdog, the underserved, and the forgotten.
Sympathy cards for the family may be sent to: Iris Dillon & Daughters at 512 Topaz Lane, Rapid City, SD 57701
Online condolences may be left at siouxfuneralhome.com
Dana LaRue Hanna was born on Dec 20th, 1950, in York, NE to Leslie Dale Hanna and Donabelle (Garner) Hanna. Dana made his journey on Nov 11th, 2023, in Rapid City, SD, after a recent illness.
Dana graduated from York High School in 1969, the University of Colorado in 1974, and the University of Nebraska College of Law in 1977.
After serving as the Custer County Attorney in Broken Bow, NE, he moved to New York City and practiced criminal defense for 15 years.
Dana then moved to South Dakota to work for the Rosebud Sioux Tribe, spending 5 years as Public Defender and 5 years as Tribal Attorney General. He completed his legal career in private practice in Rapid City from 2007 to the date of his death.
In Rapid City, Dana successfully defended criminal cases in both Federal and State courts, handled ICWA cases for 4 SD Sioux Tribes, and pursued civil rights protections of children harmed by the actions and inactions of school districts.
Renowned for his exceptional skills as a trial lawyer, Dana’s unwavering commitment to justice and his indomitable spirit made him a formidable force in the legal arena.
Colleagues, opponents, and clients alike regarded Dana as a legal titan who approached each case with unparalleled dedication and skill.
Dana will leave a legacy through the cases he championed, the lives he touched, and the principles of justice he upheld. Dana was a member of the state bar associations in South Dakota, Nebraska and New York.
He had a great love of books, traveling, gourmet restaurants, a fine cigar paired with scotch whiskey and great conversations with close friends. He studied the Koran and taught himself Spanish and Italian.
Dana Hanna leaves behind the love of his life Iris Dillon; daughters Aleesia and Alayna of Rapid City; brothers David B (Lucie), and Douglas D (Linda), both of Lincoln, NE; Derk D (Gina) of Platte City, MO, and Ron Skaden (Barbara) of York, NE;
Dana also leaves behind his Hunka son Kody Horned Antelope; and his devoted paralegal Diana LaMunyon as well as countless loyal friends.
Honorary pallbearers will be All Friends & Relatives.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD