Francis Owlboy Sr.

Francis Owlboy Sr., “DeeDee Boy” 79 a lifetime resident of the Spirit Lake Nation, rural St. Michael, ND began his journey to the Spirit World on Saturday, September 5, 2015 at his home surrounded by his loving family and many dear friends. A Wake for Francis will be held on Thursday, September 10, 2015 at his home at rural St. Michael, ND. The procession to his home will leave from the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Thursday at 3:00 p.m. On Friday, Francis will go by wagon and with a team of his horses to St. Michael’s Recreation Center for a Wake beginning at 5:00 p.m. A Rosary and time of remembrance and prayer will be held at 8:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael’s Recreation will leave the Owlboy Ranch at 4:00 p.m. Funeral Services for Francis will be held on Saturday, September 12, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Father Paul Schuster celebrating the Mass. Francis will be laid to rest in the HinhanKaga Hoksina Cemetery, rural St. Michael. Francis was born on March 19, 1936 at the family home at rural St. Michael, the son of Thomas and Nancy (Jackson) Owlboy. He would grow up, live, and work on the Spirit Lake Nation his entire life. He attended the Calvary Square School. Francis worked for several years at the Trottier Turkey Ranch and later worked as a carpenter for Tribal Housing. Most of his working years were at the Culvert Plant where he retired. Francis was united in marriage to his beloved Lillie Belgarde on November 3, 1960 and they had a wonderful life together, working side by side and raising their children. Francis’ one true passion was horses. He always had horses on the ranch and he faithfully and loving cared for each one of them through the many years. He enjoyed participating in Chariot and Horse Racing throughout the state and many times at the North Dakota State Fair in Minot. Francis so generously gave of his time and horses to many families and friends in the area in their time of need. As much as Francis loved his horses, he treasured his wife, children, grandchildren and other family members even more. He felt truly blessed to enjoy the beauty of nature, God’s creatures and the love of family. He is survived by his wife Lillie; children, grandchildren and great grandchildren; Cheryl Belgarde and her 5 children Lynn Azure and her children Chandra, Makayla, Curtis III, Naome and Amari; Amy Belgarde and her child Demani; Alyssa Shaw and her children Talayna, Jaydean Jr., Darren, Tori, Teresa and Taylor; Francis Azure Jr. and Allene Belgarde; Monica’s 4 children Erica, Wesley, Kami, Kelli and all of their children; Francis Owlboy Jr. and his 3 children Lyndon Greybear and his 4 children; Renita Greybear and her children Malaina, Juliyah, Loriah; Bethany Owlboy and her children Janeya and Alaxander; Peter Owlboy Sr. and his 5 children Peter Owlboy Jr. and his children Vera, Brayden and Camden; Sarah Owlboy and her children Star and Dominic; Jared Owlboy; Traci Owlboy and her child Kylen; Isaac Owlboy; Bonnie Owlboy and her 2 children Melinda Tikanye and her child Nalayna; Delia Whiteman and her children Dequan and Dustin; Lormen Owlboy Sr. and his 4 children Lormen Owlboy Jr.; Niketa Owlboy and her children Dakota, Victor Jr. and Naya; Mitchell Owlboy and his children Brylee and Kori; Loren Owlboy; Alvin Sr.’s 5 children Brittany Whiteshield and her children Kayonna and Jayden; Alvin Owlboy Jr. and his child Aleeyah; Felicia Owlboy and her child D’Angelo; Danielle Owlboy; Samantha Owlboy; Lisa Owlboy; Lonnie Owlboy; Chapa Owlboy (Glen Rue Jr.) and her 5 children Leslie Ann (Allen Fassett), Virginia Owlboy (Richard Brownshield Jr.), Glenna Rue, Nevada Rue and Adam Rue; Gary Owlboy (Bobbi Sue) and his child Shawn; Marie Owlboy (Devon Azure Sr.) and her 2 children Avery and Devon Jr.; Elton DeMarce; adopted son Al (Cheryl) Laducer; several nieces, nephews, other beloved family members including Joyce Green, Imogene Belgarde, Arlene DeMarce, Joanne Belgarde, Larry Belgarde and Audrey Belgarde; brothers-in-law Donnie Belgarde Sr., Peter Belgarde Jr. and Alfred Thompson; sisters-in-law Beatrice Joramo, Sheila Thompson and Luella Thompson. He was preceded in death by his parents; children Monica Owlboy and Alvin Owlboy Sr.; sisters Herminia Owlboy Belgarde, Helen RedRoad and Sarah Wilson. Active Pallbearers will be Francis Owlboy Jr., Peter Owlboy Sr., Lormen Owlboy Sr., Lonnie Owlboy, Devon Azure Sr., Gary Owlboy, Elton DeMarce, Bonnie Owlboy and Chapa Owlboy. Honorary Pallbearers will be all of Francis Owlboy Sr.’s extended family members and numerous relatives and many friends who enjoyed the company and for just knowing our Dad-Grandpa. And a special thank you to Dr. Downs and Altru Home Health and Hospice Care nurses for coming out to our home and helping with the care of our Dad-Grandpa. Also to Dr. Dentchev and Anne Nygarrde of Altru Cancer Center and to Dr. Cheret of Altru Hospital.