WADE THOMAS ROSS

Wade T. Ross, 40 of Fort Totten, ND passed away on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND. The Wake for Wade will be held on Friday, June 22nd at St. Michael’s Recreation Center, St. Michael, ND beginning at 5:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael will leave on Friday at 4:00 p.m. from Wal-Mart. The Prayer Service will be held at 8:00 p.m. Funeral Services for Wade will be held on Saturday, June 23, 2012 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Recreation. Deacon Tony McDonald, Fr. Brian Moen and Fr. Charles Leute O.P. will officiate at the services. Wade will be laid to rest in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery. While his family hoped and prayed for a positive outcome at his bedside, Wade Thomas Ross, was called home and began his spiritual journey on Saturday, June 16, 2012 at Grand Forks, ND. Wade Thomas Ross was born to Solomon Buddy Bear Ross and Claudette Jackson Ross on October 11, 1971 in Devils Lake, ND. He was baptized into the Catholic faith on September 25, 1972. During his grade school years, he attended Four Winds School in Fort Totten. During his junior year, he transferred to Warwick High School to realize his dream of being a part of the Warwick Warriors basketball team that made it to the 1989 State Class B Tournament. Playing alongside his brother and team mate Rory Ross, Wade was well known for making 3 pointers. During high school, Wade met Tina Solwey and they enjoyed going to concerts, basketball and softball games. They truly had something in common; he enjoyed being a part of the basketball team and she was on the sidelines cheering Wade and the team on. They graduated in May 1990 and hit the pow-wow trail doing what Wade loved to do since childhood, dancing Men’s Fancy. They married December 6, 1991 and raised their family of 3 daughters, Tiffany, Shayna, and Chantel and son Wyatt. They divorced in July 2004. Wade began working at age 16 during summer youth employment. After graduating he worked at Dakota Tribal Industries, Sioux Manufacturing, Spirit Lake Casino, and other odd jobs through TERO. Wade had many interests including hunting, fishing, checking out the casino, and sports of all kinds, especially watching wrestling. Wade enjoyed playing softball and played on his Dad’s team called “The Outlaws” and they went to the state tournament twice. He loved his Indian ways and hit the pow-wow trail whenever he could, dancing and singing as he was taught by his grandfather, Ignatius Jackson Sr. and his father, Solomon Buddy Ross. Wade enjoyed singing at the drum with his father and “Lake Region Singers” and listening to all kinds of pow-wow music. Most of all, Wade treasured spending time with his family and friends whether it was shooting hoops or grilling out. He enjoyed working on cars with his brother Rory and when they were younger, they often rode motorcycles together. Wade had a great sense of humor and always had a joke to share. Whenever you saw him coming, he always had a smile and was willing to lend a helping hand. He experienced health problems in 2011 and as a result, was limited to certain activities. He always had time for a game of cards with his sister and brother and especially looked forward to visits with his children and grandchildren. We will miss him always but we know that he is now at peace, free from pain, and will be welcomed home by his father, Solomon Buddy Ross, who left us on October 23, 2011 and all our other relatives in the spirit world. Mother Claudette Ross; Daughters: Tiffany, Shayna, and Chantel Ross; Sons: Wyatt “Bull Rider” Ross and Jared Demarce; Brothers: Rory and Lance Mahto Ross; Sister: Ashley Ross Feather; Grandchildren: Kieran Herman, Kayden and Kole Ross; Hunka brothers: Donovan Lambert and Brian Thunder; Hunka family: Vern & Velma Lambert family; Uncles: Alvin (Laverne) Bear and Burton Joe (Barb) Jackson; Aunts: Doris Longie, Dianne Jackson, Antonette Swadeau (Terry) Halsey, Paula (Butch) Goulet, Debra L. Jackson, Anita Bear, Belinda Bear, and Sonja Knox; and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Wade was preceded in death by his father Solomon “Buddy” Bear Ross; grandparents Ignatius & Sadie Jackson and Henry & Margaret Bear; brothers Russ, Klae, & Lance Ross; uncles Jerome, Michael, & James Bear, Nathan Buck Jones, Philip, Adrian, & Ignatius Ping Jackson Jr.; cousins Wanda & Sam Jackson. Active Pallbearers: Rory Ross, Alvin Bear, Donovan Lambert, Craig Brown, Brian Thunder, Tyrel Alberts, Todd Rough Sr. and Burton Joe Jackson. Honorary Pallbearers: Virgil Tiokasin, Jerry Cook, Derrick Jackson, Junior Jones, Keith Longie, Natalie Merrick, Joel Redfox, Steve Redfox, Eileen Jackson, Michael Belgarde, Joey Jackson, Philip Scooter Lohnes, Sean Lambert, Candice Anderson Lightning, Bennett Black, Dustin Jackson, Philmore Jackson, Connie Charboneau, Holly Hill, Richard “Nixon” Jackson, Bonnie Owlboy, Victor Lee Jackson Sr., Kevin Dauphinais, Nan Forest and Lori Smith. Music will be provided by Deacon Tony and Vina McDonald and all drum groups who would like to share songs in memory of Wade are welcome. We want to offer our greatest appreciation to Altru Hospital and SCCU Unit staff, Devils Lake Ambulance staff, Mercy Hospital staff for the caring medical efforts on Wade’s behalf and to the family and friends who sat with him during his last hours. If we forgot anyone, please excuse us for our oversight during this difficult time; it is not intentional.