Zoran Vance Raba, 1990-2021
Obituaries-Mobridge / Posted Nov 15, 2021 | 10:34 AM / 919 views
Funeral services for Zoran Vance Raba, 30, of McLaughlin will be at 12 PM, Thursday, November 18, 2021 at the McLaughlin Blue Gym. Burial will be at St. Elizabeth’s Episcopal Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Visitation will begin at 4 PM Wednesday with a prayer service at 6 PM at the funeral home. Zoran passed away Tuesday, November 9, 2021 at his home in McLaughlin.
Zoran Vance Raba was born at Mobridge Regional Hospital, November 11, 1990 to Audrey (Schlepp) Rowe and Paul Raba. He is the youngest of three boys his brothers being Zachary and Zaide Raba and younger sister, Taylee Raba. He attended Elementary School in Lemmon, SD and in his 8th grade year moved to Fort Yates to live with his Mother and Step Father David Rowe where he graduated from Standing Rock High School in 2009.
Although Zoran came into this world a big bouncing baby boy weighing 11lbs. 13 ½ ounces, he was a content baby who slept through the night and hardly ever cried, he was a happy baby that would have an ear to ear smile when anyone looked at him. As a little boy Zoran was very loving, always wanting to hug, give kisses and snuggle by laying his head on the shoulder of whoever was holding him and holding tight.
In Jr. High and High-School he first tried baseball, then moved to football where he was AA West Region All Conference 2 years in a row 2007 RB/LB and 2008 OL and lettered in Varsity. With his Dad Dave’s coaching he entered into wrestling in his 9th grade year becoming a 4-time State Qualifier. Through sports Zoran made many new friends that he became very close with and all his teachers had nothing but good things to say about him.
Zoran was always looking forward to going camping, tubing and fishing. He loved fishing so much many times he got up early and went by himself on the 4 wheeler and would rush home to tell us if they were biting. He found another passion when his Dad Dave took him hunting for deer, antelope, pheasants and grouse and taught him how to shoot a rifle and shot gun.
Because he loved being outdoors so much, after graduation he took various jobs being a laborer. One of those jobs took him to McLaughlin where he met his wife Nicole Little Bear.
On August 4, 2013 Zoran was introduced to Nicole Little Bear. They were married in McIntosh on January 4, 2018. Since he moved to McLaughlin he lived with his mother-in-law, Anna Long Chase & Family.
Zoran was such a loving, caring, respectful young man to his wife and her whole family. They all loved him dearly. He made many friends during his time in Bear Soldier. Zoran was a very smart, intelligent, outgoing patient young man. He liked to fix and work on cars. If he didn’t know how to fix it he would you tube videos and teach himself. Zoran was also quite the handyman and electronics whiz, always working and fixing something. He always kept himself busy and was always on the move. He loved children and all four legged animals and they loved him.
Together Zoran and Nicole had two dogs Mahto Cikala and Brusier Luis Woods Little Bear Raba until they passed away. Zoran missed them so much. He had numerous nephews and nieces but he loved and was very helpful with his godson, Dionte, nephew, William III, and Niece, Chasidee. He is going to be so missed by all but especially at his home and by his wife.
Zoran is survived by his Wife, Nicole Little Bear, McLaughlin, his Parents Audrey (David) Rowe, Fort Yates, Father Paul Raba, Brothers Zachary (Ashlee) Raba and Zaide Raba, all of Spearfish, sister, Taylee Raba, mother-in-law, Anna Long Chase, brothers-in-law, Chaske (Jaimie) Little Bear, William Little Bear Jr. and children, nephews, Dionte, William III, niece, Chasidee Little Bear, uncles, Gary Good House, Thoreau, NM, Blair (Diana) Schlepp, Phoenix, AZ, Edward Schlepp, Rapid City, aunts, Lindy Peters, Dilworth, MN, Cathy (Larry) Clark, Sioux Falls, Marlys Schlepp, Breckenridge, MN, Nina (Greg) Good House, Mobridge, Janice Good House Trail City, DeShannon (Jeff) Medicine Horse Mobridge. Zoran comes from a large Family with numerous aunts, unlces, cousins, nieces and nephews that he was close to and loved very much and who loved him.
Zoran is preceded in death by his Grand Parents William and Lydia (Good House) Schlepp-mother’s parents, David Raba and Charlotte White Shield father’s parents, Special Auntie Carol Schlepp, sisters-in-law, Dionne Brown Otter, friend, Christian Bendickson, Special cousin Caitlin Peters, Nephew Aakron Raba, dogs, Cikala Mahton and Bruiser Luis Woods Little Bear Raba.