A Mass of Christian Burial for Elaine L. Ward, 82 of Parade, SD will be held on Saturday, February 14, 2026 at 10:00 am at All Saints Catholic Church in Eagle Butte, SD. Visitation with the family will be on Friday, February 13, 2026 at the church beginning at 5:00 pm with a Rosary at 6:00 pm. Interment will take place at the Timber Lake Cemetery. Elaine passed away on Sunday, February 8 at IHS-Eagle Butte Hospital.

Elaine Leona Traversie Ward was born to Blaine and Edith Traversie on March 31, 1943 at the Old Cheyenne Agency, South Dakota. She grew up along the Moreau River near Whitehorse and was the fourth oldest of fourteen 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 Whitehorse, SD. 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. The couple 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 entered the work force and was employed by various programs including HeadStart, C.A.P., IHS Medical Records, and the Tribal Revenue Office. Bill suffered a stroke while competing at a team roping in Broadus, Montana in 1979 and shortly following, 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 full time 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. They continued to increase their operation, purchase equipment and improve the ranch headquarters over the next two decades. Elaine remained living in her home on the ranch alone for over 20 years, running her cattle operation, raising her children and doting on her grandchildren.

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. Elaine was deeply committed to and involved in all parts of her cattle operation and was still helping Bart and driving the feed truck just weeks before her passing.

She prided herself on her baking and made the very best bread and cinnamon rolls you've ever tasted. Elaine was an expert seamstress and made her own dresses and curtains. She also enjoyed rummage sales, selling her baked goods and visiting friends, especially her special friend, Donna Clausen. She and Donna shared a deep and abiding friendship throughout their lives. They loved each others 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 had a green thumb and grew beautiful plants and flowers and maintained a gorgeous yard. She enjoyed her solitude but loved having company. She was an outstanding cook and always made an effort to feed any person who graced her kitchen table. If you left Elaine's home hungry, it was your own fault.

Elaine was raised amongst the ranching and cowboy communities of Cheyenne River and 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 herhomeplace and chief among them was Coffee, who was her constant and loyal companion for the last 12 years of her life. Coffee was fiercely protective of Elaine and he made that fact known to one and all. She spent most her of time at home with Coffee and her cats, Abby and Maddy. They will miss her as will all of those who loved her. We will remember her for her toughness, her beauty, her style, her elegance and her bravery and grace during her hard-fought battle with the cancer that took her from this world. Elaine was a woman of deep faith and possessed and enduring belief in God Almighty. We take solace in the fact that she is joined with her loved ones that have gone on before her and that she is now whole and perfect and peaceful in God's divine presence.

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. She is also survived by her siblings Beverly Longbrake, Andy Traversie, Sharyn Holloway, Kenny Traversie, Paulette Rowley, Darshan Long, Rita Farlee, Betty Dupris and Melvin Traversie; and all of her many nieces and nephews who she loved dearly.

She was preceded in death by her parents Blaine and Edith Traversie, her beloved 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.