Darlene Rosas
April 29, 1945 ~ June 5, 2025
Darlene Rosas, 80, of LaPlant, passed away Thursday, June 5, 2025, at Cheyenne River Health Center, Eagle Butte.
Funeral services will be 10:00 a.m. MDT, Monday, June 16, 2025, at the Church of God, LaPlant. Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery, LaPlant.
Darlene was born on April 29, 1945, to Abraham and Ethel (Garfield) Lee. She attended Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School and later graduated from Flandreau Indian School.
Throughout her life, Darlene lived in several states, including Montana, Nebraska, Indiana, Minnesota, North Dakota, and Texas. During this time, she pursued her nursing career, working toward and obtaining her Licensed Practical Nurse (LPN) license. She worked as an LPN in Texas before returning to South Dakota, where she attended Si Tanka College in Eagle Butte and earned her Bachelor of Science degree.
Darlene furthered her education at Presentation College in Aberdeen, where she completed her Registered Nurse (R.N.) training. Her career took her to several hospitals, with her final place of employment being in Pierre, South Dakota. After retiring, she returned to the reservation.
Darlene married Abel Rosas, and together they adopted two children, Roxanne and Dion. She was a proud and loving grandmother to nine grandchildren: Deila, Matea, Frances, Dionne, Nevaeh, Naleah, Colette, Kobey, and Evan.
Darlene is survived by her two sisters, Barbara Roach and Delema Buther, as well as numerous nieces and nephews who cherished her deeply.
She was preceded in death by her parents; husband, Abel; two children, Roxanne and Dion; grandchild, Isaiah; two stillborn grandchildren; and five sisters.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with Darlene’s arrangements.
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Condolences to Darlene's grandchildren and extended families. Her outgoing personality, and optimism took her on journey away from reservation life for awhile. She returned and continue to make her mark, always concerned and cared for her people.