Stephen Cournoyer Jr, 69, of Marty

Stephen died Tuesday, October 20, 2020 at the Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls. Visitation will be held at the Marty Indian School Gym on Friday with Wake Services at 7 PM. Funeral services are 1 PM, Saturday, October 24, 2020 at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Marty. Peters Funeral Home in Wagner is in charge of arrangements.

Stephen Norbert Cournoyer Jr. was born in Wagner on September 20, 1951, the son of Stephen Sr. and Pearl (LaDeaux) Cournoyer. On October 20, 2020 he made his journey to the Spirit World at Avera Heart Hospital in Sioux Falls with four of his children by his side.

Steve grew up and spent most of his life around Marty. He was the oldest of fourteen children. His school years were spent at St. Paul's Indian Mission School. In high school he met the love of his life, Peggy Goodteacher. They were married 44 years and had five beautiful children.

Steve graduated high school in 1969. He then went to California to a trade school and completed training for master plate and pipe welding. He also completed a building and maintenance course at UTTC in Bismarck and started coursework at Yankton College towards a business degree.

Steve was a man that had many skills and took pride in his work. He was a farmer, started a construction company, Tribal chairman and councilman, maintenance worker and facilities manager. He knew basic plumbing, welding and car repairs.

Steve enjoyed hunting and visiting. He was a tour guide for hunters. He passed his hobby onto his sons and grandsons. He was a hard worker and good provider to his family. He taught his children well. His children jokingly called him "leader". He always told them to lead not follow. He was proud of his children's and grandchildren's accomplishments and knew they would fulfill the rest of his dreams.

Steve is survived by his children: Stephen III and his kids - Stephen IV, Gabriel and Zachary; Denis of Mission and his kids - Kennyon, Raven and Slade; Jennifer of Marty and her kids - Amanda, Emilio and Essence; Jodi (Don Tinklepaugh) of Sioux Falls and her kids - Annabeth and Alexandra; Bess (Anthony Aadland) of Flandreau and her kids - Madison and Noah; his great-grandchildren: Ava, Addisyn, Drako and Henri; his siblings: Raymond, Donald, Thomas, Faith, Mark, Agnes, Gary, Jody, Vincent, Baptiste and Gerald; and many relatives and friends.

Steve was preceded in death by his wife Peggy, his parents Steve and Pearl and his brothers Robert and Gregory.