RAPID CITY - Robert L. "Bob" Beaudreau Sr., 80, passed away peacefully Thursday, June 9, 2011, at Golden Living Center.

He was born Sept. 26, 1930, at Cass Lake, Minn., to Louis and Emily (Fineday) Beaudreau. He was a member of the White Earth Tribe. Robert was raised on the Leech Lake Reservation and at the age of 16 entered the U.S. Army in 1947. He served as a Sergeant in the Korean War until 1952. He returned to Minnesota and met his wife, Evelyn Bad Wound. They moved to Igloo, working at the Army Depot. Three children were born while there, Robert Jr., Elaine and Audrey. They then moved to Oakland, Calif., on the Indian Relocation program, where Robert successfully completed an HVAC program. Their fourth child, William Joseph, was born in Oakland. The family moved back to the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation, where two other children were born, Mary and James. At this time Bob secured a position with the Indian Health Service, and after 35 years he retired as the hospital facility manager.

Bob and Evelyn also raised three of their nephews after Evelyn's sister, Lema, passed on. Their hunka sons are Ted Standing Soldier, Steve Standing Soldier and Ed Standing Soldier. Bob and Evelyn always had lots of children staying with them besides the nine of their own. They kept many nieces, nephews and boarding school children over the years.

Bob enjoyed hunting and fishing throughout his life and was known as a master sportsman. He passed these traits on to his sons and grandchildren. Bob and Evelyn spent much of their energy in producing wild game and natural food, such as drying corn, making baba saka, picking timpsala and gardening.

Bob is survived by two sons, Willie Beaudreau and James Beaudreau, both of Rapid City; hunka sons, Ted Standing Soldier of Rapid City and Steve Standing Soldier of Kyle; three daughters, Elaine Beaudreau of Andover, Minn., Audrey Beaudreau of Valentine, Neb., and Mary Beaudreau of Rapid City; grandchildren, Robert Roubideaux, Billy Palmier, Lowell Beaudreau, Rose Marian, Nicole Olson, Vincent Patton, Isaiah Beaudreau, Stephanie Iron Cloud, and Zachary Goings; numerous great-grandchildren; and a brother, Duane Beaudreau of Cass Lake, Minn.

His family and friends will miss him greatly.

Funeral services will be at 10 a.m. today at Edstrom & Rooks Funeral Services with the Rev. Dave Matzko officiating.