April 17, 1957 – January 10, 2026 ________________
Cyntheia Ann Rousseau Fischer, 68, of Red Elm entered the spirit world on January 10, 2026, at Monument Health Hospice Center in Rapid City with loving family and friends at her side.
Funeral services were on January 20, 2026, at All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte with Fr. John Paul Trask presiding. Burial was in the Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis.
Cyntheia Ann was born on April 17, 1957 at the old Cheyenne Agency to Theodore “Junior” and Lehla (Wright) Rousseau of Ridgeview.
After graduating from high school in 1974, Cindy began her nursing career by enrolling in the Licensed Practical Nursing program at St. Mary’s Hospital in Pierre. She later attended the Mt. Marty satellite program at Yankton and eventually graduated with her bachelor’s degree from Presentation College in Aberdeen. She continued her education and earned a master’s degree in nursing while also pursuing doctoral studies.
Cindy was a member of the Commissioned Corps of Nursing, where she served with the Indian Health Service and the Public Health Service. She retired in 2008 after years of dedicated service.
Cindy married Franklin D. Halfred, known as “Jumbo,” in September 1975. Two children were born to this union: Josephine Lehla Rose on September 28, 1983, and Michael John (MJ) on March 1, 1984. Cindy was a devoted mother and lived her life for them. Cindy and Jumbo also welcomed many nieces and nephews into their home.
On June 19, 2004, Cindy married Gerald K. “Jerry” Fischer. Cindy and Jerry enjoyed romantic dinner dates, trips to the casino, and movie outings.
Cindy loved shopping. She was a very generous person. Large boxes of goodies from Aunt Cindy and Uncle Jerry were often delivered to various homes – sometimes boxes the size of a kitchen stove.
Cindy is survived by her husband, Jerry Fischer; son Michael John (Becca) Halfred; grandchildren Bobbi Jo Mendoza of Rapid City, and Maezlyn, Yasmin, Dakotta, and Kash of Red Elm; sisters Beth (Tom) Wilson of Sioux Falls, Deb (Dale) Johnson of Sturgis, and Patsy (Carl) of Mountain Home, ID; brother Mike Rousseau of Ridgeview; and her beloved fur babies.
She was preceded in death by her daughter Josephine Halfred Mendoza; twin grandchildren, Franklin Keith and Isabella Rose Mendoza; her parents, Junior and Lehla Rousseau; brothers Ron and Rick Rousseau; sister Roberta “Bobbi Jo” Rousseau; and her husband, Jumbo Halfred.
Cindy will be remembered for her kind heart, generous soul, and that crooked little smile when she was up to something mischievous.
Luce Funeral Home of Gettysburg was in charge of arrangements.