Norma Theresa Rainbow

Norma T. Rainbow, 78 of rural Fort Totten, ND passed away on Tuesday morning, October 12, 2010 at her home in the loving care of her family and Mercy Hospice. Visitation will be held at Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten on Sunday, October 17, 2010 beginning at 4:00 p.m. until 10:30 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to Seven Dolors Church will leave at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday from the Spirit Lake Casino and Resort. Mass of Christian Burial for Norma will be held on Monday, October 18th at 10:00 a.m. at Seven Dolors Catholic Church. Fr. Charles Leute, OP will celebrate the Mass and Norma will be laid to rest at St. Jerome’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Fort Totten. Serving as Casket Bearers for Norma will be Dane Cavanaugh, Russell Cavanaugh, Tyler Rainbow, Jeremy Rainbow, Mitch Rainbow, Addison Beau Lenoir, Bernard Rainbow Jr., Kurt Tenorio, Sam Lambert, Richard Littlewind Jr. and Victor Rainbow. Honorary Bearers will be Pauline Greywater, Josie and Clarice Lawrence, Waylon and Renita Shaw, Hermenia McKay, Khati Brownshield, Winona Fox, Daryl and Doug Bergrud, Dennis and Venioe Bergrud, Mildred Chase, Donald Belgarde, Peter Belgarde, Kimberlee Cavanaugh, Delta Cavanaugh-Nelson family, Georgeline Cavanaugh-BlackHawk family, Pepper and Micky Young, Donna Pexa, Gerald Wanna, Florence Joshua, Irene Littlewind, Cora Rose Sherman, Pam Rainbow, Priscilla Cavanaugh, Clara Brown, Elizabeth Littleghost, Elaine Robertson, Helena Littleghost, Bill and Charlotte Monette, Ronald McKay, Gloria Demarce, Tony and Vina McDonald, Gloria Green, Deanna and Jennie Hanson, Jean Robertson family, Laura and Ava Robertson, Gary and Roberta Smith family, Burton, Jay, Marty, Matthew and John Robertson families, Duane Guy, Mary Charboneau, Roger Yankton and Onna Littleghost. We want to give special thanks to Elton Greywater, Carmen and Hospice, Father Chuck, St. Mary’s Society, Velma Lambert and daughters, Dr. Corbett, Dr. Penico, Nurses on the 6th Floor at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, Care Medical, Norma’s employer, Experience Works Program, Cecil Longie, Wanda Ann Jackson, Marilyn Thomas, Joyce Thomas, Wanda Thomas, Cindy Thomas and Anna Thomas. We apologize if we have forgotten to mention a name. We ask your understanding and forgiveness, it was not intentional. Music will be provided by Dakota Express and Tony and Vina McDonald. Norma Theresa was born on December 17, 1931 to Charles and Grace (Young) Lambert. She went to Little Flower grade school in St. Michael and then attended Marty High School in South Dakota. Out of high school, Norma married Richard Cavanaugh on October 23, 1948 at Seven Dolors Church. They had seven children. They made their home in California and Norma worked as a housekeeper. Norma moved back to North Dakota and was united in marriage to Julius Rainbow Sr. on November 9, 1961 and to this marriage eight children were born. In the mid 1960’s, Norma worked for the Home Extension Program and Green Thumb Program, now known as Experience Works Program. Norma, Pauline Greywater, Priscilla Cavanaugh, Lilly Hunt and their husbands started up St. Jude’s Elderly Home in 1973. Norma went on to work for the Social Services Department for many years and retired and then became employed in the Senior Service Program and received many certificates and plaques for her many years of service and good faith efforts to the Spirit Lake Tribe. From 1991 to 2009, Norma was a foster parent. Norma was a member of Seven Dolors Catholic Church and active member of St. Mary’s Society. She served on the Social Service Board, Enrollment and Health Boards and as secretary of the Elderly Board for many years for the Spirit Lake Tribe. Norma had a very humble, gentle and very compassionate spirit, but she worked hard and with such enthusiasm for all the people of the Spirit Lake Tribe. Her loving spirit drew people to her and she was always a good listener and never judgmental or unkind. Norma loved music. She and the whole family knew all the words to many of the favorite Country Western songs that Norma listened to everyday. She loved the music and dancing at pow-wows. It brought her joy and also sadness when she was no longer able to dance to the music. Bingo was always a fun time with her many friends and family. But nothing brought more joy to Norma than spending time at home with her children and grandchildren. Norma is survived by her loving family: daughters Janice Adele Cavanaugh (Vincent), Martina Robertson(Mark), Margaret Cavanaugh, Connie Rainbow (Ronnie) Tammy Rainbow (Richard), Bernadette Rainbow and Sharon Rainbow; sons Bernard Rainbow, Julius Rainbow Jr. and Myron Lambert (Tonda); adopted daughters Britney Rainbow and Marilyn Gourd; adopted sons Tyler Rainbo, Steve Dane Cavanaugh, Kurt Tenorio and Addison Beau Lenoir; sixty eight grandchildren; brother, Vern (Velma) Lambert; many nieces, nephews and cousins also survive. Norma was preceded in death by her parents; sisters Lorraine Robertson and Sharon Lambert; brothers Eugene Lambert, Charles “Chuck” Lambert and Mark Lambert; daughter Allura Dawn “Karen” Rainbow and sons Richard “Cowboy” Cavanaugh, Russell “Rusty” Cavanaugh, Howard Cavanaugh, Rudy Cavanaugh and Victor Rainbow.