Funeral services for Dale A. LaRoche, 28, of Lower Brule, SD will be 1:00 p.m., Thursday, April 9, 2026 at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD with burial in the Messiah Episcopal Cemetery at Iron Nation, SD. Wake services will be 7:00 p.m., Tuesday and Wednesday at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule SD.

Anyone wishing to follow, the procession will leave the funeral home on Tuesday at 3:00 pm.

Dale Allen LaRoche journeyed to the Wichahpi Oyate on March 31, 2026.  His lakota name Hante Sa was given to him by Florentine Blue Thunder.  Red Cedar was his Great Grandpa Antoine (Tony) LaRoche's Lakota name.  He came into this world on September 29, 1997.  His biological parents are Shaunna LaRoche and Ron Pretty Sounding Flute Sr.  Dale was a resident at Sunset Manor, a nursing home in Irene, SD trying to recuperate from a motorcycle accident that happened on June 19, 2021.

He had a huge complex networking family.  He was raised by a special aunt and uncle, Cody Russell and Emma LaRoche Russell.  Even though Emma and Cody were an aunt and uncle, they referred to Dale as their "Son".  His mom Shaunna LaRoche, grandparents Robyn (Laroche) Middletent and Dale Middletent also had a big hand in his upbringing.  Biological father Ronald Pretty Sounding Flute Sr.  Dale stayed close to Lower Brule where he attended school and worked for SoDak Builders renovating and building homes.

During his high school years, he met the love of his life Selena Goodlow.  From this relationship came two beautiful daughters, Robyn Jordan LaRoche and Rylyn Jade Goodlow.  He revered his daughters and was genuinely proud of them.  Robyn is ten years old and Rylynn is five.   There resided on Pretty Head Street up until the motorcycle accident.

He loved all sports. His favorites were basketball and football.  He played varsity basketball and was a quarterback on the football team.  He was a proud Lower Brule Sioux.

He also had a tremendous liking for animals.  Especially horses and dogs.  His first horse was named Candy.  Dale and Candy were like brothers.  They were the best of best friends.  He and his uncle Cody trained Candy to jump into the back of a pick-up.  He didn't nee a trailer to haul his horse around.  His other horse companions' names were Two Socks, Sarge, Drop, Hobbie, and Gunner.  He was very thankful to the LJ Flute Family for accepting him in the Indian Horse Relay Team Family known as South Creek.  This was his ultimate compassion.  South Creek was feared by many as they traveled and competed with top notch teams in the upper Midwest.

He was a dog lover and had numerous dogs.  His favorites were Suzi, Rosco, and Thor.

Hante Sa believed in contact sports like boxing and wrestling.  He boxed in South Dakota, including LNI, and Minnesota.  His coach was Cheyenne Ziegler.  He was a champion AAU wrestler with only a couple losses.  This mutton busting type of guy even participated in the Bull Poker event at the annual Lower Brule Fair and Rodeo.

Red Cedar had a passion for food.  He was a Grill Master in the making.  He could grill burgers, dogs, and steaks to the highest attainable perfection.   The savory taste would knock your socks off.  Then after the food he would bring out his specialty beverages.

Grateful to have shared his life are his brothers: Marlowe LaRoche, Ron P.S. Flute, Jr., Nate Flute, Chason Middletent, Trinity Sazue, and Aiden Flute; sisters Araina Langdeau, Shaun Blacksmith, Tamara P.S. Flute, and Shayla Flute. Uncles: Danny P.S. Flute, Darrell Middletent Sr., Bob (Marletta) Merritt, Terrry Middletent, Harv LaRoche, Charles Flute, Wade Felicia, Dave P.S. Flute, and Travis LaRoche.  Aunts: Pam P.S. Flute, Trisha P.S. Flute, Markisha Makes Room For Them, Crystal Middletent, Mona Jo LaRoche, Dawn Middletent, Bobbi Middletent, Rikki Middletent, Denise Middletent, Valerie LaRoche, Latonn LaRoche, Karil Harmon, Kenna Harmon, Dena Harmon, Roberta Dempsey, Kim Dempsey, Tammy LaRoche, and Kay Kay LaRoche,.  Grandparent/Dad Big Dale Middletent. Grandparents Amanda and Carrie P.S. Flute, Patti P.S. Flute, Carol Thigh, Bessie Loudner, and George P.S. Flute.

Preceding him in death were his grandmother/Mom Robyn LaRoche Middletent. Grandparents: Emil "Levi" Flute, Nathan Middletent, Sadie P.S. Flute, Irene P.S. Flute, Bessie Estes, Aurelia Pourier, Mary Middletent, Elvah Jean LaRoche, Sadie and Philip Langdeau and mother-in-law Rhonda Thigh.  Aunts: Rita Ollerich, Lana LaRoche, and Jackie Jandreau.  Sister Malaina Flute. Uncles: Billy Jack Weddell, Ben Middletent, and Keith Middletent.  Cousins: Michelle and Lesley Langdeau, Ellsworth Langdeau, Amy, Michael L., Pat, Jeff, and Michael Jandreau.  Very special brother's Leon Whitney and Clint Skunk and many, many cousins and relatives.