March 31, 1943– February 8, 2026______________________________________
A Mass of Christian Burial for Elaine L. Ward, 82, of Parade was February 14, 2026 at All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte. Interment was at the Timber Lake Cemetery.
Elaine passed away February 8 at IHS-Eagle Butte Hospital.
Elaine Leona Traversie was born to Blaine and Edith Traversie on March 31, 1943 at the Old Cheyenne Agency. She grew up along the Moreau River near White Horse, the fourth oldest of 14 siblings. She attended school at the Old Cheyenne Agency and graduated from the new Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School in Eagle Butte in 1961.
She married Bill Ward, Sr. on June 15, 1963 in White Horse. To this union five children were born: Bill, Kelly, Brady, Robin and Bart. After they were married Bill and Elaine lived and worked on the Sutton Ranch near the Missouri River west of Onida for a time. They moved to Dupree and eventually to Eagle Butte.
Bill worked for Indian Action and for Moreau-Grand Electric. Elaine was a stay-at-home wife and mother. Many happy memories were made during the years the family lived on Washington Street in Eagle Butte. It was a true neighborhood community of family and friends who became like family, including the Gunville, LaPlante, Lawrence, Ducheneaux, Longbrake, Ward, Kessler, Newbrough, Keckler, Woods and Annis families. All of Elaine’s siblings stayed in that yellow house on Washington Street at one time or another. It was always open to them as a place of comfort and kindness and laughter.
In 1973, Bill and Elaine expanded their cattle operation, having secured the range unit north of Parade and began improvements for a ranch headquarters. Elaine was employed by Head Start, C.A.P., IHS Medical Records, and the Tribal Revenue Office.
Bill suffered a stroke while competing at a team roping in Broadus, MT in 1979 and died in 1995. The family moved to the house that Bill and Elaine had built on the ranch. Elaine resided at the home place operating the W Mill Iron Ranch for the rest of her days.
Elaine was married to Gordon LeCompte from 1987 until his passing in 2005. She retired from full-time employment with the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe in November 2005 and began ranching with Bart as they built their herds in joint operation.
During the first few years after her retirement, times were tough on the ranch. They didn’t have a tractor so she and Bart pulled hay bales with a chain and pickup for three winters until they got a Bobcat. Elaine was involved in all parts of her cattle operation and was still helping Bart and driving the feed truck just weeks before her passing.
Elaine endured tremendous hardships during her lifetime. She was a model of strength and perseverance. Her ability to adapt in difficult circumstances and overcome any obstacle set in front of her was second to none. When faced with adversity, Elaine either found a way, or she made a way. Her children came first at all times. Even in the leanest of times, she made sure that her children were fed, well-clothed and loved. She supported and encouraged them in all their pursuits. She was firm when necessary and unfailingly generous, welcoming and loving.
She prided herself on her baking. She was an expert seamstress and made her own dresses and curtains. She enjoyed rummage sales, selling her baked goods and visiting friends, especially her special friend, Donna Clausen. They loved each other’s children as their own. The duo spent many hours visiting, reminiscing and sharing laughter at Donna’s store. They enjoyed going on road trips to see the sights, shop and even took in a horse sale or two together.
Elaine grew beautiful plants and flowers and maintained a gorgeous yard. She was an outstanding cook and always made an effort to feed any person who graced her kitchen table.
Elaine enjoyed the company of a horse as much as any cowgirl could. Elaine was still in the saddle at 81 years of age.
Her pet dogs followed her on her walks in the Moreau River breaks of her home place; chief among them was Coffee, who was her constant and loyal companion for the last 12 years of her life.
She will be remembered for her toughness, her beauty, her style, her elegance and her bravery and grace during her battle with cancer. Elaine was a woman of deep faith and possessed and enduring belief in God Almighty.
Left behind to cherish and honor her memory are her children: Bill (JoDonna) Ward, Kelly (Bo)Ward, Brady (Kim) Ward, Robin Ward McCoy, and Bart (Jaime) Ward; 17 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren; siblings Beverly Longbrake, Andy Traversie, Sharyn Holloway, Kenny Traversie, Paulette Rowley, Darshan Long, Rita Farlee, Betty Dupris and Melvin Traversie; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Blaine and Edith Traversie; her husband Bill Ward, Sr.; her brothers Tom Traversie, Delbert Traversie, Calvin “Red” Traversie, and Pierre Traversie; her “bestie” Donna Clausen and all of her aunts and uncles.
(The family’s address is PO Box 495, Eagle Butte, SD 57625.)