February 11, 1944 – March 6, 2026 _____________________________________
Abraham Benjamin “Abe” Kasto, 82, of Eagle Butte passed away Friday, March 6, 2026, at the Flandreau Santee Sioux Nursing Home in Flandreau.
Funeral services were March 18, 2026, at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Eagle Butte. Burial followed in the Green Grass Cemetery.
Abe was born on February 11, 1944, in Old Agency, to Mabel Red Bear–Kasto and Norman Straighthead. He was raised by his maternal greatgrandparents, James and Annabel “Anna” Kasto. Abe grew up west of Green Grass in the country known as Inkpata, where his grandfather served as a minister for the surrounding communities.
Abe enlisted in the U.S. Navy and trained to become a Navy SEAL. He successfully completed boot camp but returned home to care for his grandmother Anna when she became ill.
In March of 1968, Abe married Grace Kasto.
Abe raised his children with deep respect for the traditional Lakota/ Dakota way of life. He taught them that the medicines are found on the prairie, shared his favorite fishing spots, and passed on his love of the outdoors and the earth. He showed them how to garden, forage, and provide for their family. Abe also passed down traditional sacred songs and Olowan hymns.
Abe served as a firefighter for the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe and worked as a squad boss, fighting fires across the United States. Wherever he traveled, he brought back souvenirs and stories for his children. He was also instrumental in helping start the first Sundance ceremony in Green Grass, known as the International Sundance.
Abe was a Native American activist. He helped fight against the Dakota Access Pipeline during the movement known as “NoDAPL” near Cannon Ball, ND.
He earned certificates in plumbing, carpentry, and electrical work from Oglala Lakota College in Eagle Butte. Abe worked as a carpenter, at Lakota Thrifty Mart, and as a propane driver for the Cheyenne River Telephone Authority.
Abe was a lifelong athlete. He competed in a triathlon, helped start a traveling basketball team, and trained as a firefighter. He was known as a skilled and respected hunter who understood how to use every part of the buffalo and was especially known for his cooking.
In his fifties, Abe suffered a stroke that changed the course of his life. Though he lost his voice and many of the activities he loved, his wife Grace remained his steadfast anchor, along with the love of his children and grandchildren.
In March 2023, Abe survived a serious medical emergency that nearly took his life, but he fought through it and was able to return home. Later that year, he stayed at the Medicine Wheel Nursing Home in Eagle Butte.
When Grace passed away in January 2024, Abe was heartbroken. When he passed on March 6, 2026— their wedding anniversary—his family found comfort in knowing they were reunited.
He is survived by his children: Dulcie Kasto-Keith of Birmingham, AL, Winona Kasto of Eagle Butte, Moria Kasto of Eagle Butte, and Seanacy Kasto of Isabel; 15 grandchildren; 44 great-grandchildren; and one great-great-grandchild.
He was preceded in death by his wife, Grace Kasto; his parents; maternal grandparents Lucey Kasto and Red Bear; paternal grandparents Robert Straighthead and Susan Marrowbone; great-great-grandparents, James and Anna Kasto; daughter Naomi Kasto; grandchild Gerald “Yamni” Westly Running Hawk III; and great-grandchild Kerian Bree Zephier.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.