Lewis Albert Barondeau (L.A.)

Onaka, SD

1937, 1793, Lodge, SP-4,

Lewis Barondeau's granddaughter shared information gathered from family members.

Lewis was involved with thinning and trimming tree branches. The lower tree branches were removed with an ax to promote better lumber. He drove a 6x6 truck loaded with granite from Mt. Rushmore through the hairpin curves on the way to Sylvan Lake. He walked on top of Mt. Rushmore and pulled trees out of Lincoln's nose.

Lewis Barondeau said that the CCC training was good training for what was to become WWII. He was a WWII veteran who landed at Normandy Beach.

Lewis Barondeau, 88, passed away November 4, 2008 in Conde.

Lewis was born to Frank and Lena (Goetz) Barondeau at Onaka, SD on March 2, 1920. He married Clara Deis January 10th, 1943 at San BueraVentura Mission at Ventura, California. Lewis joined the army February 27th 1942 serving his country in WWII driving tank and truck for the 35th Division in Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland, Central Europe, Belgium, Holland, Luxemburg, Germany and the Battle of The Bulge. He received his honorable discharge October 5, 1945, and returned to Onaka, SD to farm. Lewis and Clara moved to a farm near Conde, SD in the fall of 1949 and farmed there together until 1985 when they retired and built a home in Conde, SD.

Lewis enjoyed being a farmer and helped with the farm long after he retired. He was a member of St. John's Catholic Church, The Conde Legion Post, and the Turton VFW for over 50 years. He served on the township board for 30 years.

Lewis was honored for his service in WWII receiving The Knight of the Legion of Honor from the French Consulate in March 2007. Lewis enjoyed talking about his time "overseas," and was featured in the Life Section of the Sioux Falls Argus Leader May 27, 2001 written by his granddaughter as a personal tribute called "Celebrating Grandpa's Service." Lewis's personal recollection of WWII, recorded on DVD, is now part of the permanent collection of the Library of Congress through the Veterans History Project in Washington, DC. Additional information and pictures of Lewis are also a part of the book "Hometown Heroes Saluting Northeast South Dakota Veterans" published fall 2008.

Survivors include his wife of 65 years, Clara, of Conde, SD; two sons Lewis (Candy) of Lutherville, MD and Dwain (Judy) of Bismarck, ND; two daughters Rosemary (Lynn) Sanderson Conde, SD, and Margie (Dale) Washnok of Aberdeen, SD, 9 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 2 brothers Celestine (Mary) and Frank (Rhea) Barondeau of Onaka, SD, 1 sister-in-law, Cora Barondeau of Roscoe,1 brother-in-law, Louis Hagenlock of Gettysburg, and several nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, 4 brothers, and one sister.

Do you have additional information about Lewis Barondeau

We would like to included it. Please write or email us at History "at" SouthDakotaCCC "dot" org.