Lavinia Eagle Chasing

Lavinia Eagle Chasing, 68, Eagle Butte, died Tuesday, December 15, at Rapid City Regional Hospital.

Funeral services were held at 11:00 a.m. MST, Wednesday, December 23, 2015 at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte with Mother Margaret Watson presiding. Burial followed in St. Andrew’s Episcopal Cemetery, Cherry Creek. A wake service began at 7:00 p.m., Tuesday, December 22, at the church, with a procession from the 4 mile at 4:00 p.m.

Lavinia Margaret Eagle Chasing was born August 29, 1947 in Cherry Creek, SD to Margaret Eagle Chasing and Robert Clifford Hale. She spent her early years in Cherry Creek where she went to school. Later she attended C-EB High School in Eagle Butte, graduating in 1966. She went on to attend SIPI College in Albuquerque, New Mexico, receiving her certificate for accounting.

Lavinia worked for CRST Tribal accounting office and CR Housing Authority in accounting.

Her main focus would always be her takoja’s, she always encouraged them to stay in school, finish and reach their goals and dreams.

Lavinia was a strong mentor to all, young and old friends and relatives for years; she shared much knowledge to make sure they all knew who they were and where they came from. Her way of teaching the Lakota language was always interesting and it stuck to those who paid attention and it would always be the takoja’s. She always stuck by family and friends, but she was more of a strong supporter of any family or friend event. She attended church on a regular Sunday, attended church happenings, sun dances as we all pray to one God, “she said so”. She loved to play bingo, go to casinos, attend pow-wow’s, or any outing. She would always take time to attend with her takoja’s. You could always catch her on the phone checking on all relatives and friends; making sure everyone was safe, fed and had a place to stay. She always said, “Always check in with me and let me know where you are.” One day Maxine the oldest daughter asked her “mom, do you have a Lakota name?” She replied, no. So Maxine went and planned and brought friends and relatives together as this was something that should’ve been done long ago. She received the name, “Takes care of her family” Although she was legally blind, she knew all by the sounds of their voice, and knew her way around her own home. Lavinia, grandma, mom, auntie, sister and cousin will be greatly missed by all hearts she touched.

She is survived by her children: Maxine Flying By, Marsha Eagle Chasing, Sarah, Elizabeth, Posey and Mark Garter; her grandchildren: Myron, Ronald Jr., Marvin, John Jordan Noisy Hawk, LaDella Lee, Westley Redday, Taten & Taryn Ducheneaux, Skyler Garter, Kyleigh Rayne, Danielle, Deacon and Dre’den Garter; great grandchildren: Jac’lyn Noisy Hawk, Wakiyan & Gabriel Redday, Aiden Allen Ducheneaux, Leah Louis Red Dog, Kaiden Ducheneaux and Dominic Curley; her sisters: Pauline A Eagle Chasing, Carmalita Eagle Chasing, Delvinia Morrison, Martha Hale, Connie Bear Stops, and Pat Red Fox; brothers: Herbert & Cleo Hale; adopted brother, Daniel Afraid of Hawk Sr., Wilbur Between Lodges, Robert Tiger, Buddy Colombe Sr., and Bob Walters; adopted children: Latonne, Romey, JoLavae & EJ Gunville, Chris Mexican, Tyrell Garreau Sr, Dennis “Jeebs” Sands Jr., Patrick Eagle Staff, Alvin Rivers Jr. and Norman Walking Elk, Jr.

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