John Damian Chaske Jr.

John D. Chaske Jr., C’antena Wanbdi Yuza (Eagle Holds His Heart), age 32 of Fort Totten, ND died early Friday morning, February 20, 2009 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND A Wake will be held for John at the Crowhill Recreation Center, rural Fort Totten on Wednesday, February 25, 2009 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial for John will be held at Seven Dolors Catholic Church on Thursday at 11:00 a.m. Fr. Charles Leute O.P. will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Jerome’s Catholic Cemetery in the spring. The Procession to Crowhill will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday from Wal-Mart. Serving as Casket Bearers for John will be: Royce McKay, Patrick McKay, Tony McKay, Willard Chaske, Sean Lambert and Tyron Chaske. Honorary Bearers are all of John’s dear friends and relatives. John Damian was born on June 5, 1976 at Devils Lake, ND the son of John and Ramona (McKay) Chaske Sr. He attended Four Winds School and spent his life in the Fort Totten area where he lived, worked and raised his sons. John had many talents which included carpentry and as a drawing artist. He helped to build his parents’ home and worked for Tribal Housing, Spirit Lake Tribe as a carpenter until ill health forced him to retire. He loved to draw and designed the emblem that is used by Tribal Housing. But most of all, John treasured the time he spent with his dear family. He and his family had a special trip this past summer to Niagara Falls and this will be among many treasured memories we have of John. John is survived by his parents, John and Ramona Chaske Sr. of Fort Totten; Sons: Lathan Chaske and Andrew Chaske; Brothers: Dana Yankton and Carlyle Yankton of Fort Totten and Joel Chaske of New York; Sisters: Leona (Leon) Yankton-LaRocque and Melissa Chaske all of Fort Totten; Mother of their sons, Bonnie Elk of St. Michael; Many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. John was preceded in death by his grandparents, Joseph and Marian Chaske and Jesse and Angeline McKay and niece, Dawn Rose Chaske-Snell.