Leonard Jay Kirk

Leonard J. Kirk, 46 of Poplar, Montana died on Friday, April 17, 2009 at Northeast Montana Health Services Hospital, Poplar. Mass of Christian Burial for Jay will be held on Monday, April 27, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael, ND. Fr. Brian Moen will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery. The Wake will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday at the Tekakwitha Center, St. Michael with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The Procession to the Tekakwitha Center will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday from Wal-Mart Serving as Casket Bearers for Jay will be Ralph Peoples, Robby Greywater, Delbert Herald, Jesse Cavanaugh, Walter Cavanaugh and Paul Cavanaugh. Honorary Bearers are all of Jay’s many friends and his dear family. Leonard Jay, the son of Cornelius and Wanda (IronLeggins) Kirk Sr. was born on June 25, 1962 at Poplar, Montana where he grew up and was educated. In the late 1970’s he moved to the Spirit Lake Nation. Jay was united in marriage to Marjorie Herald on August 17, 1991 in Fort Totten where they established their home. Jay received his carpentry certificate from the Kicking Horse Job Corp in Ronan, Montana. He worked in the carpentry field for a time then for many years he worked Road Construction in the Lake Region area. He also worked as a Security Guard for many of the special events held on the Spirit Lake Nation. He enjoyed security work very much and was instrumental in the establishment of a neighborhood crime watch program. For pastimes, Jay enjoyed playing basketball and watching football on TV. He had a special talent with cars and enjoyed working on them. Jay especially enjoyed spending time with his special granddaughter, Alexis. Jay is survived by his wife, Marjorie of Fargo, ND Six Children: Marlin Herald, Fargo; Nicole Ross, Grand Forks; Alithea Cree and Lorry Cree also of Fargo; Bryce Kirk and Patricia Kirk of Poplar, Montana; His father, Cornelius Kirk Sr. of Crow Hill; Special Granddaughter, Alexis Cree; Other Grandchildren: Alayna, James, Kailon, Tanner, Connor, Xavier, Starson, Haley, Riley, Tyra, Tyler, Daisy, Daniel Jr. and Rebecca. Special Sister: Catherine Howard of Fort Totten; Sisters: Reba IronLeggins, Vanessa Kirk and Charlene Kirk; Brothers: Charles Kirk, Fidel Kirk, Cornell Kirk, Cornelius Kirk Jr. and Howard “Sonny” IronLeggins. Many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. He was preceded in death by his mother and grandparents, Percy Kirk and Ida LittleOwl.