Mass of Christian Burial for Dean LeCompte age 90 of rural Mobridge will be 10:00 AM Tuesday, August 25, 2015 at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Mobridge. Burial will be in the Mobridge City Cemetery under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge. Closed casket visitation will begin at 5PM with a vigil service at 7PM at Kesling Funeral Home. Dean passed away Wednesday, August 19, 2015 at his home.

Dean Virgil LeCompte was born on November 10, 1924 to Obede and Cecilia (Skinner) LeCompte on their ranch south of Mobridge, SD on the Standing Rock Reservation. He was given the Lakota name Canta Maza (Iron Heart) at birth by his Grandpa and Grandma Skinner.

He was educated at the Old Cheyenne Agency school on the Cheyenne River Reservation, and the St. Joseph Catholic Mission school in Chamberlain, SD. After, he spent all of his time on his dad's Ranch working cattle, breaking horses and haying the fields.

His ambitions was to join the United States Navy, at the age of 17 he enlisted in the United States Navy Submarine Division in 1940 when WWII broke out. He served as an Electrician Assistant, 2nd Class on the USS S-15 and the USS Trigger (SS-237) submarines. He did not want to take leave but was forced as it was policy. When he was on leave, the USS Trigger was detected by Japanese aircraft and was bombed on March 28, 1945. The aircraft then guided the Kaibikan Mihura, CD-33 and CD-59 to the spot and delivered an intensive depth charge. Everyone on board was perished. Until the day he died, he would always speak of this so humbly with a faint smile but we knew he was hurting inside to lose his fellow comrades.

He returned home from the military and he continued his as a bronc rider and a ranch hand. He broke horses for area ranchers as a living. He also worked as a heavy equipment operator for the BIA roads Department. He has lived 90 years with a great sense of humor and more importantly with kindness, love and compassion in his heart for everyone and also with the following philosophies "Take life as it comes, when problems come up, don't get mad, sit down and think about them." Or "Problems come up, they ain't gonna last." Or "There's always better days ahead." And last but not least "You only go around once." He was the last WWII Veteran living on the SRST Reservation. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and his country.

Dean is survived by one daughter and son. Sister Doris and Charlie Soiseth of Fort Yates, ND and Brother Delano LeCompte, Sr. of Fort Yates, ND. Nephews; Delano Gene Claymore, Scottie Jacobson, Delano "Sandy" LeCompte Jr., Donald "Cody" LeCompte, Obede LeCompte, Roger Valandra and Obede Valandra, Nieces; Denise Lighting Fire, Dawn Middletent, Delores LeCompte, Delfreda LeCompte, LaRita LeCompte, Sandy Foley, Cindy Raders, Renee Vermillion, Patty Valandra, Ann Valandra, Susie Valandra, Gail Valandra and many great nieces and nephews to numerous to mention.

Dean was preceded in death by his parents Obede and Cecilia LeCompte, Sister Gwen (LeCompte) Valandra; Niece Linda (Claymore) Dubray, Nephews; Sidney Claymore, Brent Claymore, Dickie Claymore, Kenneth Claymore, Butch Valandra, Bruce Valandra and Calvin Valandra, Great-nephews Jade Mortenson, Robbie McLaughlin, Shiloh Rank, great-nieces, Olivia High Elk.