Leonard Dean Rouillard

Leonard Dean Rouillard was born on June 13, 1973 in Pine Ridge, SD to William Top Bear and Judy Rouillard. Leonard made his journey to the Spirit World on January 12, 2026 in Kyle, SD.
Leonard Dean Rouillard was a well-known singer and songwriter whose love for music began at age four when he received his first drum. Guided by his mentor and uncle, John Around Him, Leonard was taken everywhere to sing and later traveled and sang with John Around Him and Steve Dubray Sr. Over the years, he formed many lifelong bonds through music, sharing his voice at Sundances, powwows, and ceremonies where his songs carried prayer, tradition, and meaning.
Through the powwow trail, Leonard met TashinaSapa Thunder Hawk, the mother of his children, Janea and Corbin, and together they began a journey rooted in family, music, and tradition. Leonard was later blessed to become a papa on May 11, 2025 (Mother's Day) to his granddaughter, Šota Shay. During his time of illness, his love for her gave him strength and hope, and he focused on healing and living for her.
Leonard earned a Bachelor's Degree in Carpentry from San Juan College in Farmington, New Mexico, reflecting his dedication, craftsmanship, and strong work ethic.
Leonard Dean Rouillard will be remembered for his voice, his songs, and the love he carried for his family and community. His spirit lives on in the music he shared and the lives he touched. Travel well, Dad. You will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
Leonard is survived by his mother, Judy Rouillard; hunka mother, Dolly Iron Hawk; sisters & brothers, Monica, Shilo, & Garfield "Blondie" Rouillard; granddaughter, Šota Shay LeBeaux; mother of his children, TashinaSapa Thunder Hawk; children, Janea & Corbin Rouillard; nephews & nieces, Zayden, Hailey, Keya, & Ayra Mesteth; aunts, Jackie (Matthew) Eagle Heart, Bea Rouillard, Dana & Ben Fire Thunder, Lee Tenorio; and numerous nephews, nieces, & cousins.
Leonard was preceded in death by his father, William Top Bear; grandparents, Seymour & Jane Rouillard, Seymour, Jr., Gerald Rouillard, Chauvyn Belile, Maynard Iron Hawk, Yamni Rouillard, Craig Charging Crow, Cerwin Condon, Catherine Belile, Edith Bennett, and Ira Wright.
Pallbearers will be Roger Mills, Bruce LeClaire, Dusty Phelps, Shane Garnanez, Ted Phelps, Waylon Gaddie, Buzz Phelps, and Nathan Bennett.
Honorary Pallbearers will be Eagle Mountain, Shiprock Agency/Allaround Boys, Outlawz, Pass Creek Singers, Three Mile Creek Singers, Midnite Express, SiTanka Wokiksuya '89, Stoney Park, Sun Eagle, Yellow Jacket Singers, Ironwood Singers, Red Leaf Singers, Trail Mix, Mystic River, Wicozani, The Horses, Sharpshooter, Lanelle & Harley Young, Helene Gaddie, Melvin Young Bear & Son, The Phelps Family, Kenny Brown & Family., Late Coleman Beaver & Family, Mike King & Family, Jerry, Jennifer & Byron Wilson & Family, Herman & Carol Yazzie & Family, Santee Witt & Family, Carleen Vigil & Family, Kimo Chee & Family, George Apple & Family, Albert & Jr White Hat & Family, Iris & Family, Nancy Rouillard, Virginia Irving, Frank Sherwood & Family, Brandon McBride & Family, Jo White & Family, Jerome LeBeaux & Family, Roger Mills & Family, Tyson Mills & Family, Chepa Little Sky & Family, Justin Pourier & Family, Lucille Harris & Family, Dee Family of TDK, Leonard Crow Dog, Jr. & Family, Nellie Bull Bear & Family, Adeline Concha & Family, Faron Old Horse & Family, Shawn "Coon Dog" Cuny, Chanda & Aspen Rendon, Lou & Gabe Garnanez, Chancelor Benally, Callo Silver, Verlin Johson, Hosteen Valencia, Harold Dechilly, Guy Begay, Bill & Cathy Manus, Lyle Jones, Howard Bad Hand, Delvin Keeswood, Jr & Jack Williams, Late Gerald Garnanez, Matthew Sheka, Sr., Heath Stands, Charlie White Buffalo, Percy White Plume, Alex White Plume, Jim Garrett, Arvol Looking Horse, Norma & Dougie Brown Bull, Lynne Hernandez, Steve & Lolita DuBray, Pamela Attack Him, Late Melvin Mills, Nick Tilsen, Mike Carlow, Jr., Dolly Iron Hawk, Reuben Crow Feather, Sr., Vern Top Bear, Steph Brewer, Chepa Two Eagles, Waka Wacin Blindman, MJ Bull Bear, Stacie Esquibel, Around Him Family, Has No Horse Family, Keeswood Family, Toledo Family, Thunder Hawk Family, LeBeaux Family, Bennett Family, Afraid of Hawk Family, Dearly Family, Condon Family, Haungooah-Eisenberger Family, Stanley Little Whiteman, and All Friends & Relatives.
Wake Services: Two night wake service starting at 1:00 PM, Saturday, January 24, 2026 at the Phelps Residence near Sharp's Corner, SD with evening services starting at 7:00 PM each night and Traditional Singers/Pow-Wow/Sundance Roll Call following services at 7:00 PM, Sunday, January 25, 2026.
Funeral Services: 11:00 AM, Monday, January 26, 2026 at the Phelp's Residence near Sharp's Corner, SD
Traditional Lakota Services: Steve DuBray, Sr.
Burial Services: Final resting place by his grandmother Jane at the Mediator Episcopal Cemetery, Kyle, SD
Arrangements entrusted with the Sioux Funeral Home of Pine Ridge, SD