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Obituaries

Journey to the Spirit World

This page serves as a space to honor and remember the lives of our tribal members who have passed away. Here, we come together as a compassionate and supportive community to pay tribute to their legacies.

Obituary picture of Darren W. Roy
Darren W. Roy

Born: October 28, 1989
Journeyed to the Spirit World: January 19, 2022

Darren Webster Roy, Tasunka Duta, 32, Flandreau SD passed away Wednesday January 19, 2022, at the Avera Flandreau Hospital surrounded by his children and loved ones. Darren was born in Flandreau to the late Josh A. Roy and Raone M. Strutz (Littlewolf) on October 28th, 1989. He was given to and raised with his paternal grandparents Gerald and Patricia Roy (Taylor) until their passing. He was the biggest “Grandpa’s Boy” and was the family’s baby. He was a Sundancer at Crowdogs Paradise at a young age and was a member of the Native American Church. He was passionate about this way of life.

     At age 13, Darren’s doctors discovered a rare autoimmune disease and a stomach tumor that would have a lasting impact throughout his life and on his health. He believed and relied upon his traditional ceremonies to assist in his healing while undergoing four major surgeries. Darren attended Flandreau Public School and then the Flandreau Indian School, where he met the late Jovan Charmayne Willow. They welcomed two beautiful daughters together, Diamond Willow in 2007 and Patricia Taylor in 2009.

     He worked at the Royal River Casino where he made many friends and memories. Some of his roles at the casino included: security guard, cook, buffet attendant, and table games dealer. He also worked for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribal Housing Authority maintenance, just like his grandpa, Jerry. Lastly, he worked as a custodian for the FSST Health Center. He was very proud of his employment there because it gave him the opportunity to have more time with his children. One of his proudest projects at the clinic, was decorating the pediatric rooms. He worked there alongside his sister, Taylor.

     In 2015, during a dart banquet, he met Lindsey Morrow and soon after they established a relationship with one another. The two of them brought their families together where they accepted each other’s children as their own which includes: Eshiah, Brett, and Alexavier.

     His hobbies included: darts, pool, boxing, softball, basketball, horseshoes, cornhole, cribbage, croquet, and video games. He is remembered by his loved ones for being loving, goofy, and strong. His love and affection for all children, especially his nieces and nephews were unmistakable.

     Darren is survived by daughters, Diamond Roy, Patricia Roy, Eshiah Morrow, and sons Brett Poitra, Alexavier Poitra, all of Flandreau, SD, mother, Raone Strutz, Flandreau, SD, Hunka mother Sondra Wakeman, Flandreau, SD, brother, Daniel Folstrom, Naytahwaush, MN, sisters, Sylvia Roy, Flandreau, SD, Melena Folstrom, Flandreau, SD, Leslie Wadena, Naytahwaush, MN, grandmothers, Linda Littlewolf, Naytahwaush, MN and Betty Taylor, Flandreau, SD, Uncle Jean Paul Roy, Flandreau, SD, along with many other aunts, uncles, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and many friends.

     He was preceded in death by his father, Josh Roy; beloved brother, Konrad Roy, First love, Jovan Willow uncles: Miles Roy, Mi-chael (Arnold) Roy, Theodore (Teddy Bear) Roy, and Isaac (Casey) Littlewolf; Aunts, Teresa Littlewolf and Jennifer Fyten; brothers: Michael A. Roy, Scott Anderson, Jr., Teddy Taylor, Toby Taylor, Kenneth Burshiem and paternal Grandparents, Gerald (Jerry) and Patricia Roy.

     Funeral services will be 1:00 pm on Tuesday, January 25, 2022 at Wicoicaga Otipi Community Center, Flandreau, with burial in First Presbyterian Cemetery, Flandreau. There will be two days of all-night wake services beginning at 7:00 on Sunday, January 23, 2022 at the Wicoicaga Otipi Community Center, Flandreau.