Funeral service for Eugene Keith Swalley, 65, of McLaughlin, South Dakota will be held at 2:00 PM, Tuesday, April 9, 2024, at the Blue Gym in McLaughlin. Visitation will be held from 5:00-7:00 PM, Monday, April 8, 2024, at the Kesling Funeral Chapel in Mobridge with a Prayer Service at 7:00 PM at the Funeral Home. Burial will be at the Messiah Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Eugene passed away Tuesday, April 2, 2024, at St. Alexius Medical Center in Bismarck.

Keith was born August 19, 1958, in Rapid City, SD to Gene Swalley and Isabel (Roach) Standing Crow. He attended school in American Falls, Idaho and graduated from Capital/American Falls High School in 1977.    He was a star athlete in football and basketball and was a starting member of the Idaho State Class 5A Championship Basketball Team. He continued to play ball in independent tournaments after high school and college.  Keith graduated from Sitting Bull College in 1986.

He worked with the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s MR & I Program for 28 years.  The staff, past and present, were like a second family to him.  He retired in October of 2023.  Keith’s family will always be grateful that all of you were there for him after his stroke in December of 2022 and for the accommodations you made so that he could continue working.

Keith had a love for the outdoors his whole life.  He was an avid hunter and fisherman.  He was a hardcore, lifelong Minnesota Vikings fan.  He enjoyed having friends and relatives over to watch the Vikings on game days. He also enjoyed motorcycles and going for rides.

Though Keith had no children of his own, he developed a very special bond with his special friend’s daughter, Rita. She became like one of his own and he always made sure she was taken care of.  His home is filled with her drawings and toys.

Pallbearers are Samaya White Lightning, Mykelti Iron Shield, Ohitika Shaw, Robin Shaw, Jr., Dean Loves War, Isadore Loves War, Sean White Mountain, Brett Roach, Isadore Loves War, Jr., and Terry Little Eagle.

Honorary pallbearers are Keith’s former co-workers and second family – all of the staff from the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe’s MR&I Program, Rita McLaughlin, Joey Fornino, Mimi Claymore, Catherine Claymore, Eden “June Bug” White Lightning, Eric Plenty Chief, Jr., Tyler White Lightning, Joe “Bears” McNeil, Kyle Ward, Cory Ward, Del Blade Montgomery, Elana Montgomery, Uncle Tony White Mountain family, Lonnie White Mountain and family, Kip White Mountain and family, Debra Gary and family, Major Eagleshield, Lynette Eagleshield and family, Uncle “Zondo” Alexander Swalley and family, Beverly Prue and family, Janet Sierra and family, Judy Niess and family, Eugene and Patty War Bonnet and family, Alexander Swalley, Jr., Beau Swalley, Uncle Leroy Swalley and family, Uncle Bernard and Fran Mountain and family, Caroletta Rodriquez and family, Jami Loves War and family, Ashlyn Merrill and family, Sunni “Bono” White Lightning, Christa White Lightning and family, Joe White Mountain, Jr. and family, Tina Leingang and family, Sheila White Mountain and family, Lucy Fredericks and family, Ivan White Mountain and family, Delford Marshall, Char Mountain and family, John Foster, Robert White Mountain and family, Jerilyn White Mountain and family, Rachel Brown and family, Marie Brown and family, Joseph Fornino III, Season White Lightning-Fornino, Josephine and Bryan Defender family, Danielle Maxon, Jan Two Shields, Kerry Libby, Rose Sprague, Margaret “Shaw” Two Shields, Casper Thunder Hawk, Delray Demery and the Kenel Motorcycle crew, and all of those who knew him well and thought kindly of him.  We apologize if we left anyone out, it was not our intent.

He is survived by his brother:  Briann Tirrell Loves War, Pocatello, ID; his sisters:  Karen Swalley, Lori Swalley Ward, Teri Swalley, all of Idaho, Bernadette Brown, Tacoma, Washington and Carol Standing Crow; his uncle, Tony White Mountain and many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

He was preceded in death by his parents, brothers:  James Loves War, Kenneth “Butch” Loves War and Patrick Loves War; sisters: Linda Loves War and Norma White Lightning; special friend Tanya Leaf, many close friends, cousins, aunts and uncles, all of whom he thought so dearly of and too numerous to name.

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