Funeral services for Ellen Kay GrassRope, 73, of Lower Brule, SD, will be 11:00 a.m., Saturday, January 31, 2026 at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD with burial in the St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at Lower Brule.  Wake services will be 7:00 pm., Thursday and Friday at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule, SD.

Anyone wishing to follow, the procession will leave from the funeral home on Thursday at 1:00.

Ellen K GrassRope Smith was born to Helen LaRoche Smith and Delmar Smith on July 21, 1952 in Igloo SD. Ellen met the love of her life, Victor GrassRope Sr, and was united in marriage on February 1st 1973. To this union they had six sons and five daughters.

Ellen and Victor made their home in Lower Brule SD. Ellen's biggest accomplishment has always been her family. The door was always open in the GrassRope household. Ellen was known to always have children with her whether they were hers, her grandchildren, or even friends of the family. She never failed to always be a mother to all.

Ellen was known best for her kind heart and loving personality. The type of person, if you told her you liked something of hers she would try to give it to you. She would use her last dollar to try to help anyone she could. Her generosity knew no limits, and her love was always unconditional.

Although she would come off as gentle and meek, Ellen had a warrior spirit. In 2019 she was diagnosed with lymphoma in the brain. After what seemed to be a long difficult fight, one year later in 2020 she beat the odds.

Ellen continued to live in her home in Lower Brule alongside one of her daughters and two grandchildren. She cherished every moment spent with her children and grandchildren, especially during family get-togethers, which were always deeply important in the GrassRope family.

As time went on, Ellen was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. In her final days she went on to be surrounded by her loved ones as they all took turns checking on her. Each day her children came and saw her, Ellen found the strength to visit and remind them how much she loved them. In the early hours of January 26th 2026, Ellen was reunited with her beloved husband.

Ellen and her husband Victor leave behind a powerful legacy of love, generosity, and devotion to family. They taught us how to love selflessly, give freely, and show up for one another no matter the cost. Their spirits will live on through their children, grandchildren, and all those whose lives they touched. Ellen will be deeply missed, forever loved, and never forgotten.

Gratefully sharing her life are five daughters: Allison (Quintin McGhee) Grass Rope of Pukwana, Sharla Grass Rope, Lucinda (Ryan Kirkie) Grass Rope, Memoree (Robert His Law) Grass Rope,Leslee (Shylo) Laforge all of Lower Brule; four sons Donovan (Theresa) Grass Rope, Clayton Grass Rope, Alan Grass Rope of Lower Brule ,Benjamin (Peggy Mirreaux) Grass Rope of Huron, SD; 5 sisters Annalisa Estes Lorna Sirvas, Shawn Smith, Jeannie Thompson, Charli Smith

1 sister in law Theresa Grass Rope; 33 grandchildren; 4 great grandchildren; and many other relatives and friends.

Preceding her in death were her Husband Victor Donovan GrassRope Sr., son Victor Grass Rope, Jr.; son Martin Grass Rope; her parents Delmar and Helen Smith, one sister Cheryl Smith.