Celebration of Life Services for Rodney “RJ” John Yellow Fat, Mila Hanska “Long Lance”, will be held at 11:00 AM, Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Kesling Funeral Chapel in Mobridge. Visitation will begin one hour prior to services on Monday at the Funeral Home. Rodney passed away Saturday, June 21, 2025, at his home in Rural Kenel, South Dakota. Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge is in charge of arrangements.

Rodney “RJ” Yellow Fat was born in Fort Yates, North Dakota on November 15, 1957 to Raymond and Dorothy (Demery) Yellow Fat. He was one of six siblings including Terry, Annette, Irma, Darlene, and Cordell. He grew up in Old Kenel as well as Promise, SD at Gene and Irene Ryan Ranch. He spent his primary school years attending Mobridge and St. Joseph Indian School where he graduated from 8th grade in May of 1972. RJ started high school at Fort Yates High School and ended up graduating from Timberlake High School in 1976. RJ worked various jobs but spent the majority of his career working for Standing Rock Sioux Tribe until his retirement.

He met his soul mate, Glenna LeBeau, in January of 1977. Rodney and Glenna married on August 6, 1988 in rural Promise, SD at Delmas Traversie residence. “Thank the Lord for giving me Glenna for a partner that we got to share 47 years”. They had 4 children, Starla, James, Samantha, and Jonathan, and Hunka daughter Jersie Thompson.

As a young man, RJ was a cub scout, a member of 4H Club, and rode bulls at Little Britches Rodeo. When he lived at Gene Ryan Ranch, he would relay race for Gib LeBeau. He enjoyed riding motorcycle and in his early 20’s, he was a co-founder of the High Plains Drifters, a motorcycle club which later became known as Lakota Bros. RJ was a very sociable man who enjoyed going to the casinos, visiting with his many acquaintances and friends, and watching the Minnesota Vikings and UFC with his Yellow Fat crew. As a father, RJ was an active parent and was involved in attending his children’s school and athletic activities. RJ loved being outside and during his 26 years living at his Kenel residence, he planted numerous trees. RJ and Glenna then moved out to rural Kenel to enjoy his retirement where he continued to maintain his yard. He also gave his time taking care of the community, maintaining the community playground and cemetery. RJ also enjoyed playing games like Yahtzee, 10,000, and Cornhole.

RJ was a loving husband, father, grandfather, and great grandfather. He had a quiet strength and warmth that touched everyone around him. He had a great sense of humor like a smart aleck and was affectionately named “Mr. 2 Cents”. These moments captured in smiles, laughter, and in everyday life, a reflection of the love RJ gave so freely. Through good times and bad, he was the rock whom his family could always depend on. Although his presence is no longer physical, his love and laughter live on in the hearts and memories of all who knew him. His legacy will live on in his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. RJ passed away peacefully at home with his wife and children present.

RJ is survived by his wife, Glenna, his children Starla Yellow Fat, James Yellow Fat, Samantha (Trent) Prentice, Jonathan Yellow Fat, and Hunka daughter Jersie Thompson. Grandchildren Jaden (Bo) Wells, Thor Yellow Fat, Mathias Yellow Fat, Laila Yellow Fat, Jreyden Racine, Arya Yellow Fat, Sansa Yellow Fat, and Keida and Hakoda Prentice. Great grandchildren Salem and Noel Wells. His siblings Terry (Gayleen) Yellow Fat, Annette Yellow Fat, Irma (Todd) Walking Elk, and Cordell (Judi) Yellow Fat.

RJ is proceeded in death by his grandparents James and Mary Yellow Fat and Robert and Mary Demery, his father and mother Raymond and Dorothy Yellow Fat, his sister Darlene Yellow Fat, his uncle LD Demery, his aunts Loretta Crow Feather and Marcella Demery, his nephews Corey Yellow Fat, Charles Dog Eagle, Dusty Walking Elk, CJ and Joe Paul Yellow Fat, his nieces Lesley Rae Demery and Allison Martin, his in-laws Homer and Dora LeBeau, his brothers in law Stewart and Doyce LeBeau, and grandson Lennick Mike.

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