Reneeann Kewley

Reneeann C. Kewley was born Sept. 12, 1947 in Pine Ridge, S.D.
As a small child Renee grew up on and off the reservation before finally settling in Custer, S.D., with her mother, Freda. Renee attended Custer public schools before going off to boarding school and eventually graduating from OCS in Pine Ridge.
After graduating Renee moved to California to attend cosmetology school. To help make ends meet she also worked as an aide at a local nursing home.
Renee was one of the kindest hearted people on this earth. She was the best “Mom,” sister, auntie, grandma, friend anyone could hope to have. She told so many stories of her life adventures, especially about living in California. The earthquakes, the ocean and the cities she visited but none more shocking to her kids than that she was a “hippie.” She was even part of the Occupation of Alcatraz for a very brief time in the late ’60s, early ’70s. Soon after, she moved back to Custer to help family when her brother was severely injured.
Her work career in Custer included The State Hospital, and when it closed she worked for many years cleaning motels and private residences and married the love of her life, Wayne, and helped with his children, Mike and Anna.
Renee never had any children of her own, so as her sister started having children she took to them as if they were her own. She also claimed countless others.
Renee was hilarious; you always knew you were going to have a good time even if it was only a trip to the grocery store. Always the jokester, always smiling.
For the past three years Renee battled health issues she just could not overcome. So now she’s with her Momma and she has her husband back. No more pain will come to her; she will be missed more than words can express. She will watch over us and protect us. She is not gone, her love is in our hearts and we will take her with us everywhere we go.
Reneeann’s mom came to take her home and end her suffering. Reneeann passed away at Monument Health Hospice house in Rapid City, S.D., Feb. 6, 2022, surrounded by the loving arms of her children. She was 74.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Wayne Kewley; and her mother, Freda Goodsell.
Reneeann is survived by her dad, Vern Goodsell of Custer; sister, Jaclyn (Mick) Buffington of Custer; brother, Heath Goodsell, nephew, Corbin Goodsell, and niece Tristin Goodsell, all of Rapid City; sister, Donna Treloar of Tucson, Ariz. She was second mom to Tameka Van Horn of  Gillette Wyo., Tesha Buffington of Rapid City and Cody Buffington of  Buffalo, S.D. She was step-mom to Mike (Cheryl) of Kewley, Idaho and Anna Delaney of Custer. She loved being Grandma Renee to Avery, Ryatt, Christina, Christian, Garrett and Sara.
No formal church service will be done, per Renee’s instructions.
A one-night wake took place Feb. 14 at Chamberlain-McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.
A Traditional Lakota took place Feb. 15 at at the funeral home.
Arrangements have been placed in the care of Chamberlain McColley’s Funeral Home in Custer.    Condolences may be left at chamberlainmccolleys.com