Whitney Allen Rencountre

Sep 03, 20120

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Whitney Allen Rencountre “Tatanka Najin, age 81, of Fort Thompson, South Dakota Journeyed to the Spirit World on Tuesday, August 28th, 2012 at his home with his loving family at his side. He was born on May 14, 1931 in Fort Thompson, South Dakota the son of Bert & Margaret Noble Rencountre.

Whitney grew up in the Sisseton and Fort Thompson, South Dakota area. He graduated from Stephan Immaculate.

On August 31, 1950, Whitney Allen Rencountre & Thelma Rachel Black Tongue were joined in marriage in Chamberlain, South Dakota. Whitney’s first job was at The St. Charles Hotel in Pierre, South Dakota at the age of thirteen. He was also a Heavy Equipment Operator, Police Officer, Semi Driver, CCST Council Member, Brick Layer, started a grocery store at Old Wicks Place, he was also in the junking business all of his life. He and his son Allen started their own trade called Allen’s Auto Salvage where he worked till the end days. He belonged to Hunkpati Oyate Singers with Dan & Chapelle Fire Cloud, Mike Bagola, Jimmy Blue, Whitney II & Virgil Williams would help sing and the organizations he was involved in were Louis C. Fogg Jr. Legion, American Legion, Crow Creek Historical Society. His special interests were family, living a traditional way of life, his eyes would twinkle and his face would light up with a huge smile when he watched his grandchildren and great grandchildren sing and dance at Powwows. He loved to sing with his Drum Group called “Hunkpati Oyate” and danced Grassdance and traditional. He grew up on The Sisseton Reservation from around 3-6 years and his special childhood friend was Hepana Canku. He was enrolled at Sisseton then later at Crow Creek Sioux Tribe.

He entered the United States Army with his KODA cousin Flip Fogg and was in the Korean War and was a Sergeant when he was discharged. His special buddy ther was Robert Sowzer from New York. He taught his grandsons and Malerine Fisher’s sons to sing Dakota. Whitney built his own home for his family in the 1970’s. He hunted and fished for his children all of his life.

Survived by a son: Allen Wayne Rencountre of Fort Thompson, South Dakota; daughters: Belinda Fay Joe of Rapid City, South Dakota, Lana & Robert Drapeau of Fort Thompson, South Dakota, Debra & Frank Attikai of Fort Thompson, South Dakota, Mona Rencountre & Mitch Franklin of Fort Thompson, South Dakota, Ella Rencountre of Fort Thompson, South Dakota, Kathy Rencountre of Fort Thompson, South Dakota, Blossom Eare of Rapid City, South Dakota and Gina Howe of Fort Thompson, South Dakota; sisters: Althea Westerman of Sioux Falls, South Dakota, Ethelrita Bad Moccasin of Fort Thompson, South Dakota and Kathleen Pomani of Fort Thompson, South Dakota; grandchildren: Allen, Faylita, Chris, Bobbie, Marissa, Dena, Alana, Cinnamon, Louis, Bonnie, Cole, Caleb, Whitney, Tashina, Rachelle, Uriah, Maurice, Dustin, Tukiha, Devon, Vallie, Jerome, Burton and Thelma; great grandchildren: Kiya, Cante, J’von, Jeremiah, Joreese, Katie, Jayton, Denver, Karin, Mary, Anthony, Wyatt, Darrian, Justin, Misha, Tatiyana, Tayvon, Shiloh, Shykira, Shyanna, Whitney, Louis Jr., Jaylee, Sophia, Sadie, Rachel, Laveah, Keahnn, Ramon, Reese, Dallas, Maliah, Maya, Jarius, Delondra, Julian, Dustilyn, Jayla, Kingston, Liliana, Danny Jr. Hector Jr., Burton Jr. and Frankie, Meriah, J’King and Drakelyn; other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his wife: Thelma; his parents, sons: Allen & Joshua Rencountre, grandchildren: Justin Drapeau, Stella Spider, Perry Heminger Jr and Rachel Rencountre, great grandchildren: Bishop Sazue, Richard Pease Jr. and Jalayla Hawk and by five brothers and a sister.

Funeral service for Whitney Allen Rencountre will be held on Saturday, September 1, 2012 at 11:00 A.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Thompson, South Dakota. Father Joseph Dean, SCJ, Galen Drapeau Jr. and Arvol Looking Horse will officiate. Interment will follow at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Stephan, South Dakota.

All night wakes were held on Thursday, August 30th beginning at 7:00 P.M. and will be held on Friday, August 31th at 7:00 P.M. beginning at 7:00 P.M. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in Fort Thompson, South Dakota.

Honorary Casket Bearers:

Robert Ellsworth Dennis Bloomenrader

Marty Makes Room For Them

Jerry Dearly Donald McGhee

Delbert Mann Michael Jandreau

Douglas Rencountre II

Delbert Hopkins Jr.

Robert Drapeau Everette Harrison

Alex Tommy Fogg Frank Attikai

LeRoy Rencountre Gayle Rencountre

Emery Flute Solon Hopkins Sr.

Andrew Gray Jonas Gray