Delano Collin Gaking

Delano C. Gaking, "Wakan-tu-naji" (Stands Above), 19, of Grand Forks and St. Michael, ND, began his spiritual journey on Tuesday, April 13, 2010, at Grand Forks ND, and was found on Sunday, April 25, 2010. A Vigil will be held at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael, ND on Friday from 5:00 p.m. until 11:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The Procession to St. Michael’s Catholic Church will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Friday from Wal-Mart. Mass of Christian Burial for Delano will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with burial in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery. Serving as Casket Bearers for Delano will be Caleb WalkingEagle, William "Billy" WalkingEagle, Andrew Morin Sr., Charles Morin Sr., William "Billy" Cavanaugh Sr., Jody Gaking, Joe Marciniak, Leland BullHead, and Paul Matheny. Honorary Bearers will be Josh and Della Felix, Elaine Robinson, Willard & Maggie Chaske and Family, Mickey & Algenia (Jetty) Wilkie and Family, Wanda Stensland, Margo Azure & Jeff "Bubba" Decoteau and Family, Rodney Martin, Desi Lohnes, Jaede Posey, Father Ed Sherman, Spirit Lake Sundancers, Jay Green, Audie SwiftBird, John Chaske, Cora Whiteman (Tiger), Ray Cavanaugh, Kevin Dauphanais, Michelle Hale, Miranda Thompson, Clarice Brown, Stevie Ironshield, Jarrit Desjarlis, Joey DelaPaz, Darrell ThreeIrons Jr. & Joetta ThreeIrons, Chelsea Thompson, Amy Wettlin, Erika Cavanaugh, Deborah Cavanaugh and Family, Jordan Saenz, Dave, Troy and Chris Lovejoy, Amy Lacroix, Kristy Greywind, Michelle Cavanaugh and Family, Hayden WalkingEagle, Tanya Jetty & Family, Ed & Bernice Cavanaugh-John, Anita Cavanaugh, Thompson & Harrison Families, C.C.C.C. Board of Regents, Faculty & Staff and all of Delano’s many relatives and friends; Detective Mike Flannery, Thomas J. Inocencio, Grand Forks County Sheriff’s Dept., Grand Forks Police Dept., Grand Forks Fire Dept., Polk County Fire Dept., Polk County Police Dept. Grand Forks Search and Rescue, East Grand Forks Search and Rescue, Grand Forks Red Cross and especially Shania (search dog). A very special Thank you for your dedication and hard work with everything you've done to help find Delano. A very special Thank you to Father Brian Moen for being there and bringing us home at this very difficult time. Also a special Thank you to Mickey Wilkie and Joe Marciniak for walking miles along the Red River looking and seraching for Delano. Dakota Express will be sharing their music and any other drum groups are welcome to share their songs with the family and friends of Delano. Delano Collin Gaking was born on December 29, 1990 in Devils Lake, ND to Johnnie C. Gaking III and Kristen WalkingEagle. He grew up in St. Michael and attended school at Four Winds in Fort Totten. He lived with his Grandma and Aunt for a couple years in Devils Lake, ND. He lived and went to school in the State of Washington for a time. He spent those months living with his aunt, Jennifer and later with his uncle, Billy. In January of 2010 he moved to Grand Forks. Delano was a grass dancer and participated in many pow-wows in North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota and Canada in his younger years. He was an avid reader, enjoyed the outdoors and when he was indoors he enjoyed the computer, watching movies and listening to music. Back in the day, He loved spending time with Tiana and Baby Johnnie and staying up late and watching scary movies with them. While living away, he always made sure to call home as he loved talking to his sister, Tiana, on the phone for hours, as she was very special to Delano. He also enjoyed spending time with his best friend, Joe. We are thankful for our family who has cared for Delano and prayed for him these last days and through the years. God bless you all and may Delano rest in God’s peace. Delano will be forever loved and forever in our hearts. We apologize for anyone we have forgotten to mention. It is not intentional and we ask your understanding as we make our way through this hard time. He will be greatly missed by all those who knew him. We love you and shall miss you always. Delano is survived by his parents, Johnnie and Kristen of St. Michael, ND; sister Tiana WalkingEagle and brother Johnnie Gaking IV also of St. Michael; grandparents Kermit and Carol WalkingEagle of Crow Hill, ND and Marsha Blueshield of Devils Lake, ND; great grandpa Steve Hoksina; great grandmas Betty Morin, Gloria Jetty, Marie Baker and Beatrice Abrahamson; Special aunts Bonita Morin, Teresa Blueshield, and Debbie Morin; aunts Jennifer Gaking, Peggy Cavanaugh, MaryAnn Cavanaugh, Rosalie Baer, Edna McCaslin, Ida Mae Cavanaugh, Stella Cavanaugh, Pat WalkingEagle, Iris Cavanaugh, Kari WalkingEagle, Stephanie Greene, Denise WalkingEagle, Martina Kazena, Lorna WalkingEagle, Phyllis Luger, Charlene Jetty, Jeanette LaVallie, Jeanne WalkingEagle. uncles William “Billy” WalkingEagle, Caleb WalkingEagle, Jody Gaking, Jerome Gaking, Charlie Morin, Andrew Morin and Kevin Morin, Herman “Cap” Cavanaugh, Billy Cavanaugh, Victor Matheny Sr., Danny Saenz, Carl WalkingEagle, Bruce WalkingEagle, Ronald WalkingEagle Sr., William "Butch" Kazena Sr., and many many other family, cousins and relatives also survive. Delano was preceded in death by his grandparents John E. Gaking Jr. and Marie Gaking; great grandparents Clarence J. Cavanaugh and Mable Dance Eagle, Antoine and Grace WalkingEagle, John J. Sr. and Cynthia Gaking, William and Jeanne Shaw and Frank Morin; aunts Lisa WalkingEagle, Mary Frances Morin and Amelia Richotte; uncles Glen WalkingEagle, Curtis WalkingEagle, Kermit WalkingEagle Jr., William Kazena Jr., Benjamin Cavanaugh, Robert Cavanaugh, Bud Baer, Roy Gaking, and Leonard Gaking.