Richard Bazil Rousseau 1961-2022
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Apr 12, 2022 | 9:41 AM / 885 views
Funeral service for Richard Bazile Rousseau, age 61, of Ridgeview, SD will be Friday April 15th at the Cheyenne Eagle Butte High School Auditorium in Eagle Butte, SD at 11:00AM MST. A meal will follow services at the Landmark Building located on Main Street in Eagle Butte, SD. Arrangements have been entrusted with Oster Funeral Home of Eagle Butte, SD.
Richard (Rick) Bazil Rousseau entered this world on March 24, 1961 to Theodore E. and Lehla (Wright) Rousseau. He was called home on the morning of April 9th, 2022.
Rick was 1 of 8 children and a lifelong resident of Ridgeview. He graduated from Cheyenne- Eagle Butte High School in 1979. Rick pursued and obtained his Degree in Diesel Mechanics at the Southeast Area Vocational Technical School. Rick was a service member in the Army National Guard from 1986 to 1992.
In 1989, he married the love of his life, Lynelle Whitebull. Two children were born this union, Veronica and Richard. In 1994, he started his own trucking/towing business which he continued to operate until his passing. Rick was well known in the communities and was always willing to lend a hand to anyone who needed help. He enjoyed visiting with people, helping Frank with morning chores, and having morning coffee with his family members. He was a man of many talents, a jack-of-all-trades, and incredibly mechanically inclined. There wasn’t much he couldn’t fix. He was an expert trucker and heavy equipment operator. You’d often find him hauling hay, cattle or gravel; fixing dams or vehicles; or helping his friends and neighbors in any way he could. He did whatever was needed and never quit until the job was done.
Rick was kind, generous, caring, compassionate, and loving to all those that he came to meet. He was always busy, visiting someone whether on the phone or in person, or helping others to fix things. Another passion of his was advocacy for the people. He loved being a CRST Tribal Council Representative. He took his position very seriously and worked tirelessly to be the voice for his district. He never shied away from voicing his concerns or opinions on important matters that affected the tribal membership.
One of Rick’s greatest joys was being a grandpa. He assumed the role of grandpa with absolute joy and with his entire heart. He would spend his mornings with his “papa’s girl” McKenna “Maste” and was ever-willing to watch Frozen multiple times a day (we are pretty sure he could sing all the songs). He would tell whoever he talked to all about her accomplishments (standing up, sitting up, and talking). He was always wanting to build things for the grandkids and did anything he could to make his grandchildren happy (including giving them whatever they wanted: chips, soda, and candy…you understand).
He could truly fix anything, except our broken hearts. He was deeply loved. We will forever miss him.
Rick survived by his wife, Lynelle Whitebull; Daughters: Jessica Rousseau (MN) , Rhonda Rousseau (MN), Sarah Miner(SD), Veronica (Chris) Todoroff (MT), Samantha White Bull (ND); Sons: Richard P (Daysha) Rousseau (SD), Martin Vagsaeter (Norway), Jesse (Tanika) White Bull (ND), Jimmy Jewett (SD); Grandchildren: Olivia, Lois, May’a, Mena, McKenna, Auset, Aleigh, Kaedynce, Baptiste, Kristopher, Constance, Erika, Daleynie, Joaquin, Angeline, Erika Whitebull, Jaxon, Jasanna, Merle “Bird” Capjohn-Wolf (hunka grandson); Siblings, Beth (Tom) Wilson, Patsy (Carl) Vaughn, Debbie (Chaunce) Johnson, Cyndi (Jerry) Fischer, Mike Rousseau, hunka brother Ben Elk Eagle (SD). He had many nieces and nephews, and many others who called him dad, uncle and grandpa.
He was preceded in death by his parents Theodore “Junior” and Lehla Rousseau; siblings Ronald and Bobbie Jo.