Funeral Service for Thomas W. DeCoteau Sr. 65, of Aberdeen, SD will be held on Saturday, June 9, 2018 at 2:00 P.M. at the SWO Community Center, Agency Village, SD with Pastor Milton Owen and Mike Owen officiating. Pianist will be Billy Kohl.  Pallbearers will be Travis DeCoteau, Lenny Hayes, Kendell DeCoteau, Roland Erhardt, Alden Hayes Jr., Stephen Hayes and Thomas DeCoteau Jr. and Honorary pallbearers will be Bath Fertilizer group, Agtegra, family and friends, and fellow officers. Interment will be in the Ascension Presbyterian Cemetery, Big Coulee, SD. There will be all night wake services on Thursday, and Friday, June 7 and 8 at the SWO Community Center starting at 7:00 P.M. The Cahill Funeral Chapel, Sisseton, SD is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Thomas William DeCoteau was born on May 25, 1953 in Sisseton, SD to Ernest Wanna and Clarice DeCoteau. He attended school at Big Coulee Day School and Wilmot School. After school he moved to New Mexico and attended the Police Academy. After attending the academy he returned to the Sisseton area and worked for the Tribal Police Department, later became Chief of Police. Then the family moved to Rapid City, SD where he was employed by the highway patrol. After a few years, they moved to Aurora, CO and continued his career as a police officer. Tom moved back to Aberdeen area and worked at Agtegra.

Tom enjoyed watching TV, fishing, playing yahtzee, and working. His favorite food was bologna sandwiches and orange juice. Tom's favorite football team was the Denver Broncos and loved spending time with his kids and grandchildren especially around Pow-Wow time.

Thomas is survived by his children Tom DeCoteau Jr., Stephanie Erhardt, Travis DeCoteau, and William DeCoteau; siblings Colleen DeCoteau, Thelma DeCoteau, Arnold DeCoteau; eight grandchildren and one great granddaughter.

Thomas was preceded in death by his parents; brothers, Randolph Hayes, Kenny, DeCoteau, Richard Hayes, Donald DeCoteau, Leonard Hayes Jr.; sister, Karen Hayes; nephews, Eldon Hayes, Daris Hayes; niece, Lorleen Hayes Martin.