Vine Myron Drapeau Sr.

Vine Myron Drapeau Sr.

November 23, 1942 - Wednesday, September 14, 2016

Service Information

Eastman Hall-Flandreau, South Dakota

Monday, September 19, 2016

10:00 A.M.

Visitation Information

Eastman Hall-Flandreau, South Dakota

Thurs, Fri., Sat & Sun

beginning at 7:00 P.M.

Vine Myron Drapeau Sr., "Wawokiye Waste Wicasa" (God Helping Man), age 73, of Flandreau, South Dakota Journeyed to the Spirit World on Wednesday, September 14, 2016 at The Avera Hospital in Flandreau.

He was born on November 23rd, 1942 in Wagner, South Dakota the son of Joe & Mae (Redhawk) Drapeau.

Vine attended Rosebud Boarding School in Mission, South Dakota and graduated from High School at Flandreau Indian School. After High school he attended Bacone Junior College in Muskogee, Oklahoma and graduated from South Dakota State University in Brookings with a Bachelor of Science Degree in History and a minor in Indian Studies. He also went on to attain a Master's Degree at SDSU in Guidance and Counseling and worked as a counselor for juniors and seniors at The Flandreau Indian School.

Vine spent four years in the United States Air Force and received an honorable discharge. After the military he worked for the Western Electric Company in Sioux Falls for seven and a half years.

On August 17, 1968, Vine Myron Drapeau and Eloise Nadine Allen were joined in marriage.

Vine was employed for twenty one years as a counselor/teacher at the Flandreau Indian School. Helping young Native American students get their lives headed in the right direction was most rewarding to Vine.

He had lived in Flandreau, South Dakota for over thirty one years. He followed the Traditional Dakota way of life and has Sun Danced for the people. He worked for the Santee Indian Community for the Johnson O'Malley Program and on the Powwow Committee and tried to be of help to the Native American Community.

Survived by his wife: Eloise Drapeau of Flandreau, South Dakota; a son: Vine Drapeau Jr. and Lisa Jewett of Phoenix, Arizona and Brian Drapeau and Jessie Grant of Flandreau, South Dakota; three grandchildren: Brianna Drapeau of New Mexico, Devin Drapeau and Nadine Drapeau of Flandreau, South Dakota; two sisters: Vernell Wabasa and Goldie Lunsford; other relatives and friends.

Preceded in death by his daughter Marie Drapeau, his mother Mae Redhawk, father Joe Drapeau and by a brother Patrick Drapeau.

Funeral services for Vine Drapeau will be held on Monday, September 19th at 10:00 A.M. at the Eastman Hall in Flandreau, South Dakota. Pastor Dave Knudson will officiate. Traditional Spiritual Leader will be Richard Thomas and Ron Thomas.

Drum Group will be Mato Pejuta.

All night wakes will be held on Thursday, September 15th, Friday, September 16th, Saturday, September 17th and Sunday, September 18th beginning at 7:00 P.M. at the Eastman Hall in Flandreau, South Dakota.

Honorary Casket Bearers will be All Veterans and Youth.

Casket Bearers will be Brian Drapeau, Vine Drapeau Jr., Lucas Penney, Devin Drapeau, Santee Penney, Dusty Beaulieu, Nadine Drapeau and James Weston.