Funeral Service for Calvin J. Rondell, 82, of Waubay, SD will be held on Monday, January 19, 2009 at10:00 A.M. at St. James' Episcopal Church, Enemy Swim, South Dakota with the Rev. Charles Chan, Rev. Conrad Ciesel, and Rev. Les Campbell officiating. Pallbearers will be Robert Cadotte, Jr., Calvin Cadotte, Francis Cadotte, Christopher Rondell, Nathan Rondell, Jesse Rondell, Douglas Rencountre, and Stefan Shepherd. Honorary pallbearers will be Rev. Les Campbell, Richard Zephier, Leroy Quinn Sr., Dale Augustson, Jeff Shepherd, Elroy LeBeau, Jerry Flute, Gerald Heminger Jr., Leonard Owens and Floyd Decoteau. Military Rites by the Woodrow Keeble American Legion Post #314. Interment will be in the St. James' Episcopal Cemetery, Enemy Swim, South Dakota. There will be a wake service on Saturday, January 17, 2009 at 7:00 P.M. at the Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD. There will be an all night wake on Sunday, January 18, 2009 starting at 7:00 P.M. at St. James Episcopal Church, Enemy Swim, SD.
Calvin John Rondell was born on August 4, 1926 in Waubay, SD to John and Jessie (Deere) Rondell. He attended Flandreau Indian School where he graduated from high school. Following graduation he entered the United Stated Marines and served from March 1944 to May 1946, and served in the United States Army from September 1950 to April 1952. He received the rank of Sgt. in both Armed Services. Calvin was united in marriage to Nellie Owen in November 1954 in Day County, South Dakota. They lived in the Waubay area, Denver, CO and return to Waubay in 1958 where they made their home. Nellie passed away on October 4, 1967. Calvin worked for the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate before retiring as compliance officer for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. His hobbies included reading, carpentry and working for the church. Calvin was a lifelong member of St. James' Episcopal Church, where he served as Senior Catechist and was a member of the Sisseton Mission Council and served as Chairman in 2006. He was "a living treasure" to all in the Sisseton Mission. Calvin also belonged to the Brotherhood of St. Andrew's. He was a member of Woodrow Keeble American Legion Post #314 and a past member of the Waubay School Board. Calvin passed away on January 16, 2009 at Sanford Hospital, Sioux Falls, SD.
Calvin is survived by six children, Valorie Augustson of Waubay, SD, Irene Rondell of Waubay, SD, Owen Rondell of Watertown, SD, John Rondell of Waubay, SD, James Rondell of Ortley, SD and Fredrick Rondell of Watertown, SD; fifteen grandchildren, and fourteen great grandchildren.
Calvin was preceded in death by his parents, Jessie and John Rondell, two daughters, Frances and Jessica Rondell, one sister, Irene Shepherd, and one great-great grandson, Aiden Robert Reese.