Funeral Service for Helena Gail DuMarce-LaBatte, "Hopsti,"  Skuya Win, 60, of Watertown, SD will be held on Friday, May 31, 2024, at 2:00 P.M. at the Veblen District Center, Veblen, SD with Rev. Jerome Renville officiating.  Drum Group Cook Boys. Pall bearers will be Wade DuMarce, Sr., Waylon DuMarce, Cory Shepherd Jr., Todd St. John, Keenan Ojeda, and Tristen LaBatte. Honorary Pall Bearers will be the 38 Riders + 2, Women Horse Society, Mni Wiconi, and All Helena's friends and relatives. Interment will be in the Mayasan Cemetery, Claire City, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of arrangements.

Helena DuMarce was born on December 9th, 1963, to Sampson DuMarce and Barbara (St. John) DuMarce in Sisseton, SD. She started her journey to the star camp on May 26, 2024, in Watertown, SD surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Helena's Dakota caze is Skuya Win, or Sweet Woman. Helena attended Tekakwitha Boarding School, then received her GED and took classes at Sisseton Wahpeton College. She was with Ron Owen for many years and had her three children with him, Dacia, Devlin, and Stephen who she cherished dearly. She was married previously to Alcott Brant Sr, and then after her marriage ended, was married to Tim LaBatte for 19 years before going their separate ways. She was proud to be called "Aunty Mom" by her stepchildren. She had a life full of hard work and adventure. She worked in construction as a contractor, was part of various tribal boards and committees, and was a fierce advocate for women and children. She was a Sundancer which grounded her in her life. She was at Standing Rock for the NoDAPL protests and brought the horse nation and continued her fight for clean water here in SWO tribal lands. She participated in the Dakota 38+2 ride for many years, attended and presented at the Cobell Buy Back Grants Conference in Washington, D.C. Helena helped and hosted many youth horse camps throughout the years, as she strongly believed the horse nation would bring healing. This journey led her to the Dakota Prayer Ride and Water Walk, where she recognized the women and children involved during the Dakota War and our inherent belief that Water is Life. Helena will be dearly missed by her family, friends, and many other relatives.

Helena is survived by her mother Barbara Heminger; children Dacia Shepherd, Devlin DuMarce and Stephen DuMarce all of Watertown, SD; Step Children Brendan (Missy) LaBatte, Branden LaBatte, Rachel LaBatte, and Tristen LaBatte; adopted sons, Dillion Blue Dog, Chris Fayant, and Nate Shepherd;  her brothers Wade (Rose) DuMarce Sr. of Rosholt, SD, Waylon (Holly) DuMarce of Sisseton, SD, and Sampson DuMarce Jr. of St. Paul, MN, ; 6 sisters Tammie DuMarce of Sisseton, SD, Debbie DuMarce of Sisseton, SD,  Cynthia (David) DuMarce of Agency Village, SD, Brenda DuMarce of Peever, SD, Maxine DuMarce of Sisseton, SD and Joyce Dumarce of Sioux Falls, SD;  9 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren; aunts Ramona St. John and Ambrose St. John, Clarine Everette, Lilly Renville, June Blanton, and Yvonne Bear.

Helena was preceded in death by her father Sampson DuMarce Sr.; nephew Conrad DuMarce-German, 4 uncles, 1 aunt, and stepdad Alexander Heminger.