Owen Dean German

Funeral Service for Owen Dean German, Tiomanipi "Walking around the house," 81, of Peever, SD will be held on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at 10:00 A.M. at the Nelson Community Center , Peever, SD with Pastor Nippy Owen and CRE Gerald Heminger, Jr. officiating. Pianist will be Billy Kohl. Drum Group will be Dakota Outlaws. Pallbearers will be Charlie Tiomanipi, Merle Tiomanipi, Delvin Lufkins, Dusty Robertson, Thomas German, Taylor German, Zephran Bone, and Cody Toutges. Honorary Pall Bearers will be Gary Owen, Pastor Nippy Owen, Pete Owen, Beaman Seaboy, Wayne German, Sr., Lorraine German, Donny Backman, Sonny German, David Cloud, Mike Jensen, Tom Hansen, Elaine Herniman, Josh Laughter, Joyce Niles, Paul Keeble, Doug Niesen, Irene Rondell, Marlowe Vriem, Dale McKay, and Jon Eagle. Interment will be in the Owen German Family Cemetery, Peever, SD. There will be Wake Services on Sunday, February 1, 2026, and Monday, February 2, 2026, at 7:00 P.M. at the Nelson Community Center, Peever, SD. The Cahill Funeral Chapel is in charge of funeral arrangements.

Owen Dean German was born on March 25, 1944, to John "Jack" German and Amelia (Owen) German in Sisseton, SD. He attended Agency Township School through the 8th grade. His teacher was Clarice (Lake) Fredrickson. On June 4, 1964, he married Florestine Renville and had four children - Merle, DelRay, Scott and Gabrielle. In 1965 he was a part of the Relocation Program and moved to Fargo, ND to attend job training in Diesel Mechanics and Maritime Mechanics. In 1967 he returned to Sisseton to work for Sisseton High School as the Bus Mechanic. In 1970, himself and Robin Renville were the first police officers of the Sisseton Wahpeton Sioux Tribal Police Force. In 1975 he was in the United Sioux Tribes Employment Training Program in Sisseton. He was then hired by the Bureau of Indian Affairs Roads Department in 1980 as the Heavy Equipment Operating Engineer, from which he retired in 2006. After a short break he gain employment at the Dakota Western Corporation in 2007 as the CDL Driver until 2018. He was a lifelong member of Ascension Presbyterian Church in Big Coulee. His love of horses lead him to become a founding member of the Dakota Riders Saddle Club, the Big Springs Saddle Club, and the Hidden Valley Saddle Club. He rode with UNITY Riders which traveled from Canada to Montana. He was the Big Coulee District Chairman and District Coordinator from 1979-1982. He enjoyed playing baseball and softball and attended local tournaments and the UTTC Softball Tournament for many years. He was an avid hunter and trapper. He was well known as the "Community Vet" and was a lifetime rancher and farmer. Owen Dean was known throughout the community as gifted horseman. We remember him as a strong but gentle man. He was hardworking and committed to helping the community. He was generous with his time, a true Dakota Ikce Wicasta that never expected any form of payment for the help and support he gave. Owen passed away on January 29, 2026, at the Wilmot Care Center, Wilmot, South Dakota.

Owen is survived by his wife, Florestine German-Renville of Peever, SD; three children DelRay (Audrey) German of Sisseton, SD, Scott German of Peever, SD and Gabrielle Tiomanipi of Peever, SD; one sister Alta German of Wilmot, SD, Hunka sisters Sandra, Marge, and Olga Bone of Sioux Valley, MB; grandchildren Dionne Crawford, Rachael German, Blossom Tiomanipi, Charlie Tiomanipi, Merle Tiomanipi, Gabriel Tiomanipi, and Zella Tiomanipi; great grandchildren Maya, River, and Wakinyan; sisters-in-law Lorrine German and Chyrel DeCoteau both of Peever, SD.

Owen was preceded in death by his parents John and Amelia (Owen) German; one son Merle German; one granddaughter, Maya German; Hunka father Gordon Bone; two sisters, Marlene Ironheart, and Rosella Heminger; brothers Smokey German, Hunka brother Robert Bone, Hunka brother Bucky Pilcher; brother-in-law, Francis Punchie