Funeral services for Stephanie J. Grassrope, 37, of Lower Brule will be held at 1:00 p.m., Thursday, September 3, 2026 at the Lower Brule Community Center in Lower Brule with burial in the Holy Comforter Cemetery in Lower Brule. Wake service will be 7:00 p.m., Wednesday, September 2, 2026 at the Lower Brule Community Center.

Anyone wishing to follow, the procession will leave the Funeral Home at 1:00 p.m., on Wednesday.

Stephanie Jennifer Grassrope was born on May 16, 1989, to Antoinette Goodlow and Alvin Grassrope. Although she was born to them, Stephanie was lovingly raised by her “Papa” Herb Goodlow.

Stephanie began her educational journey at Lower Brule Head Start and Lower Brule Elementary School. She graduated from 8th grade at Lower Brule Middle School before beginning her high school years at Lower Brule. During her high school years, she competed in cross country, and track and earned her letterman’s jacket. She later finished her high school education at Flandreau Indian School, where she continued to achieve many milestones. She earned letters in cross country and track, took the golf team to state, competed at Nationals in JROTC and drill team, and made it to state with the dance team.

Stephanie was also blessed with the opportunity to travel to Riverside, California, for a basketball tournament featuring native schools. She was also apart of a hip-hop dance group called “Era”.

While attending Flandreau Indian School, Stephanie met the love of her life, Marcus Brushbreaker. The wo were married in 2013. Together, they were blessed with three handsome sons: Mason, Wankiyan, and Deandre Brushbreaker.

In 2008, Stephanie began attending South Dakota State University (SDSU) in Brookings, south Dakota. Because of the busy life of being a mother and loving wife, she was unable to complete her college education. Stephanie later began working at the Lower Brule Boys & Girls Club, where she formed lifelong connections with the children who crossed her path. When she wasn’t working there, she worked as a waitress and/or housekeeper at the Golden Buffalo Casino and Hotel as well as a blackjack dealer at the Lode Star Casino & Flandreau Casino.

In 2016, Stephanie was blessed with two more beautiful children, Lavaura & Louise Payer Jr. In 2023, she welcomed her last son, Miracel Peterson.

Stephanie had an amazing gift for beading. She enjoyed listening to music and dancing. Above all, she loved being surrounded by her family and friends.

Stephanie is survived by her parents, Antoinette, Herb Goodlow, Lower Brule, South Dakota and Alvin Grassrope of Rapid City, South Dakota; her beloved children, Mason, Wankiyan, Deandre Brushbreaker, Lavaura, Louise Payer Jr., all of Flandreau, South Dakota, and Miracel Peterson of Lower Brule, South Dakota.

She is also survived by her siblings: Matthew Yellow Earrings, Weston (mary Lou) Harmon, Marcus Yellow Earrings, Melissa Johnson, Miles Yellow Earrings, Alvin Grassrope Jr, Anita Grassrope, Daniel Grassrope, Heather (Kyran Medicine Eagle) Goodlow, Kenneth “Biggie” (Shanna) Goodlow, Aaron Flute, all of Lower Brule, South Dakota, Herbert Goodlow, Jr of Ft. Thompson, South Dakota, Kelly (Danny) Masher, Chris Grassrope, of Mitchell, South Dakota, and Marilyn (Waylon) Roubideaux of Rapid City, South Dakota.

Stephanie was preceded in death by her maternal grandparents, Germain Archambault and Theodore Iron Thunder; her paternal grandprents Maxine and Noah Grassrope, two sisters, Mana Yellow Fanning and Louise Ta Sunka Witko, four aunties, Auntie Linda Iron Thunder, Betty Ha Lorraine Iron Thunder, and Aggie Hawk and seven uncles, Myron Iron Thunder, Timothy Archambault, Ron Yellow, Tote Carpenter, LindiGuy, Eltwin, and Elvis Grassrope.

Her cousins include Tawnee Jo Sitting Dog, Germaine Kaseman, Dominique Archambault, Baby Paul Archambault, Althea Sitting Dog, Tyson Grassrope, Kimberly Flute, Maza Grassrope, Kelsy Grassrope, and Tamara Grassrope.

Stephanie will forever be remembered for her loving heart, her lover for her children and family, her joy in music and dancing, her gift of beading, and the many lives she touched throughout her journey. Her memory will live on through her children, family, friends, and all those blessed to have known and loved her.