Beatrice A. Joramo

Beatrice A. (Belgarde) Joramo, 81 of St. Michael, North Dakota passed away on Wednesday evening, October 21, 2015 at the Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. The Wake will be held at St. Michael’s Recreation Center on Wednesday, October 28th beginning at 5:00 p.m. with Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael’s will leave on Wednesday from Spirit Lake Casino at 4:30 p.m. Mass of the Resurrection is Thursday, October 29th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with burial in the church cemetery. Fr. Paul Schuster will celebrate the Mass. Beatrice Adele, daughter of Peter James Sr. and Mary Jane (Grandbois) Belgarde was born on June 21, 1934 at Fort Totten, ND. She lived and worked most of her life on Spirit Lake Nation except for a few years in Los Angeles, CA and Montana. Beatrice married Jerome Blackbird in 1951 and they were the proud parents of 8 children and sadly two died in infancy. Beatrice was a devoted mother to her children and was blessed to meet her beloved Jay Joramo and they were united in marriage on October 3, 1968 and added two more beautiful children to this union, plus seven step children. Beatrice was always busy caring for her children and generations of grandchildren. She also worked outside of the home at the Heartland Care Center, Mercy Hospital and as a bartender at several establishments in the Lake Region area. At the time of her death, Beatrice was employed full-time at the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort as a supervisor in the housekeeping department. Most would be overwhelmed by such a large family, but Beatrice felt it was a blessing. She also welcomed anyone into her home in need of a place to stay, a meal, a listening ear and never turned anyone away. She was loved and respected by all her co-workers and everyone at the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort. She was “Grandma” to many. Beatrice also bravely fought cancer and was a breast cancer survivor. Never idle, she loved gardening, canning, horseback riding and BINGO and anytime spent with family and friends. She enjoyed traveling, but wouldn’t fly, but traveled to all the West Coast states, New Mexico, Texas, Tennessee, Colorado, Montana to name a few. We shall miss our beautiful mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend but will keep her memory in our hearts forever. Survivors include: children Lewis “Dewey” Blackbird, Duane Blackbird, Jerome Blackbird Jr., Ellie J. Blackbird, Darlene Putnam (Terry), Jackie Blackbird (Daniel Peltier Sr.), Todd Belgarde (Sheila), Janice Gamel, Lorman Owlboy Sr., Jay Joramo Jr and Sandra Joramo; stepchildren Jerome “Bucky” (Colleen) Joramo, Gregory (Fran) Joramo, Roger (Adele) Joramo, Donny (Audrey) Joramo, David (Kris) Joramo, Ronnie (Pauline) Joramo and Cheryl (Jerry) Oldham; adopted children twins Jolene Small and Joel Small, Eric Dubois and Rose Whitetail Sherman; many grandchildren, great grandchildren, great great grandchildren; special grandchildren Tristan Jackson and Phoenix Joramo; brothers and sisters Pete Belgarde Jr., Donald Belgarde Sr., Lily Owlboy, Alfred (Anita) Thompson, Lulu Thompson, Sheila Thompson, Robert (Kristi) Thompson, Frenchy Brown, Philip “Skip” Longie Sr., Joyce (Frank) Greene, Imogene Belgarde, Arlene Demarce, Joanne Belgarde, Audrey Belgarde and Larry Belgarde; adopted brother Josie (Clarice) Lawrence; numerous nieces and nephews. Preceded in death by her parents; step mother, Herminia Owlboy Belgarde; husband Jay Joramo on January 10, 1995; granddaughter Mary; grandsons T.J. and Clayton; sisters and brothers Shirley Belgarde, Janice Thompson, Mike “Buggs” Thompson Jr., Leander Belgarde, Anna Mae Belgarde and Theresa Belgarde; niece Marie Belgarde. Escorts will be Chris Gamel and Petty Officer 1st Class Eric Joramo and casket bearers will be Nick Joramo, Geoff LeftBear, Bradley Gamel, Jarred Gamel, Damian Blackbird, Bennett Blackbird, Travis Blackbird, Norman Blackbird, Cowboy Lawrence, Lorman Owlboy Jr., Mitchell Owlboy, Kyle Belgarde, Davey Belgarde, Josh Belgarde-Borstad and Dylan Belgarde. Honorary Bearers are the staff of Spirit Lake Casino. Music by Spirit Lake Nation Singers.