Funeral Service for Eugene "Geno", Mato Wasaka, "Strong Bear" DeMarrias, 77, of Sisseton, SD will be held on Thursday, February 28 at 1:00 P.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD with Jr. Heminger, Clifford "Coke" LaFontaine, Mike LaFontaine, and Clyde Kampeska officiating. Special music/speaker will be Butch Felix and Drum group will be Buffalo Lake Singers. Pallbearers will be Kenny Marks, Christopher DeMarrias, Joshua Shepherd, Mike White, Dean Iyarpeya, Todd Marks, Jeff DeMarrias, Eugene DeMarrias Jr., Jerrik DeMarrias, and Robert Huff. Honorary Pallbearers will be Leon Marks, Thomas "Hammy" Marks, Woodrow Wilson Dialysis Team, Robert "Bob" Lafromboise, Duane "Doc" Wanna, Gerald "GT" Thompson, Jack and Monna McBrayer, Laura Heminger, Ron, Wambdi, and Shayne Cook and nieces, Ginger Hill, Peggy King, Lolita Seaboy, Kayleen Mosser, Dawn Pilcher, Leona Iyarpeya, Sugar DeMarrias, and Marty Harmons. There will be a Wake Service on Wednesday, February 27, 2019 at 7:00 P.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Community Center. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, South Dakota is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Eugene "Geno", Mato Wasaka, "Strong Bear" DeMarrias, was born on June 18, 1941 to Jacob Sr. and Mercy (King) DeMarrias in Sisseton, South Dakota. He went to the Plankinton Training School, that is when he met Jack and Monna McBrayer. The McBrayer's took him in as their own and helped him finish high school in Kennebec, South Dakota. After high school he moved to Chicago, Illinois where he started and raised his family.  He worked and retired from Cummings, a coin counting machine manufacturing company. After retiring in 2004 he moved back home to Sisseton where he and his companion Sharon Marks started a life together.  He was active in the Buffalo Lake District and served on the Elderly Affairs board.  He enjoyed spending time at the casinos, visiting with friends and family, having family dinners,and playing dice and cards. He loved watching the Chicago Cubs and most importantly the Chicago Bears.  He liked going to powwows and taking care of his companion Sharon and sister Barbara King. Geno passed away suddenly on February 25, 2019 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota.

Geno was survived by his companion, Sharon Marks; Jack and Monna McBrayer of Mitchell SD; his six sons, Richard DeMarrias of Taos NM, Jarrott DeMarrias, Jeff (Michelle) DeMarrias, Eugene  DeMarrias Jr. all from Chicago Ill and Christopher (Tiffani) Demarrias of  Agency Village SD, Kenny Marks of Yankton SD;  three daughters, Ginger Hill of Chicago Ill, Collette Snelson of Carlos Minnesota, Sharon "Blue" Hengum of Oakes ND; four sisters Evelyn Pilcher of Sisseton SD, Isabelle "Jingles" DeMarrias of Sisseton SD, Barbara King of Agency Village SD and Carol Iron Moccasin of Buffalo Lake; two brothers Jacob "Jake"(Judy) DeMarrias Jr of Sisseton SD and Kirk DeMarrias of Browns Valley MN; many cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Geno was preceeded by his parents Jacob Sr. and Mercy (King) DeMarrias; brothers Robert "Cowboy" DeMarrias, Floyd DeMarrias, Lincoln DeMarrias; sisters Kimberly DeMarrias and Carole Crawford; and his daughter Jessica DeMarrias.