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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 Lauren “Chipper” Leroy Herrick, Jr.
Lauren “Chipper” Leroy Herrick, Jr.

Born: October 13, 1957
Journeyed to the Spirit World: September 26, 2020

Lauren “Chipper” Leroy Herrick Jr., age 62, passed away peacefully September 26, 2020 at his home with his family by his side. He was born October 13, 1957, in Flandreau, SD, to Lauren Herrick Sr. and Nancy Robertson. Lauren attended high school at Flandreau and got his GED. He joined the United States Marine Corps and served from 1975 to 1977 as a rifle marksman. Lauren had four children with Verzella (Jones): Tanya, Larry, April and Ashley. In 1998, he married the love of his life, Sherry Haaf, and the two of them lived in Flandreau; buying a house that Lauren considered “main street living”. Lauren worked at Woods Welding for many years as a welder. He also worked for the Flandreau Santee Sioux Tribe; mostly in the Commodities Department, but he also helped in other departments as well as served on many committees. Lauren was dedicated to his wife, children, and grandchildren. He had passions for fishing, Harleys, and wood working; enjoyed tinkering with engines and cars; and spending time at the casinos. He also had a love for animals; a trait he passed down to his children.

Lauren is survived by his wife, Sherry; four children Tanya (Philip) Andersen and Larry Herrick, both of Flandreau, April (Shaun) Herrick, of Trent, SD, and Ashley (Mark) Janovec of Crosby, TX; his mother, Nancy Herrick; his two sisters Laureen (Brian) Herrick, of Brandon, SD and Laura Herrick, of Flandreau; his brother James Herrick of Sioux Falls, SD; 12 grandchildren; one great-grandchild; and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his brother-in-law Duane (Marsha) Haaf, of Webster, WI; his sister-in-law Gwen (Gary) Hanold, of Blaine, MN; two nephews Dean Haaf, of Mahtomedi, MN and Douglas Haaf, of Aitkin, MN. Lauren was preceded in death by his Father, Lauren Sr.; his brother Larry; and his uncles and aunts.

Funeral services will be 1:00 pm on Tuesday, September 29, 2020 at the Wicoicaga Otipi Community Center, Flandreau. Military rites will be provided by the Kelley-Porter American Legion Post #70 and the Gordon Weston Indian Veterans Post. Private family interment will take place at a later date. An all night wake service will begin at 7:00 pm Monday at the Community Center with the visitation open to public beginning at 6:00 pm.