LEONARD HARE III

Funeral services for Leonard Hare were Monday, February 27 at the White Swan Community Center in Lake Andes. Burial was in the Hill Church Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Wagner, with military honors. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner was in charge of arrangements.

Leonard John John Hare III was born on March 15, 1971, in Chicago, Illinois to Leonard “Sonny” Hare Jr. and Betty Gale. He passed away on February 23, 2023, in Wagner of natural causes. His parents met while their families participated in the federal relocation program and his mother was a tour guide in the Sears Tower. Lenny, Yamni, or Three, as he was affectionately called by his family and friends, was raised on the family allotment in the Choteau Creek Community on the Yankton Indian Reservation. He was an enrolled member of the Ihanktonwan Nation and raised to be a strong Wiceyena Wicasa by his father. Lenny was also Leech Lake Ojibway on his mother’s side. His Indian name was Wiyaka Hoksina, Feather Boy. He was proud of his lineage from Tatanka Tokahe, First Buffalo, the family name before Hare.

Three was a member of the Wagner Community School class of 1989. He wrestled for the Wagner Red Raiders in the heavyweight class. He loved his ’76 Camaro, ’79 Trans Am, VW Bug, and Pontiac Grand AM. Three worked morning and after school shifts at Buches IGA throughout high school to support his interest in cars. During this time, he had many good times and created fond memories with friends.

In 1988, while still in high school, Three enlisted in the South Dakota Army National Guard. Three completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri one summer and the next summer Advanced Individual Training. His military occupational specialty was 12C Bridge Crewmember and was responsible for providing bridge and rafting support for the platoon. Three’s military training stuck with him throughout his life. He could de-construct and construct just about anything from structures to small engines and computer/gaming equipment. Three achieved the rank of E-3 before being honorably discharged.

Three married his high school sweetheart, Dawn Soulek. From this union, their daughter Amber Constance was born in Mountain Home, Idaho. Three later married Sara Dupris and welcomed their son Leonard “Maza” Hare IV in Billings, Montana. Three would always say, “Kids don’t come with an instruction book.” He tried his best to be a good father to his children and he cherished the time that he spent with Amber and Maza.

Three was a devoted son to his father Sonny. He traveled throughout the United States with his dad working on various projects including roofing in South Carolina in 1989 after Hurricane Hugo, construction projects in Iowa and Nebraska, and working as a slot technician at various Indian casinos. Three also traveled to many yuwipi, sundances, and powwows. He danced at Dan Old Elk’s Sundance in Montana and participated in ceremonies with his mother’s relatives in Minnesota. Three participated in Indian relay for a while, serving as a mugger which involves holding the horses while the rider exchanges horses. He attended the Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute and the Little Bighorn College. He was blessed with many experiences and friendships.

Three was easy going and would strike up a conversation with just about anyone. He had a good sense of humor and enjoyed teasing and laughing with friends and family. He would look forward to family and social events. We could always count on Three to help out anyone in need whether it was car repair, moving, yard work, cutting firewood, driving, or tinkering with bikes and anything electronic. He enjoyed cooking and would grow a small garden when he could. He also enjoyed fishing, digging turnips, and picking berries. He was an excellent shot with a rifle and could take a buffalo with one bullet.

Proceeding him in death are his mother Betty, father Sonny, paternal grandfather Leonard Hare Sr., paternal grandmother Viola Feather, Aunt Mary Ann Hare, cousin Lionel Hare Sr.

Left to mourn are his daughter Amber Constance (Drew Avant); son Leonard “Maza” Hare IV; brother Daniel Hare; sisters Nicky Mettler, Shannon Clairmont, Kimberly Hare, Florence Hare, Thomasina (Ken) Real Bird, Sade Hare; and grandchildren Takoda Hare, Michael Chasing Hawk, and Ava Simmons.