Funeral services for 63-year old Verlon LeBeau are Sat, July 30, 2022 at 1:00 at the T&T Center in Wanblee, SD, with Standing Rock Lay Readers and Lay Minister Rita Brown officiating and traditional Lakota services by Russell Eagle Bear and Dicky Moves Camp.
Burial is at the Quiver Family Cemetery in Wanblee
A two-night wake service begins Thurs, July 28, at 5:00 CT at the Wakpala Community Center in Wakpala, SD. The second night starts Friday at 4:00 MT at the T&T Center in Wanblee
Verlon Wade LeBeau was born on October 25, 1958 to Anita Meeter and Walter LeBeau at the Old Cheyenne River Old Agency Hospital in South Dakota. Verlon made his journey to the Spirit World on July 23, 2022 at his home in Wanblee, SD.
Verlon was the 7th child of 9 children and grew up near the Moreau River, also known as the Blackfoot, for 3 years. He was then placed with his maternal grandparents, Louis & Esther (No Heart) Meeter, in Wakpala, where he was raised until he turned 18 years old.
Verlon went to and graduated from the Wakpala Public School United. While in high school, he played basketball and was a very excellent player.
After graduation, he went to Custer, SD, where he met Glenda Taylor. They married on April 9, 1979, and to this union were born his children: Angel, Michael, and Mallory.
Together they made their home in Rapid City, SD, where Verlon became the first Native American to be a part of the Rapid City Fire Department.
Verlon later moved to Lawrence, KS, to attend Haskell College in 1980 and 1981. After that, he moved to Dallas, TX, Independence, MO, Mobridge, SD, Aberdeen, SD, and then back to Rapid City.
Verlon and Glenda were divorced in 1996 and after he moved back to Rapid City, Verlon met Kathy Glenn and they made their home together in Wanblee.
Between them, Verlon and Kathy had a total of 12 children, 36 grandchildren, and 20 great-grandchildren along plus his beloved pets – his cat Bob and dog Puppy. Verlon absolutely loved all his children and grandchildren, and they adored him in return.
Verlon, Kathy, and all of the family loved to go fishing, swimming, hunting, dig timpsila, and garden together. Verlon was a great cook and loved cooking for his family.
Verlon is survived by his children: Angel (Doug), Jennings, Melanie (Ferrell) Carrington, Michael LeBeau, Krystal Merrival-LeBeau, Betty (James) Sierra, Delores Merrival, Patricia A. Merrival, Lisa Hawk Wing, James Glenn, Simon Glenn, David Hawk Wing, and Amber Rogers; sister Carmen Cutt; brother Elroy (Irene Randall) LeBeau; aunt Rebecca Left Hand; and other relatives on the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Reservations too numerous to name.
Verlon was preceded in death by his parents Anita and Walter LeBeau; siblings Francis Walter, Loren Dallas, Wilma, & Wilmer, Cedrio (Ricky), and Mary Lou LeBeau; maternal grandparents Esther (No Heart) and Louis Meeter; paternal grandparents Amy (Swift Bird) and James LeBeau; aunts Shirley and Mary Lou Meeter; uncle Frank James Meeter; and many many aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Pallbearers will be James Glenn, James Sierra Jr, Bobby Howe, Simon Glenn, Todd Randall, and J-R Bettelyoun.
Honorary pallbearers will be Verlon’s basketball team from Wakpala: Manual Penny, Tony Cadotte, Myron Oka, George Howard, Eugene LaFromboise, Tony LaFromboise, Jerome Howard, Jr., Chandler Eagle, Richard Hanley, and as well as All Friends, Smokers, and Family.
Arrangements entrusted with Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD