Austin Boyd Janis

On Jan. 15, 2012 God called Austin Janis home to compete in the biggest show of all.

Austin Boyd Janis was born on Sept. 14, 1987 in Chamberlain, SD to Ben Janis and Kara Gourneau. He graduated from Lyman high school in 2006 where he participated in football, wrestling, track, and rodeo.

Although he loved all sports, he was most known for and loved bareback riding. Austin put his heart into everything he set his mind to; he especially had a passion for working with horses.

Austin worked on several local ranches. His most recent employment was training performance horses for the Brian Fulton Ranch and also worked for the Rosebud Sioux Tribal Ranch. He was hard working and always willing to lend a helping hand.

Austin lived to chase his dream of becoming a PRCA bareback rider. He made his name in the Indian Rodeo Circuit and recently began competing in PRCA rodeos all over the region in hopes of qualifying for the National Finals Rodeo.

Austin left behind his only son, Morgan Benny Janis; his father Ben Janis; his mother Kara (Mel Dean) Rank; four sisters: Lacey (Tim) Wells, Sammi Jo, Kasey Lynn, and Brooke Marjorie; three brothers: Jordan Blaine, Elliot Bart, and Bryce Benny; two step-brothers: Mel Rank, Jr. and Dwight Rank; nieces and nephews: Tanna, Teagan, Kelsyn, and Kinley; grandparents Lee and Kay Gourneau; and many special aunts, uncles, and cousins too numerous to mention. Austin also leaves behind the love of his life, fiance Dusti Hippen.

The family would like to express their thanks to: Bill and Guyla Jandreau and family from Eagle Butte; grandma Nita Ness; Fay and Bert; Lori and Larry Ness and family; Bart and Tonya Ness and family; and Marty and Sindi Jandreau and family. Each touched Austin’s heart in so many ways.

Preceding him in death were his great-grandparents Ben and Mabel Driving Hawk; grandparents Gilbert Janis and Marjorie Pickner; uncles: Dean Jandreau, Blaine Gourneau, Grover Fallis, and Jim Hathman; cousins J.D. Jandreau and Bridger Jandreau; step-brother Shiloh Rank; special grandparents John and Ruby Hippen; and a family friend Dennis Donovan.