Funeral Service for Justin Edward Chanku Sr., Akicia Wowacin, 40, of Sisseton, South Dakota will be held on Monday, January 24, 2022 at 11:00 A.M. at the Sisseton Wahpeton Tribal Community Center, Agency Village, SD with Pastor Vern Donnell, Rev. Clifford Canku, and Milton Nippy Owen officiating. Drum Group will be the Eastman Boys. Pallbearers are Jessie Chanku, Woody Hawkins, Cyrus Hawkins, Dave Flute, Duane LaBelle Jr., Travis Henning, Wayne Cloud, and Lonnie Rodlund Jr. Honorary Pallbearers are SWO Desert Era Veterans, Jacenta Varns, Bud White, Dredan Milk, Nathan Nickeson, Andy Nickeson, Chris Nickeson, and Brian Rodlund Jr., Norbit Bellonger, Amber Adams, Geri Opsal, Michaeline Renville, and Timothy Max Jr. Interment will be in the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Veterans Cemetery, Sisseton, South Dakota with Military Rites by the United Vet Assoc, Desert Era Veterans, Kit Fox Society, and Sisseton Wahpeton American Legion Post #314. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton S.D, is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Justin Edward Chanku Sr. was born on December 12, 1981 to Deborah Chanku and Lonnie Rodlund. He lived in Sisseton, SD for most of his life and grew up attending Job Corps in Salt Lake City, UT, graduating in 2000. Justin then enlisted in the United States Army where he served three tours in Kosovo, Iraq and Kuwait and earned the honor of Sergeant while serving as a US Army Medic.

Justin then returned home after his tour where he worked as Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Veterans Service Officer in Sisseton, SD where he received the South Dakota Governors Award for Exemplary Service. Then worked as Security Director for the Dakota Magic Casino in Hankinson, ND. He also served on the Veblen City Council in Veblen, SD. He served under former Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Chairman Dave Flute as Legislative Aide. He served as Long Hollow District Chairman before pursuing his own term as the Long Hollow Tribal Council Representative.

Justin was actively involved in the SWO Tribal Desert Era Veterans and was recently serving as the Desert Era Commander. While serving as Long Hollow Tribal Councilman was instrumental in completion of the Sisseton Wahpeton Oyate Tribal Veterans Cemetery. Justin loved to spend time with his kids. He enjoyed going fishing, shooting, music and dancing. Justin especially loved dancing with his kids. He liked his pets and spent a lot of time with his dog, Gunner. Justin was also proud to be the commander of the Dessert Era Veterans.

Justin was presently working as Security Officer for the Sisseton Area Indian Health Service since 2020 and resided in Sisseton, SD. Justin met Kayline LaBelle in 2013 and later married. Within this union they had three children, Brylee and Jardani Chanku, JennaWilson, and adopted daughter Azlyn.

Sadly, on January 19, 2022, Justin age 40 passed away at Coteau Des Prairie Hospital surrounded by his family. Justin is survived by his wife, Kayline (LaBelle) Chanku and children Brylee and Jardani Chanku, and Jenna Wilson,; Jairus Chanku, Jourdes Chanku and Miles Chanku of Sisseton, SD; Justin Chanku, Jr. and Deyson Chanku of Sisseton, SD, his Dakota adopted daughter Azlyn Dwarf-Heminger of Sisseton, SD; his mother Deborah Chanku of Sisseton, SD; his father Lonnie Rodlund of Sisseton, SD; sisters Heather Chanku of Wahpeton, ND, Angelita Chanku of Sisseton, SD, Miranda Rodlund of Sisseton, SD, Amber Rodlund of Sisseton, SD, Natasha Rodlund of Sisseton, SD, Miranda DuMarce of Sisseton, SD, Loni Rodlund of Sisseton, SD; brothers Jessie Chanku of Sisseton, SD, Lonnie Rodlund Jr. of Sisseton, SD, Dontae Rodlund, Sisseton, SD; grandmother Lois Smith of Veblen, SD; Hunka Delano Renville of Sisseton, SD, two grandkids Raymond Eastman Jr. and Evelyn Wanna, and numerous nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by sister Leanne Rodlund; Paternal grandparents Melvin Chanku Sr. and Tina Renville; Maternal grandparents Edward Chanku and Annie Standfast.