Roger Sylvan Bissonette, age 81 of Sisseton, South Dakota made heaven his home on Sunday, September 22, 2024 at Prairie Lake Hospital in Watertown, South Dakota. He was born on December 17, 1942 in Manderson, South Dakota the son of Eddie Bissonette and Angeline “Maggie” Brave. Roger loved traveling for the Lord. He was a full-time evangelist in the ministry for 53 years for the Body of Christ. He traveled with his wife Loretta and his son Ricky and daughter Tammy and his 3 grandchildren Mercedes, Lexus and Daltyn. He was a guitarist, song leader and preached the word of God. He taught his children to sing and play instruments. They became his Gospel Band. He enjoyed traveling to camp meetings and revivals throughout the United States and Canada. He was ordained in ministry under Martha Black Feather in Wolf Creek, SD. Later on in his years, he was ordained again under Tony American Horse Sr., Temple of Praise, Cannon Ball, SD. Roger was always studying the word of God and praying with and for his family and grandchildren.
He liked to ride horses with his sons and nephew: Brian Rowland. He trained his son Roy Crazy Bull and others in Boxing. Traveled to various places to attend the matches. He traveled to Crow Agency, MT to brand cattle with his adopted brother in ministry Larry Little Owl Sr. and the Little Owl family. Roger loved playing the guitar and singing. He enjoyed playing Wist with his family during family get togethers and playing Solitaire on his iPad. He was a huge Vikings fan. He liked family cook outs, horse shoes, fishing, hunting, joking around with his children and grandchildren, most of all he loved his family, he would do anything for his children and grandchildren, even though it was his last.
Roger held many jobs throughout his life, a ranch hand, Police officer, road construction driving gravel, end dump, earth movers, transportation driver for the clinic, custodian boss, worked in the Sugar factory with his son Roger Jr., both as a supervisor, CDL bus driver, then having to retire because of health issues. He was a kind, humble, husband, dad and grandfather! He was an enrolled member of the Oglala Sioux Tribe from the Pine Ridge Reservation.
Roger is survived by his loving wife: Loretta Bissonette; children: Ronnie (Jenny) Bissonette, Ricky Bissonette, Tammy Bissonette, Cheryl Owen (Jody), Roy Crazy Bull, Bonnie Molina and Raphael Blue Dog; 29 grandchildren, 55 great grandchildren and 3 great great grandchildren; adopted sons; Mark New Holy, Brian Shawn Rowland, Franklin Jefferson; adopted daughter: Verdillia American Horse; adopted sister: Melda Eagle and Joyce Going; grandchildren he raised: Lexus Iron Road, Mercedes Iron Road, Daltyn Black Elk, Angel Grisham and 2 great grandchildren; many other loving relatives and friends.
Preceded in death by his son: Roger (RJ) Bissonette Jr.; daughter: Mercedes L Bissonette; grandchildren: Michael One Horn, Konrad, DJ Iron Horse, Jesse & Jolene Patton; sisters: Wilma Campbell and Elfreda Twiss; brothers: Al Black Tail Deer, Seth Bissonette Sr., and Rudolph Bissonette Sr.; adopted son: Emmanuel Old Lodge; adopted brother: Larry Little Owl Sr.
All-night visitations will be held on Wednesday, October 2, 2024 and Thursday, October 3, 2024 beginning at 7:00 P.M. at the Makasan (Grey Eagle) Presbyterian Church in Oglala, South Dakota.
A funeral service for Roger Sylvan Bissonette Sr. will be held on Friday, October 4, 2024 at 2:00 P.M. at the Makasan (Grey Eagle) Presbyterian Church in Oglala, South Dakota.
Officiating will be John Two bulls and Cyrus Black Elk.
Special Music: Farewell Party (Cyrus Black Elk and Tammy Bissonette)
Head Pallbearers: Ricky and Ronnie Bissonette
Honorary Pallbearers: Joyce Goings and family, Chase Alone family, Brave family, Jumping Eagle family, Alex White Plum, Audrey Martinez and family, Lexie Shield and family, Sharpfish family, Red Cloud family, Cyrus Black Elk and family, Franklin Jefferson and family, Two Bulls family, Little Owl family, Old Lodge, Jody Owen, Bearstail family, Muretta Anderson and family, White Face family, Anabelle Weston and family, Jenny Robertson and family, Darla Black, Bill Quijas, Cadotte family, Joaan Circle Bear, Valden Black Tail Deer family, Follett family, Loveletta Iron Horse and family, Dora Good Plum, James Fast Horse and family, Condon family, All Musicians including all Bissonette family, friends and relatives.
Pallbearers: Jeffery Grisham, Roger Bissonette III, Chastin Bissonette, Sebatian Bissonette, Mark New Holy, Lonnie Mesteth, Daltyn Black Elk, Brian Shawn Roland, Christian Bissonette
Interment: House of Jacob Cemetery, Wolf Creek, South Dakota.
The Chilson Funeral Home assisted the family with funeral arrangements. On-line condolences can be directed to www.chilsonfuneralhome.com