Fred H. “Babe” Drapeau, Jr., 75

Babe died Monday, August 3, 2026 at the Community Memorial Hospital in Wagner. Funeral services are 1 PM, Friday, August 7, 2026 at the Wagner National Guard Armory. Burial is in the Cedar Presbyterian Cemetery, rural Lake Andes. Wake services will be held Wednesday and Thursday at the Armory.

Fred Drapeau Jr., affectionately known as "Babe," was born on Saturday September 19th, 1950, in Winnebago, Nebraska, to Jeanette Hollowell and Fred Drapeau Sr. He passed away peacefully on Monday August 3rd, 2026, leaving behind a lifetime of memories and a legacy of love, laughter, and kindness.

Babe spent his early years growing up in Chicago, Illinois, where he worked as an X-ray Assistant at Saint Therese Hospital. When his parents and younger siblings relocated to the Yankton Sioux Reservation in South Dakota, Babe eventually decided to join them. In true Babe fashion, he made the unforgettable journey by riding his bicycle from Chicago to the Yankton Sioux Reservation—a testament to his determination, resilience, and adventurous spirit.

Throughout his life, Babe was a hardworking man who took pride in every job he held. After returning to the Yankton Sioux Reservation, he worked for the Yankton Sioux Tribe Farm Program and later for the Yankton Sioux Tribe Sanitation Program. He also worked as a porter at Fort Randall Casino before returning to work for the Yankton Sioux Tribe, where he spent many years mowing lawns—a job he thoroughly enjoyed and took great pride in.

Babe embraced life with enthusiasm and found happiness in the simple things. He loved hunting, fishing, playing video lottery, throwing horseshoes with his buddies, foraging for prairie turnips, plums, chokecherries, and mushrooms, putting together puzzles, woodworking, watching westerns and action movies, and taking peaceful drives along the river bottom roads. He fondly remembered sledding down the hills of Greenwood after a fresh snowfall, loved spending time playing with his faithful dog, Barney, and looked forward to the many family gatherings held at his mother's loving home.

More than anything, Babe treasured time with his family. Whether he was teaching a grandchild how to fish, making homemade popcorn for his grandchildren, or stopping to visit with everyone he met, he made people feel welcome and valued. If Fred teased you and followed it with one of his signature hearty punches on the arm, you knew you were someone special to him. His playful humor, generous heart, and friendly spirit left lasting impressions on all who knew him.

Babe lived a full and blessed life surrounded by family and friends. His kindness, work ethic, storytelling, laughter, and unwavering love for those around him will be deeply missed but never forgotten.

He is survived by his siblings, Judith Pena, Victor Drapeau, Ramona Drapeau, and Hunka sister Lavina Cook along with many other family members, friends, and loved ones whose lives he touched. He was preceded in death by his parents, Jeanette Hollowell and Fred Drapeau Sr., and by his siblings, Andrew Drapeau, Audrey Faith, Betty Drapeau, Marion Weston, Roberta Ketcheshono, Linda Zephier, Thomas Drapeau, and Debra Drapeau

Though our hearts are heavy with his passing, we find comfort in the countless memories he gave us and the lessons he shared through his life. His spirit will continue to live on in every fishing trip, every drive through the river bottoms, every shared bowl of popcorn, every horseshoe game, and every smile sparked by a good-hearted joke.

Rest peacefully, Babe. Your journey here is complete, but your love, laughter, and legacy will remain in our hearts forever.

Pallbearers: Dustin Honomichl Jr., Jacoby Honomichl, Albert Pena, Nickalas Schroeder, Brannon Bruguier, Brycen Bruguier, Justin's SongHawk, David Axdahl

Honorary Pallbearers

All of his friends, relatives, members of the Yankton Sioux Tribe, and all of the members of the Wagner Community.