A leader in South Dakota on transgender issues will be laid to rest this weekend. 

Terri Bruce died at the age of 55 in Hermosa on Sunday.

Last year the American Civil Liberties Union filed a federal lawsuit on Bruce’s behalf against the state of South Dakota for refusing to cover medical care required by transgender people.

Bruce worked at the South Dakota State Archeological Research Center for 13 years and had coverage under the state’s health care plan. 

That case was still making its way through South Dakota U.S. District court and remained unresolved.