RONALD KEITH GRAYWATER

Ronald Keith Graywater Our dear family member, Ronnie Graywater, 37 of Tokio, ND went home to our loving Father on Sunday, January 3, 2010. The Wake services will be Thursday, January 7, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at Dakota Oyate Lutheran Church, rural Tokio, ND with the sharing of scripture, the rosary, and music at 8:00 p.m. Funeral services for Ronnie will be at 10:00 a.m. on Friday, January 8, 2010 at the church with burial at Dakota Oyate cemetery. Pastor Larry Thiele will officiate and Deacon Tony McDonald, Rev. Canon Jackie Bernacchi and Robert and Carol Graywater will also participate in the service. The procession to the Dakotah Oyate Church will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday from Wal-Mart. Music will be provided by McDonald family and Rhythm Riders. Ronnie was born on December 23, 1972 in Devils Lake, North Dakota to Theresa Blueshield and Ronald Edward Guy. He lost his father at a young age and was adopted by Verol Graywater. Ronnie attended school in St. Michael. During a difficult time in his life, he lived with the Carol Jean Brown family and later with Midge and Gerald Jensen family. In 1988, the family tragically lost their dear mother, Theresa. Ronnie never recovered from this loss and he talked about how lonesome he was for his mother and the “lost” years that he did not have with her. His older brother, Clayton, reunited the family and provided a home for Ron and Tammy. Ronnie earned his GED and heavy equipment operator certificate and CDL at Kicking Horse Job Corps in Ronan, MT in 1989. Ronnie enjoyed working and was a security guard at Spirit Lake Casino & Resort and worked for many years for McDonald Security at Sioux Manufacturing Corporation. He also worked as a heavy equipment operator in South Dakota for a time. He was a hard worker, always willing to help when needed. His strong work ethic was evident in his daily routine: he made it a point to do something constructive and productive every day. He was a very great housekeeper and always had the coffee brewing for everyone. Ronnie had a difficult journey at times, struggling with addiction. Through his struggles, he faced death on several occasions, but recovered and was given more time with us. It comforts our hearts to know that our brother has finally achieved victory over the struggles of this world and is now at peace. His favorite past times included going to concerts and he appreciated a variety of music. He especially enjoyed watching sci-fi and horror movies and concert DVDs. Ronnie was the ultimate practical joker, often getting the best of family and friends alike. He liked spending time with family, on special outings including eating out, going to parades, seeing new places, and he had a very adventurous spirit. We will remember and forever cherish the memory of Ron’s gentle and quiet nature. Ron preferred the simplest of lifestyles and he lived a virtuous life: Ron was kind, generous, and was a role model for the youth. He showed the greatest respect to everyone and he loved his family very much; their dreams were his dreams and he did what he could to help them come true. His memory will be cherished and forever remembered by his loving family; brothers, Clayton and Ardell Blueshield of Newtown, ND, Harlan Blueshield of Tokio, and Edward Rocky Hill of Warwick; sisters, Tammy Graywater and Glen Ross, Devils Lake, Trisha Blueshield of Oklahoma, and Jolene Wetzel of Bismarck, adopted father, Verol Graywater; adopted sister, Jennifer Jensen and her brothers, Jerry Jensen and Scott Chase; aunts, Mary Hall, Ordelle Guy, Evelyn Black; grandmothers, Elaine Robertson, Elizabeth Littleghost, Helena Littleghost, and Pauline Greywater; uncles, Martin Blueshield, Herbert Blueshield, Gerald Guy, Donray Guy, Adrian Guy, Jerome Guy. Ronnie will be welcomed home by his beloved family members: father, Ronald Edward Guy; mother, Theresa Blueshield; sister, Jacqueline Guy; aunts, Alice Dumarce, Jean Blueshield, Rose Dubois, Joyce Blueshield and Violet Blueshield; uncles, Lincoln Blueshield and Gabriel Young; paternal grandparents, Gideon and Alice Waanatan Guy; maternal grandparents, Joseph Blueshield and Anna Yuhaha Blueshield; cousin, Ronnie Hall. Active Pallbearers: Sheldon Black Eldwin Guy Jerry Jensen Richard Cavanaugh Tom Robertson Jr. Joey Blueshield Terrance Guy Jr. Brandon Black Honorary Pallbearers: Mildred Chase Gerald Jensen Larry & Darla Thiele Evelyn Black family Dr. Jackie Downs Spirit Lake Ambulance Gilbertson Funeral Home Mercy Hospital ER staff Vina & Tony McDonald family Spirit Lake Casino staff Kimberly Robertson family Ardell Blueshield We want to remember Ronnie’s special cousins: Julia and Roland Johnson June Blueshield Elijah Green Sheila Blueshield Darla and Larry Thiele Joe Blueshield Joan Blueshield Alvin Blueshield Kevin Blueshield Delilah Blueshield Valerie Blueshield Lynette Blueshield Debbie Guy and Russell Brown Terrance Guy Sr. Lorna and Ron Walking Eagle Patty Sam Eric Dubois Monica Dubois Martina Matson Adeline Blueshield and Duane Jackson Martin Diamond Elaine Hall Martin Diamond Joanne Hall Ethel Hall Frank Hall