Colette Ganje
April 9, 1948 ~ April 12, 2019
Colette Ganje, 71, of Rapid City and formerly of Eagle Butte, passed away Friday, April 12, 2019 at Fountain Springs Hospice, Rapid City.
Funeral Mass were held 10:30 a.m. MDT, Tuesday, April 23, 2019, at All Saints Catholic Church, Eagle Butte. Burial was held at the Eagle Butte Cemetery. A scripture and rosary service was held at 7:00 p.m., Monday, April 22, 2019 at the church, with visitation two-hours prior.
Colette Norma (Opp) Ganje was born April 9, 1948 in Mobridge, SD to Norman and Ione (Rivers) Opp.
Colette grew up on a ranch in Armstrong County, south of Ridgeview, SD. She was proud to be raised as a ranch girl and loved to share stories with her children and grandchildren of her adventures and experiences. She attended grade school in Timber Lake, SD through 3rd grade. Colette finished her elementary school years at the Cheyenne Agency Boarding School and attended Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School, where she lived in the dorms, graduating in 1966.
She married her high school sweetheart, David Ganje, on August 6, 1966. The couple moved to Minneapolis, MN where Colette attended the Minnesota Business School. David became a pilot and flight instructor. The couple made their home in various South Dakota communities where opportunities took them. David passed away in 1977.
Colette and David had three children, Deneen Marie, Lisa Colette and Michael David. Colette’s daughter Tracie Ione was born during her second marriage to Vince Maher.
Vince also had three children, Michael, Troy and Jill, whom Colette loved and helped to raise.
Colette went on to earn a degree from Black Hill State University in Spearfish, SD and later began her career as a paralegal with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Housing Authority where she worked for 14 years before retiring to Rapid City. She always enjoyed socializing with friends and colleagues.
Colette was also a part of several organizations, giving her time and talent to many programs and events over the years. She was a devout member of the Catholic Church, serving in many capacities at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Mobridge, SD and at All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte, SD. For 10 years, she was involved in Missouri Showboat Community Theatre organization in Mobridge, SD, where she was an actor, producer, director, and served on the Board of Directors.
Her grandchildren were a great source of joy to her. She enjoyed sharing her favorite jokes and quirky stories with them. She spent her time attending their school plays, sports, music concerts, and taking great interest in every aspect of their lives. Colette had a special gift for making others feel welcome and important. Her kindness and generosity for others were evident to all who had the pleasure of meeting her.
Colette is survived by daughters Deneen (Carson) Redd and their children, Staci, Christopher, Robert, Justin and Josiah, Spearfish, SD; Lisa (Gary) Nelson and their children, Nicholas and Abigail, Newell, SD; Tracie (Shane) Clark and their children, Alexander, Ada, and Laila, Rapid City, SD; and son Michael Ganje and his children, Rhondee, Breezee, Ryan, Ashley and Ashten, Eagle Butte, SD.; one great-granddaughter; sisters, Tina (Bob) Clement, Ridgeview, SD and Marie Long, Pierre, SD; sisters-in-law Lucy (Sharon Carson) Ganje, Grand Forks, ND; Francie Ganje, Sturgis, SD; and Sheila Ganje, Eagle Butte SD.
She was preceded in death by her husband, David; her parents, Norman and Ione; a brother, August; sister, Iona; stepson, Troy; and adopted grandson, Anthony.
The family extends a thank you to the staff at Fountain Springs Healthcare Center, Rapid City, SD for their thoughtful care and support.
In lieu of flowers, a memorial fund in Colette’s memory has been established at the State Bank of Eagle Butte to support local community and tribal organizations.
Luce Funeral Chapel of Eagle Butte has been entrusted with Colette’s arrangements.
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Dear Marie and Tina and extended family. I wish you peace and comfort in these days. Colette always had kind and funny memories and stories she would share and laugh over. I always loved those stories. And she was always so proud of all the many nephew, nieces, cousins and grandkids from her large, extended family tree. Thank you for sharing such an amazing woman with the rest of us. I was so blessed with her in my life. Francie
I AM SENDING MY LOVE AND CONDOLENCES TO COLETTE’S FAMILY AND CHILDREN, SHE WAS SOOOO KIND TO ME, I AM THANKFUL FOR BEING MY RELATIVE. I AM PRAYING FOR HER HAPPINESS WITH GOD, WITH LOVE-FROM MARIA PROVOST
I am so worry for the loss of yet another cousin. I still remember the families all getting together for Aunt Mary Jane’s first wedding where you were the flower girl. I just loved your dress! I remember thinking how beautiful you looked.
My sincere condolences to Colette’s family and friends and I know she will be missed.
My thoughts and prayers are with the family at such a difficult time. Colette and I were classmates at CEB. We had some good times and lots of laughs. She was serious but her humor was never forgotten. We did not see each other often but our friendship remained. May she Rest In Peace.
I met Colette when we lived in Mobridge… shared many cups of coffee while our kids were young. She’ll be missed by many. Prayers to her family.
Prayers to her family and for Colette. She is a beautiful woman with a loving heart. She most definitely is one of the most beautiful, amazing, loving woman I have ever met. I’m very great full for being a part of her life and taking my children as her own grandchildren. My children love her and always wanted to be around their "grandma Colette" and "Toby" the dog. She will be greatly missed and I’m very glad I got to know her and be a part of her life.
Heaven just received another angel and she and David are now reunited. My sincere condolences are extended to the Opp and Ganje families.
Colette will remain forever in our Hearts!!! A true loss to the world! She was amazing and loved everyone! I will never forget the time when We Lived in Sioux City Iowa and she brought my mom down for the Josh Groban concert and Spent Easter with Us. A truly amazing woman!!! I am at a loss…Love you Aunt Colette and sure wish I could be home to wish you and fond farewll!! LOVE YOU!!! Best wishes to all suffering at this time!
My heart hurts for you. You are in my thoughts and prayers. Your mom really was a genuinely kind and giving woman—funny and sweet with a great big heart. Look what she passed on to each of you. ❤️
Collette sitting here after hearing the news of Lusa and finally decided to tell you how often I think of all the great times we had at the farm, at the drive inn in Gettysburg and getting together throughout the years. I miss you and I always will. I love you still. You were such a sweet soul.