Donna Rae Petersen

Funeral services for Donna Rae Petersen, 67, of Ridgeview were held November 19, 2020 at Kesling Funeral Home in Mobridge. Inurnment will be in St. Joseph’s Catholic Cemetery at a later date

Donna passed away November 12, 2020 at Sanford Medical Center in Sioux Falls.

Donna Rae Thompson (Oyate Wacinyapi Win-‘Woman Who Leads Her People’) was born on April 10, 1953 to Germaine White Eyes and John Thompson. She arrived on a cold rainy day at her Grandmother Christine White Eyes’ home on the banks of the Moreau River. Donna Rae was named after her mother’s good friend Donna (Zitzman) Wachendorf. She carried the Thompson name until her mother and father, Cecil Means, were unified in marriage in 1958.

Donna was raised for two years by her uncle Joe and aunt Aldena High Bear, aunt Janice, JoHanna, and great-grandmother Rose in LaPlant, while her mother attended college in Brookings.

Donna Rae lived most of her life on the family ranch in Armstrong County. She was the oldest of the seven Means siblings. She also had two other sisters, Lynelle and Jonni Thompson. Donna Rae was not only their sister, but also like their mother.

Donna Rae attended Dupree School and at the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School, graduating in 1972.

In the summer of 1971 she served the Tribe as a youth ambassador/ exchange student in the Philippine Islands. She attended South Dakota State University, Black Hills State University, and Cheyenne River Community College/Northern State University. She obtained an Associate of Arts Degree in General Studies and Political Science and a Baccalaureate Degree in Community Services and Political Science.

In the fall of 1989, she went to the Northern State University campus and completed her Baccalaureate Degree all while raising her family, ranching, and working. She earned her Master of Arts Degree in Lakota Leadership and Management from Oglala Lakota College at the age of 65.

Donna Rae married her high school sweetheart, James “Jim” Petersen, on February 16, 1974 and they had three children, Michael Todd, Luke Arthur, and Amalia “Molly” Marie. She also has one hunka son Art Sakakihara-Chavaria. She had great pride in helping raise her grandchildren. Her family was always her number one accomplishment.

Donna Rae wore many hats, including Tribal Land Clerk, Tribal Director of Land and Natural Resources, Tribal Liaison, Tribal Grant Writer, Credit Office Technician, Indian Community Development Grant Writer, Executive Director of Planning and Development, and VP of Institutional Development. For the last 14 1/2 years before retiring she served her Tribe as the CRST Cultural Programs Administrator.

Donna Rae was also an educator at the University of South Dakota and Northwest Area Schools Adult Education. She was the secretary/ treasurer of the Great Plains Indian Rodeo Association and was a timer at the Indian National Finals Rodeo.

In 1971-1972 she was the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe Fair Queen. Rodeo was always a big part of her life.

Donna Rae had great pride in her Catholic and Lakota faith. She was a pipe carrier for many years and a eucharistic minister. She was a big promoter to bring back Catholic masses in Ridgeview and was eager to help others along the way to find their own faith and beliefs. She loved to dance any chance she could. Even through the daily pain of fibromyalgia, she could muscle through a few quick moves.

Donna Rae is survived by her husband, James “Jim” Petersen; mother-in-law Patricia Petersen; sons Michael (Jenessa) of Ridgeview and Luke (Dreemis) of Dupree; daughter Molly (Dakota) Longbrake of Dupree; grandchildren Payne Petersen-Davis, Clay, Riley, Cedar, Wynter, Chancey, Trinity, Laniah, Lawson, Levin, and Lowen Petersen, and MacKenzie, Jazmyn, Kemper, and Kip Longbrake; her siblings, Connie, Galen, CJ, Bucky, Carmen, and Shawn; many nieces, nephews, and cousins; as well as many friends who have held a special place in her heart as family.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Germaine and Cecil Means; father-in-law Leslie Petersen; brother Johnny Delaine; hunka parents Joe and Aldena High Bear; and several uncles, aunts, cousins, and friends.