Funeral services for Bertrand L. Carpenter, , of Lower Brule, SD was 1:00 p.m., Friday, October 27, 2023 at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD with burial in the Messiah Episcopal Cemetery at Iron Nation, SD.

Bertrand "Toto" Lewis Carpenter was born February 27, 1956 to Barbara Carpenter and Swede Abernathy at the Community Bailey Hospital in Chamberlain, SD.  He was raised by his grandmother Shirley Cloud Eagle.  He attended school at the Pierre Indian Learning Center in Pierre graduating in 1969.  He then attended Flandreau Indian School in Flandreau graduating from Flandreau High School in 1974.

In 1976, he enlisted in the U. S. Army, serving until 1976.  He worked at John Morrells in Sioux Falls and then construction for a few years before returning to Lower Brule where he worked for the Lower Brule Wildland Firefighting for several years.  He worked for several years at the Lower Brule Community Center as the Director.  In 2017-2018, he worked at the Lower Brule Elementary School and as security at the Golden Buffalo Casino.  In 2018, he began working at the Lower Brule I.H.S. where he worked until 2023.

Toto enjoyed fishing and hunting.  His favorite teams were the Chicago Bulls and the Kansas City Chiefs.  His favorite colors were black and red.  He loved going to the casino and visiting with friends and family.  Toto always had a smile on his face and enjoyed sharing that smile through many friends and family.  He had a passion for busting a move out whenever and wherever.

Toto is survived by his mother Barbara Carpenter, father Swede Abernathy, children Shiela Carpenter, Zachary Zane Ziegler, Trinity Langdeau, Ronada Carpenter, Damian Carpenter, and Reese Rose Carpenter; many grandchildren and many other family and friends too numerous to mention.

Preceding him in death were his Grandma Shirley Cloud Eagle, daughter Juanita Carpenter, and good friend/brothers Grover Fallis and Roger Rodriquez.