Rochelle Barbara Lakota

Rochelle Barbara Lakota, 8-26-1940, of Peoria Heights, Illinois passed peacefully under hospice care at the Farmington Village Nursing Home on Sunday, June 29, 2025 at 1:00 am at the age of 84. Rochelle was a waitress, hair stylist, antique collector and aficionado, a good cook, a woman known throughout all walks of people in Peoria, a rebel- free spirit, lover of the African American community and culture and proud Lakota Sioux Indian. Rochelle is the daughter of Margaret Deko and Roxwell Lakota, whom predeceased her, and stepdaughter of Lena Lakota, who also predeceased her. Rochelle’s siblings are Richard Deko, Gwen Lakota (Augustyn) and husband Richard Augustyn, and Karen and Roxwell J. Lakota, Jr. and his wife Loretta. Rochelle had four beloved children to whom she committed her life and raised together with Joseph C. Borsellino, Sr., Don Kevin Borsellino, Joseph C. Borsellino, Jr. with wife Sharna (Small) Borsellino, Shawn Anthony Borsellino, who predeceased her with daughter in law Katherine (Goodman) Borsellino, Tara Lynn Borsellino with son in law Darren Humes. Rochelle’s grandchildren are Nicole Borsellino with great grandchildren, Kota, Jalen and Tyse (“TJ” – the sparkle in her eye), Lance Borsellino, Ashley Borsellino with great grandchild Aiden, Joseph III and Sicily Borsellino (her pride and joy) and Lena and Skyler Everett and Molika (Ingrahm) Ginyard. Rochelle’s nieces and nephews are Tracey and Richie Augustyn, Celeste, Scott, Kirk and Shelly, and Brian, Douglas and Austin Lakota. Rochelle leaves her dearest cousin Dorothy Jo Lakota and her sister Elliida and Dorothy Jo’s children, Jimmy (Lakota) Edwards with son Skyler, Jason (Lakota) Edwards and Cody (Lakota) McKay with daughter, Joselyn. Rochelle leaves with gratitude for her best friends, Dawn Dunkin and James Jones. She extends her gratitude to the loving people of Farmington Village Nursing Home, especially to Kim Thomas. Rochelle wants her family and friends to know that she loves them, that she lived a good life and that she was ready to go home to Mother Earth, The Great Spirit and her ancestors. Rochelle enjoyed a beautiful Lakota send off in Farmington with Ceremonial Drum and Dancers in Regalia before she passed. She did not want a funeral but that her remains be spread in sacred Lakota country. She asks that we all listen for her in the winds. She died with a humble and generous heart. Those who loved her most by were in contact and by her side throughout the last years of her life. Always a lover of black soul music, Rochelle became fond of Don Williams’ song “I Believe in Love” and the words “hope” and “believe” in her last year. In lieu of gifts to the family, Rochelle would like those who wish to give a gift to the American Indian College Fund, St. Joseph’s Indian School in South Dakota or similar organizations.

Rochelle Barbara Lakota

August 26, 1940 - June 29, 2025