Sean Eugene Roberts, 56, of Spearfish, South Dakota, passed away at his home on Tuesday, February 17, 2026.

Sean was born on April 29, 1969, in Los Angeles, California. He was the son of Barbara and Greg Roberts and grew up in South Carolina and Massachusetts alongside his siblings, Brian and Paige.

During middle and high school, Sean discovered drama as a meaningful form of artistic expression. At the same time, he developed an early passion for computers, designing games on his Atari 800 with his cousin Chris DeHeer, a hobby that foreshadowed his future career.

Sean enlisted in the United States Army and served in Germany as a combat medic specialist. He received an honorable discharge and returned to Longmeadow, Massachusetts, where he worked as a phlebotomist while pursuing his education at the University of Massachusetts Amherst, earning a degree in History.

He later moved to the Boston area and worked for Medtech in data entry. During this period, his faith deepened significantly. Feeling called to religious life, he entered formation at Holy Resurrection Monastery in the Mojave Desert in Newberry Springs, California. After a period of discernment and novitiate, Sean realized that his vocation was marriage and family life.

He married the love of his life, Nancy Ruehle, in 2007, surrounded by family and friends. Together they made their home in the Black Hills. Their daughter, Grace Pilar, was born in 2008, and later Lucy Bronwin completed their family.

After leaving the monastery and beginning family life, Sean was a computer programmer, a career he pursued for over twenty years. While living in the Black Hills, he remained active in his parish community and served as treasurer for the Society of St. Vincent de Paul at St. Patrick’s Parish in Lead, South Dakota.

Sean was a devoted husband and father. Calm and quietly funny, he spoke to his daughters with respect and listened carefully. He valued presence over possessions and prioritized time with his family above career advancement. His wife’s and children’s activities, and everyday moments mattered most to him.

Sean is survived by his wife, Nancy; his daughters, Grace and Lucy; his parents, Barbara and Greg Roberts; his brother, Brian Roberts and his wife, Amanda; his sister, Paige Romanowski and her husband, Kevin; and beloved cousins, including Chris DeHeer and his wife, Neveen, whom Sean considered a sibling and who was known as Uncle Chris to Grace and Lucy, along with extended family and friends.

He will be remembered as a faithful, loving, and generous man whose life was defined by devotion to his family and service to his community.

Visitation will be held at St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Spearfish at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, February 24, followed by a vigil at 6:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11:00AM Wednesday, February 25, 2026 at St. Joseph Catholic Church., with Father Max Vetch and Father Leo Hausmann officiating. A private burial will take place at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Holy Resurrection Monastery. Online donations may be made at https://www.hrmonline.org/donate.

Arrangements are under the care of Fidler-Isburg Funeral Chapel & Isburg Crematory of Spearfish, SD. Online condolences may be written at https://www.fidler-isburgfuneralchapels.com/