Immediate family only Funeral Service for Leslie Joseph Barse Sr., Zuya Hoksina "Boy who went to war", 77, of Peever, SD  will be held on Friday, April 17, 2020 at 2:00 P.M. at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, Sisseton, SD with Rev. Fr. Jerry Ranek celebrant. Pall bearers will be Christian Barse, Dylan Wegleitner, Jay Barse, Dustin Barse, Larry Finley, and Troy Barse. Honorary Pallbearers will be Russell Hawkins, Maynard Beaudreau, Darrell DeCoteau Sr., Dennis Erickson, Ephraim RedReath and all of Les' Friends & Family. Drum Group will be the Old Agency Singers. Due to the Corona virus and social distancing there will be no wake services, there will be immediate family only visitation at St. Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church on Friday, from noon to 2:00 P.M.    Interment will be in the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Veterans Cemetery, Sisseton, SD with military rites by Kit Fox Society. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton SD is in charge of funeral arrangements.

On Saturday, April 11, 2020, Leslie Joseph Barse Sr. loving husband and father of six children, made his journey to be with the Lord.  Leslie was 76 years old when he died of natural causes.

Leslie was born on August 6th, 1943 at home in Peever. SD. to Frank Sr. and Violet (Renville) Barse; and, was united in a loving marriage with Kathleen Marie Eagle.

Leslie joined the US Marine Corp shortly after his graduation from the Flandreau Indian School. Upon leaving the service, he worked as a BIA Police Officer for the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribe, as a Police Officer for the City of Sisseton, and for the Tribal Police of Fort Totten, ND. This was fitting for him as he was a protector of the people he loved.

Leslie was a very proud veteran of the Vietnam War and advocated for SWO Veteran's, (he once spoke with artist Bruce Springsteen about attending a Pow Wow, not knowing who he was). Leslie was also part of the Vietnam Veteran Association and he proudly carried the flag into many Wacipi's, in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Oklahoma.

Leslie became involved in tribal government acting as Old Agency District Councilman and served many terms as the Old Agency Chairman. He was a strong advocate for the Tribe's early gaming operation, from the Bingo Hall to the Class 3 gaming compact. This was before the 1988 Indian Gaming Act, so it was very controversial. The Seminole Tribe of Florida was our partner and Chairman James Billie would come to visit often. He always wanted to see Leslie to say 'Hello', as they were both Vietnam Combat Veterans. During this time, he became the Supervisor of Surveillance for our first casino, the Dakota Sioux Casino. Many of the policies and procedures he implemented for the surveillance operations are still in use today.

Leslie had a passion for sports, he loved softball, mostly fast pitch. He and his brothers all played softball and attended many tournaments. They all were avid bowlers as well. In the mid to late 1970's Leslie put together a youth boxing club and went to many tournaments with the boys in the tristate area.

He was an excellent ceramic painter, he made many beautiful Native American lamps, ashtrays, and figures.

He was known for his kind heart, his storytelling, joking and his welcoming smile. His love for his pets started

when he was a boy and ended with a black lab named Hunter at the foot of his bed.

One of the greatest things everyone that respected and loved him knew, in Russell Hawkins words, "Les always

had my back!"

Leslie is survived by his wife, Kathleen Barse; Five children, Leslie Jr. (Rochelle) Barse of Sisseton, Lydell Barse of Minneapolis, MN., Lawren Barse of Sisseton, LaRae( Randy) Richter of Sisseton, and Lona Barse of Sisseton; Twelve brothers and sisters, Veronica Ojeda of Watertown, SD, Randy (Karen) Barse of Mohave Valley, Arizona, Brenda Solberg of Sisseton, SD, Frank Barse Jr. of Sisseton, SD, Peggy (Darrell) DeCoteau of Flandreau, SD, Faith (Dennis) Erickson of Egan, SD, Russell Barse of Peever, SD, Anita Barse of Flandreau, SD, David Barse of Agency Village, SD, and Donna Barse of Flandreau, SD., Eleanor Kirk of Agency Village, and Connie (Dean) Abraham; 26 grandchildren, 36 great-grandchildren.

Leslie was preceded in death by his Grandmother Grace, Parents, Daughter Loni Barse-Robertson, Two Granddaughters Hayley Wegleitner and Jordyn Barse, One, Grandson Lawren Barse Jr. Four brothers; Ronald Barse, Ernie Barse, Orville LaBatte, Stanley Barse, Four sisters; Frances Barse, Darlene Keoke, Jean Locke, Doris Barse, and hunka brother Floyd Kirk Sr.