Chauncey Red Elk

Chauncey R. Red Elk, 40, of Eagle Butte, entered the spirit world Tuesday, April 29, 2025, at Monument Health, Rapid City.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in St. Thomas Episcopal Cemetery, On The Tree. A wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, May 13, 2025, at the church with a procession from the 4-Mile at 4:00 p.m.

Chauncey Robert Red Elk ~ “Mahto Sake-Bear Claw” his Lakota name was given to him by his Lala Joe Blue Coat. On August 6, 1984 was born at the Old Indian Health Service hospital in Eagle Butte, SD to Patricia Red Fox & Richard Red Elk. Chauncey was baptized at St. Thomas Episcopal Church at On the Tree, SD.

Chauncey was welcomed by an older brother Peyton Lawrence Red Elk. Chaunce was a “nana boy” from the time of birth. Chaunce was very energetic with lots of love and hugs for everyone he met. Chaunce was a root’n toot’n cowboy since he was a little guy in diapers; he would go around with a string in one hand and a cat under his other arm. Most of the time you can find him under his mom’s T-shirt even after his sister Ashley was born, with just boots and diaper on. Chaunce nursed until he was a Kindergartner; as soon as he got off the bus, he got a swig and off he went playing.

Chaunce was boisterous and when he was giggling about something, that is when you would have to worry about what he was up to. Throughout his childhood he was very charismatic with anyone he met. He had the patience to listen to his friends and would try to fix whatever was going on.  Chunk was a great protector to all his childhood friends as well as his siblings. Grandpa Joe lived with the family at Chinatown Housing, that’s when Chaunce was given the nickname “Tuffy.” That name he held proud as young as he was; also, while living with the family is when Grandpa Joe taught Peyton and Chauncey to cut and break horses, which was a lesson that stayed with them throughout their adult lives.

He was an avid horseman and went on the “Si Tanka Ride” & “Unity Ride” in 2000; riding in freezing temperatures he went with The Healthy Nations Program. Chaunce was also active in Wrestling & Football at Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School. Chauncey graduated in 2003 from Cheyenne-Eagle Butte High School.

He met Toni Dupris out of High School and to this union, Liana Tade, Casten Wayne, and Tuffy Cain Red Elk were born.

In 2011 Chaunce was certified as a Tribal Monitor as a seasonal worker; for 7 years he worked for Vantage Point Solutions out of Mitchell, SD. Chaunce laid fiber optics throughout the communities on Cheyenne River Reservation. He also did various jobs throughout his life.

Every year during the CRST Fair & Rodeo, Big Chaunce and his brothers would work the stripping chutes at the rodeo grounds. He was either helping his family or friends with branding, cutting or training horses. Chaunce worked for various ranchers around the Cheyenne River reservation. Chaunce enjoyed shooting the breeze with family and friends.

He loved horses, and of course branding cows. A rancher once said, “those Red Elk boys are no match for a cow, they just knock’em down with ease and hang on.” The Red Elk boys would be mentioned about by ranchers, as they were dependable hard workers and always willing to help when called upon.

In 2022 Chaunce meet the love of his life, Julia Lawrence, who he considered his wife. Julia had become Chauncey’s caregiver up until the time of his passing. His family will forever be grateful for her taking care of him putting up with his orneriness and stubbornness.

Chauncey Robert Red Elk is survived by his children, Liana, Casten & Tuffy Red Elk; wife, Julia Lawrence; mom, Patricia Red Fox (Lloyd); dad, Richard Red Elk; siblings: Peyton (Donielle) Red Elk, Ashley (Joe Uses The Knife) Red Elk; Amber Red Elk; Severt Red Elk; grandma’s, Margie Clown, Elizabeth Bruguier; aunties: Reba (Tom) Three Legs,  Carrie & Carla Blue Coat, Iva Traversie, Faye Rousseau, Rita Elk Eagle, Veronica Holy, Frida Condon, Violet Catches, Martha Hernandez, Rilla Noisy Hawk, Clarice Lara, MaryAnn Red Fox, Candace High Elk, Gayle Dupris, Nancy Red Dog, Sylvia Picotte, Karen LeBeau, Inez Roether, Joyce Youngbird, Sandy Cook, Sheri & Laura Red Fox, Maryann Blue Coat;  uncles: Loren Anderson, Mark (Stacy) Red Fox,  Cleo Hale, Joe Circle Bear, Louie Johnson, Greg & Marty Thompson, Marvin, Merle, Sam High Elk, Ben Elk Eagle; cousins: Tyrone Anderson, Cate Brings Horse, Railin & Marita Noisy Hawk, Taylia (Jeome) Edmo, Marlee & Rowdy Red Fox, J’Lyn Red Fox, Dillion & Miranda Wagoneer, Murray Jr., Kody & Shanelle Red Fox, Chaske Red Fox, Dawn (Chopper) Bad Male, Benita (Effie) Elk Eagle, Clinton Holy, Jackie Buffalo, Randee Red Fox-Molash, CL Red Fox, Kim Shepherd, Ryan, Wyatt, Elliot, Ashley Blue Coat, Victoria Bruner, Gary Mound, Jarred & Kirby Blue Coat, Jimmi Guerrero, Kelsey & Martin Montreal, Frank Blue Coat, Thomas Three Legs Jr, Gage Jewett, Neil Blue Coat, Gavin Blue Coat, Kelly LaPlante, Lanny Horse With Horn, Leland Handboy, Sherri Red Elk, Donny Swan, Rhonda Rousseau, Lisa Rousseau, Elaine Rousseau, Frances Rousseau Jr., Larry Rousseau, Debbie Rousseau, Dana LaPlante, Lisa Marshall, Kristi Marshall, Ann Marie, William LaPlante, Emma LaPlante, Dakota LaPlante, and Jacob LaPlante; and many nieces and nephews whom he loved dearly.

Preceded in death by: brothers: Bennett Red Elk, Corey & Collins Holy, Joshua Guerrero, Alan Red Fox Jr.; special nephews: Richard “Huey” & Trenton Larrabee;  grandmothers: Alberta Hawk Eagle, Charlotte “Bea” Red Fox-Phillips, Vivian Traversie, Carol Ann Thompson, Rose Badhand, Irene Blue Coat, Ruby Reddog, Coramae Marshall; grandfathers: Steve Red Fox, Harry Red Fox, Elmer Traversie, Joseph Blue Coat, Robert Archie Blue Coat; aunties: Harriet Blue Coat, Mandi Sands, Barbara Blue Coat, Grace Kasto, Connie Bear Stops; uncles: E. Jay Red Fox, Murray Red Fox Sr., Marvin Holy, Ira Blue Coat, Junior Blue Coat, Lanny LaPlante Sr., Pierre Traversie, Orville Laplante, Harvey Hawk Eagle, Alan Red Fox Sr., Roland Miner, Mark High Elk; cousins: Naomi Kasto, Matthew Red Fox, Shayla Noisy Hawk, Robin Bad Male, Rocky Elk Eagle, PFC Sheldon Hawk Eagle, Karsten Buffalo, so many loved ones that have already passed on. May Chauncey be welcomed by our Tiwahe and Tiospayes.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Chauncey’s arrangements.