Mark Ivan Black Cloud

Mark I. Black Cloud, 44 of Fort Totten, ND died on Sunday morning, December 11, 2005 at SCCI Hospital in Fargo, ND. Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, December 17, 2005 at 10:00 a.m. at Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten. Fr. Charles Leute, O.P. will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Jerome’s Catholic Cemetery, rural CrowHill, ND A Wake will be held on Friday, December 16, 2005 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at Fort Totten Recreation Center with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The Procession to Fort Totten Recreation Center will begin at 4:00 p.m. at the Wal-Mart Parking Lot. Serving as Active Casket Bearers will be: Frank Black Cloud, Nicholas Black Cloud, Lydell Jones, Dave Smith, Norbert Fournier and William Vivier. Honorary Casket Bearers: The Staff of Mercy Hospital Dialysis Unit, All of his wonderful physicians and nurses at Altru and Merit Care Hospitals, Mark’s entire loving family and many friends, Courtney Black Cloud, Colleen Anderson and Ashley Anderson. Mark Ivan was born April 3, 1961 in San Bernardino, CA. The oldest son of Ivan Black Cloud, Fort Totten, ND and Gail (Knights) Black Cloud, Oberon, ND formerly of Chula Vista, CA. Graduated from San Gorgornio High School, Highland, CA in 1979. Attended Valley College, San Bernardino, CA where he earned an associates degree. Mark was an active member in sports during his high school and college years (Football and Wrestling). In 1978, while Mark was a junior in high school, he was the California State High School Heavy Weight Wrestling Champion having gone the entire wrestling season undefeated. Mark loved his sports. He was a member of his high school football team, and played Nose Guard. He liked to play defense because he enjoyed the looks of the opposing teams faces as he took them down tackle after tackle. One notable game of his young football career came when he played against Marcus Allen (Former NFL Oakland Raiders Ret.) and Mark tackled him each time Allen attempted to run by. Mark was interested in all sports and coached baseball during his spare time in California. He was interested in the Martial Arts and achieved a Black Belt in Ti Kwon Do. His favorite martial artist was Bruce Lee. During his college years he supported himself by working as a C.N.A. for special needs children. He was married to Lydia Corona in 1980, and had two children from that marriage, Sara and Nicholas. He moved to San Diego in 1983. He divorced in 1987. Mark married Juanita Saucedo in 1989 and they had two children Jessica and Mark II. He divorced in 1993. Mark worked for the Sheraton and Best Western Hotels of San Diego in the 1980’s and early 90’s as Manager and Night Auditor. He also worked for a friend as a Florist for a few years of his life where he found great joy in decorating young couples’ wedding cakes and reception halls on their special day. Mark relocated to North Dakota in 1994. Took up residence in Fort Totten where he met and fell in love with Marlis (Johnson) Vivier. He worked for Paul’s Gas and Laundry until he found work at the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort as the Hotel Manager where he worked from 1997-2000. He later took a position with KABU as the station Manager and helped build that radio station during its infant years. Mark was known as Spirit Wolf during his tenure at the station. Mark enjoyed working for both the hotel and radio station and gave his best to those positions while he held them by working long hours, arriving early and leaving late. He was very proud to be able to serve the Spirit Lake Nation and its tribal members. Mark loved to be around his friends and family. He was often seen spending time and having fun at the casino along with the love of his life. When we wasn’t at the casino or visiting he was at home and watching DVDs. Mark liked to shop and you could often see him riding around Wal-Mart with his cart full of special things for his nephews and nieces. He was always eager to have them around him and babysat when he felt well enough, and even when he didn’t, Mark just loved to be around the kids! He was a happy person with only good things to say about everyone. If someone ever did him wrong, Mark was not one to hold a grudge and only saw the good in everyone he met. Mark loved life and did his best to share his love for life with everyone who touched his heart. Mark loved to cook gourmet foods and did so whenever possible. During his time of illness Mark did his best to look at the Brightside of life. He may have been in pain but did his best to let everyone know that he was okay and that everything was going to be all right. Mark had a natural ability to make whomever he met feel like they’ve known each other for their entire lives. He was just that type of guy…a guy you wanted to know and a man you’d be proud to say was your friend, your brother, and your son. He will be missed by all that ever met and loved him and will be held in a special place in all of our hearts. Mark is survived by his Mother, Gail Black Cloud, Oberon, ND Father: Ivan Black Cloud, Fort Totten Four Children: Sara (Justin) Taddei, stationed in South Korea Nicholas Black Cloud, Harrisonburg, West Virginia Jessica Black Cloud and Mark Black Cloud II both in Chula Vista, California Six Sisters and Five Brothers: Dana Black Cloud, Chula Vista, CA Matthew Black Cloud, Las Vegas, Nevada Frank (Courtney) Black Cloud, Michelle Olson, Tonda Iron Shield all of Fort Totten Tonya (Elijah) Lone Wolf, stationed in Bremerton, Washington Claudette Iron Shield, Fort Totten Christopher (Lucy Fox) Iron Shield, Newtown, ND Matthew Iron Shield, Fort Totten Samantha Iron Shield, Webster, ND Tyrone Iron Shield, Fort Totten Special Companion: Marlis (Johnson) Vivier of Fort Totten Many Aunts, Uncles, Nieces, Nephews and Cousins also survive. He was preceded in death by his grandparents, Peter Black Cloud, Clara Belgarde, Elizabeth Grey Water, Annie Knights and Thomas Knights; brother, Glenn Black Cloud; favorite aunt, Cindy Feather and Cindy’s daughter, Clara Cavanaugh.