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James "Sonny" LaRocque, 76, of Aberdeen, SD, died Friday, January 15, 2016, at Avera Mother Joseph Manor Retirement Community in Aberdeen. Sonny's wishes were to be cremated and have his ashes spread in the mountains of the Lewistown, MT area.

There will be a memorial service on Saturday, January 23, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at the Church of Christ in Aberdeen, SD. Minister of Evangelist Zack Opheim will officiate. (www.thelenfuneralhome.com)

Sonny was born March 27, 1939, in Lewistown, MT, to James and Marie (LeMere) LaRocque. Sonny was raised in Roy, MT by his Aunt Sarah LaRocque. After attending school in Roy, Sonny joined the U.S. Navy and served on the USS Bonhomme Richard LHD6. Sonny was a Golden Glove boxer. He returned to Montana and started working in the construction field. He really enjoyed the fishing, hunting, rock picking, camping and hiking in the mountains. Another love of his was being a pitcher for the First Building fast pitch baseball team in Great Falls, MT. Sonny moved to Minnesota and designed and built a home for his family. He was a very good carpenter. At the age of 53, Sonny attended vocational school in Canby, MN to become a welder. Upon graduation, he moved to Bruce, SD, and welded for Twin City Fans in Brookings, SD. In 1994, he married Connie (Weideman) Johnson and remained in South Dakota until December 2003, when he returned to Montana to be close to his Aunt Sarah in the last years of her life.

Sonny filled his retirement days by making beaded necklaces, walking sticks, dream catchers, hat bands and painting on buffalo heads. Following a double knee replacement in March 2009, Sonny had a massive stroke. In August of 2010, he returned to Aberdeen and resided at Avera Mother Joseph Manor.

Sonny is survived by his wife, Connie of Aberdeen; his children: Eric LaRocque of Lewistown, MT, James (Gina) LaRocque of Great Falls, MT, Stacy LaRocque of Helena, MT, Dallas (Richard) Hanning of Great Falls, MT, Kristina LaRocque of Sioux Falls, SD, David (Jessica Hipple) LaRocque of West Fargo, ND, Amanda (Darrin) Aldinger of Beaver Bay, MN, and Raymond LaRocque of Duluth, MN; three step-children: Leo (Debra) Bierman of Aberdeen, Nicole Lohr of Tea, SD, and Jacob Bierman of Aberdeen; ten grandchildren; four step grandchildren; one great-grandson; and one step great-grandson. He is also survived by sisters: Clara, Thelma, Carol, Melody, Roberta, Elaine, and Sylvia; brothers: Alan and Steve; and many nieces and nephews.

Sonny was preceded in death by his parents; Aunt Sarah; sisters: Viola, Victoria, Carrie, and Belle; and brothers: Larry and Tony.

Saturday, January 23, 2016
10:30 AM - 11:30 AM

Church of Christ
1801 South Lincoln Street
Aberdeen, South Dakota 57401