D’Lani M. LeCompte, 29, of Eagle Butte, passed away Thursday, January 13, 2022, at Monument Health, Rapid City.

Funeral services will be 11:00 a.m. MST, Thursday, January 27, 2022, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte. Burial will follow in LaPlant Congregational Cemetery, LaPlant, SD. A wake service will be held from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 26, 2022, at the church with a procession from the 4-mile at 4:00 p.m.

D’Lani Marie LeCompte was born on October 3, 1992, at 9:35 a.m. to Gayle A. Lofton- LeCompte and PFC Richard G. LeCompte at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre, SD. She was the baby of the family, so as I sit here and attempt to write my baby girl’s obituary for what seems like the 1000th time, the reality of her death starts to hit me and I shut down. You see D’Lani wasn’t just my daughter she was my baby. The youngest of four children, you would often see her tagging along with her older siblings, making friends and relatives for that matter and if she called you her auntie, uncle, or cousin when she was five, you can guarantee you were her relatives for life.  Maybe she was an old soul or an angel in disguise because she loved life, music, dance and family. From the time she could walk and talk she would dance and sing, as a matter of fact I don’t think she ever missed a youth DJ dance or dance contest when she was younger. She had a charisma about her and a smile that would light up a room, fearless and that often got her in trouble but it also made her confident enough to play basketball, box, sing like nobody was listening and dance like nobody was watching and the transformation from a cute little girl with Tomboy ways to a beautiful young woman, who became a published model, native fashion show model and MMA ring girl was amazing.

On June 28, 2012, she gave birth to her son Trey and on June 29, 2015, her family was completed by the birth of her daughter Yolanda. Two months later D’Lani became very sick and nearly lost her life. After numerous tests and a biopsy, she was diagnosed with Granulomatosis with polyangiitis (GPA, formerly called Wegener’s) which is a rare and incurable disease and life as she knew it changed and she began the fight of her life.  Refusing to let her illness define her, she lived life by her own terms, a rebel child from the time she discovered that rules were boring. Lol…my baby girl was unique. But to give you an idea about who she was you would have to take note of that little dash between her date of birth and date of death.  And if I had to sum up her dash with words, they would be beautiful, compassionate, and strong, with a protective nature and a willingness to help others. That was the overriding theme of my daughter’s life. From the time she was born until her last breath she had either changed or had given someone’s life meaning. D’Lani was far from perfect and had gone through more than her share of challenges and hardships. But she faced them head on and overcame odds; she fought for her life to the very end because of her immense love for her children, Trey and Yolanda.

I may never understand God’s plan, but I am thankful for Dee’s existence. Yes, God blessed my family with this beautiful brown eyed baby girl on October 3rd, 1992, and the dash between her two dates was the time we shared our Angel with others, in which she became an inspiration for her children and many others. Even after January 13, 2022 was painfully etched into my heart her dash continues on in the hearts of her children, family and friends. Until we are reunited in heaven every time we hear the word “Strong” we will see D’Lani’s beautiful face.

Rest in peace and grace, Baby Dl, your fight is over.

D’Lani is survived by her children, Trey Robert and Yolanda Rumor; mother, Gayle A. Lofton; siblings: Dustin Brown, Eagle Butte, Jordyn Brown, Dupree, Tyler Neigel, Spearfish, and Tracie LeCompte, Tampa Beach, FL; sister/cousins: K’Lona LeBeau, Tiana Kohlus, Sunlyn LeBeau, Mariah Frazier and Shawna LeCompte; brother/cousins: Grant Kohlus, Dayson Kohlus, Nashon LeBeau, Jeffrey Dunn, Tyson Gx LeCompte; special friend, Carlos Valles; maternal grandmother, Theresa Lofton; paternal grandparents: Chuck (Sharon) LeCompte, White Horse, Ramona Love and Richard Lafromboise, Dunsieth, ND; special nieces: Peyton, Lillian, Emily, Kyloh, Kataya, Eden, Ashley,Jamie, Kira and Sharlotte; special nephews: Asa, Xander, Jordan and Jayden; aunts: Jodi Kohlus, Lesli White Dog, Stephanie Lofton, Kristina Lofton, Leslie LeCompte, Rhonda Claymore, Marne Lamb, and Nikki Cook; uncles; Richard Lofton, Robert (Blue) Lofton Jr., Ryman LeBeau, Dean Kohlus, Jason Dupris, Carl Cadotte, Richard Cadotte, Kendrow (Skinner) Eagle Chasing and Clement White Dog Jr.; Note: D’Lani came from a large Maternal and Paternal Family Tree and she had many friends she called family, please forgive us as there are too many to name.

Waiting for D’Lani in heaven is her father, Richard G. LeCompte; sister, Ricqual LeCompte; hunka sister, Lavani Toki; cousin, Tyler LeCompte; uncles: Quentin LeCompte Colt LeCompte, Shawn Lofton, Justin Holy; aunt, Mona LeCompte; maternal grandfathers, JB Lofton and Clem White Dog Sr.; maternal great grandparents, Alfred D. Lofton Sr. and Cora Mae Blue Coat; paternal great grandparents, Ivan and Adel LeCompte.

Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg has been entrusted with D’Lani’s arrangements.

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