LEONARD E. "THE CHAMP" RICHOTTE

Leonard E. “The Champ” Richotte, 72 of Spirit Lake, formerly of Walhalla, North Dakota, began his journey to the Spirit World on January 14, 2015, surrounded by his loving family at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd, New Rockford, North Dakota. Leonard was born on November 11, 1942 to William “Willy” and Josephine (Vondal) Richotte at Walhalla, North Dakota. Leonard was an avid boxer, he won the Golden Gloves Championship in 1959 at Wahpeton, ND at the age of 17. Boxing was his favorite sport and he also loved to watch boxing on TV; he had many boxing stories to share. He use to work with his dad cutting down timber in Minnesota. Leonard later moved to Grand Forks, ND, in the late 1960’s, where he later met the love of his life, Amelia “Pokey” Cavanaugh. They later married and moved to Omaha, Nebraska. They then moved to the Spirit Lake, where they started their family. Of this marriage, they had 5 children, Marie, Murle, Raymond, Lisa and Robert Richotte. Leonard worked for Fort Totten Housing and the Tribal Blue Building in maintenance for a time. Leonard loved to travel all over the United States, where he made a lot of friends through his travels. He traveled all over to visit his family. He had many stories to tell over his travels and many were comical. Leonard loved to do leather work, making wallets, belts, purses and many other crafts, but his favorite pastime of all was spending time with his family, especially with his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. He loved to listen to country western music, Johnny Cash was his favorite. He also loved to play cards and dice with his family and friends as a pastime. He was proud of his grandchildren for dancing at Pow-wows. He would often go to watch them dance. He was also proud of their sports accomplishments in football, basketball, and wrestling. He always attended his grandchildren’s graduations and was very proud of his granddaughters that went on to college. Leonard lived with his children on the Spirit Lake Nation for 15 years, up until his illness where he had to relocate to New Rockford at the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd. He also enjoyed watching war and horror movies. Also he liked to make pudding and lots of sweet desserts when visiting family members. He loved to spoil his grandkids by giving them candy and watching movies with them. Leonard’s loving family include his daughters Marie Richotte, Devils Lake and Lisa (Norman) Blackbird of Fort Totten; sons Murle (Angela) Richotte Sr. and Robert (Krissy) Richotte all of Fort Totten; grandchildren Doogie Richotte St. Pierre, Murle Richotte Jr., Leonard Richotte, Tristen Rainey, Dolan Richotte, Kuda OldRock, Tanyalita Richotte, Heidi Richotte, Tenesha Rainey, Tausha Rainey, Seneca Slininger, Bobby Richotte, Angel Richotte, Karissa Richotte, Chelly Richotte, Donise Richotte, Rosalie OldRock, Waste Win Fassett, Tokeya OldRock, Donelda OldRock, Aiana Richotte, Arthur Richotte, Robert Richotte Jr., Todd Richotte and Trinity Richotte; great grandchildren Selena Richotte, Gabby Lonefight, Bailey St. Pierre, Tatum Rainey, Sophia Richotte, Dezante Norquay, Kelli Belgarde, Victoria Richotte and Addison Littlewind; sister Shirley Shelly of Montana; brother Keith Steven Richotte Sr.; sisters-in-law Alice Richotte of Tacoma, WA, Rosalie Baer of Woodlake, ND, Edna McCassal of St. MIchael and Ida Mae Cavanaugh also of Tacoma; brothers-in-law Butch Goulet of Toma, WI, Herman “Cap” (Maryann) Cavanaugh and William “Billy” (Debra) Cavanaugh all of St. Michael and many nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his wife, Amelia “Pokey” Richotte in July of 1999; son Raymond Richotte; grandson Raymond Richotte; parents; brothers Harvey, Albert “Ben”, Raymond and Murle Richotte; sisters Elaine Richotte, Vivian Compeau and Mary Goulet; his grandparents and several nieces and nephews. Active Pallbearers will be Leonard’s nephews and grandsons Korey Goulet, Danny Compeau, Ricky Compeau, Troy Lovejoy, Raymond Clutchie, Doogie Richotte St. Pierre, Murle Richotte Jr., Leonard Richotte, Tristen Rainey, Dolan Richotte and Kuda OldRock. Honorary bearers, granddaughters Tanyalita Richotte, Tenesha Rainey, Tausha Rainey, Heidi Richotte, Bobby Richotte, Angel Richotte, Waste Win Fassett, Seneca Slininger, Donise Richotte, Rosalie Oldrock, Tokeya Oldrock, Donelda Oldrock, Karissa Richotte, Chelly Richotte, Aiana Richotte, Trinity Richotte; grandsons, Todd Richotte, Arthur Richotte and Robert Richotte Jr.; Butch Goulet, Judy Kerchenko and all loving family and friends, staff of the Lutheran Home of the Good Shepherd. If we have forgotten anybody, please forgive us at this difficult time for it was not intentional. The Wake for Leonard will also be at the St. Michael's Recreation Center on Wednesday, January 21st beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael will leave on Wednesday at 3:00 p.m. from the former Wal-Mart. Funeral Services for Leonard will be held on Thursday, January 22, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Recreation Center, St. Michael, ND with Father Paul Schuster officiating.