Austin Rave

Austin Jerald Rave, age 69 of Iron Lightning Community on the Cheyenne River Sioux Indian Reservation entered the Spirit World on December 21, 2015 in the Rapid City Regional Hospital following a brief illness.

Burial will be 2:00p.m. MST, Friday, January 15, 2016 at the Green Grass Cemetery, Green Grass, SD.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m, MST, Thursday, December 31, 2015 at St. John Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte with Mother Margaret Watson presiding. An all night wake service began at  7:00 p.m., Wednesday, December 30, 2015 at the church with a procession from the 4-miles at 4:00 p.m.

Austin was born on August 5, 1946 to Curtis and Helene Dupris Rave. He was born on the Poor Buffalo Home Place along the Moreau River in Dewey County. He was the baby brother of Merle (Bayless), Fifi Marie (Clausen) and Curtis Popsie. His relationship with his Mother was mutual devotion and respect; she recognized his artistic characteristics at an early age and encouraged him to develop his talent. An artist herself, she shared his interests and was proud of his accomplishments.

One of the blessings that the Poor Buffalo grandchildren received was being raised under the loving and watchful eyes of their Grandmothers (Unci, Eliza, Sarah and Mable). There was a total of 37 Poor Buffalo Grandchildren. We did not know that the outside world considered us cousins because we were raised as equals – brothers and sisters. The older ones were responsible for the younger ones and the younger ones followed the older ones. The Grandmothers instilled an unbreakable bond of respect and loyalty to family that is being carried on three generations later. Throughout Austin’s life he maintained his relationships with his siblings/cousins; it is these relationships that keeps us connected to our mothers, fathers, grandmothers and grandfathers. Austin honored his grandmothers by being a good Lakota relative to young and old.

Education is a lifelong adventure of which Austin embraced. He was a Cheyenne-Eagle Butte Brave graduating high school in 1964. He graduated from the Santa Fe Institute of Art and later he graduated from an Engineer Drafting School in San Francisco.   He gained respect for his drafting skills and was known for his precise finished product. He was employed by companies that built the Alaskan Pipeline and Native American owned Architectural/Engineering Firms (Aaron Swan and Deegan Architects). One project that Austin was particularly proud of was the Four Winds School on the Ft. Totten Reservation; this was the first of its kind that incorporated Native American design features. His employment at the Cheyenne River Housing Authority earned him a reputation for a tough Project Inspector who wasn’t afraid to reject inferior work.

Austin excelled at hunting; always looking for a challenge he soon mastered archery. Typical of a Poor Buffalo grandchild he loved horses and appreciated a working man’s horse. Another trait Grandma Mable passed on to us was the love of reading; Austin was a lifelong reader and conversations with him were filled with tidbits of his newfound knowledge.

His artwork is captivating, both canvas and sculpture. Known simply as Rave in the art world his pieces have been displayed at the Smithsonian and in European galleries. Austin was one of the first Native American artists who developed contemporary design into his pieces his use of vivid colors is a trademark. In September he achieved another personal goal – gaining a coveted booth at the 2015 Santa Fe Native American Art Show. His children shared in this accomplishment and recognized their father’s talent and mutual respect among other artists.

Austin was most proud of his children and grandchildren. He, like his mother and grandmothers, devoted himself to being a supportive caregiver. His marriage to Theda LeBeau produced two daughters Kimberly and Pierette. His son Marshall was born during his marriage to Carole Little Wounded. His children presented him with 9 grandchildren and 2 great-grandchildren. He followed their activities and took great pleasure in sharing their many accomplishments.

Austin journeyed home to Cheyenne River in October and made his last round of visiting his relatives. He shall be remembered for his many accomplishments and his love for his children and grandchildren. We look forward to the day that we are reunited with his trademark greeting of “Howdy Howdy”.

Austin is survived by his children Kimberly Rave and her children Jacque (Jacob), Hoss, Erin and grandson Jayce; Pierette Rave and her children Cory, Kilby, Wakinyan Hihanni Win, Zintkala To Win, Spirit and grandson Percy, and Marshall Rave and his son, Cincere.   Also surviving are the mothers of his children Theda and Carole; his brother Curtis Popsie Rave and his Poor Buffalo brothers and sisters and their families.

He is preceded in death by his infant son Forrest Rave, sisters Merle and Marie Fifi, his parents Helene and Curtis, Aunts Aurelia, Eunice, Marie, and Alberta, Uncles Wilmar and Wilbur and loving grandmothers.

Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Austin’s arrangements.