Mark Anthony Longie

Mark A. Longie, 55of Devils Lake, ND died at his home on Sunday, February 14, 2010. The Wake for Mark will be held at the Crowhill Recreation Center, rural Fort Totten on Friday, February 19, 2010 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. The Procession to the Crowhill Recreation Center will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Friday from Wal-Mart. Funeral Services for Mark will be held at the Crowhill Recreation Center on Saturday, February 20, 2010 at 10:00 a.m. Rev. Bruce Dick will officiate and burial will be in the St. Thomas Episcopal Cemetery, rural Fort Totten, ND. Military Honors will be accorded by Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6547. On December 5, 1954, Mark Anthony Longie was born in Devils Lake to Mercie (Jerome) and Steve Longie. He was raised in the Crow Hill District of the Spirit Lake Nation. He attended school in Maddock, Fort Totten and briefly Wahpeton School for Gifted Children. He received his GED from Kicking Horse Job Corp in Montana in 1973, then served in the Marines, receiving an honorable medical discharge. He worked at Sioux Manufacturing for many years. In 1979 he worked in the potash mines in New Mexico before hitchhiking through 18 states. He liked to say he earned his doctor’s degree in life during that time. He lived and partied hard until 1986 when he had a spiritual awakening. In an interview with The Journal, he quoted St. Augustine, “Man is made with an emptiness in his heart that only God can fill”. Mark said for him this included overcoming the idea of the white man’s God and realizing who Jesus Christ is; “He is everyone’s God.” Mark enrolled at Yellowstone Baptist College in Billings; it was there he met Michalyn Nelson. During summer breaks he served as camp counselor, worked with 5th Steps at an Indian Youth Treatment Center, visited jails and halfway houses. His volleyball team won the Billings City Championship. He was also a champion cribbage player. He graduated with degrees in Theology and Psychology on May 5, 1990, they married May 6, 1990, and then moved to Devils Lake where they made their home, and attended Bethel church. He worked at Little Hoop, Black Construction, and Klemetsrud’s. He collected wind energy data to get the wind turbine at the Casino. He also worked for Spirit Lake Planning, Hardee’s and the Casino. Mark was an avid reader, always carrying at least one book wherever he went. His personal library contained thousands of books, including science fiction, westerns, thrillers, Indian issues, political and current events, handyman and spiritual. He was inquisitive, intelligent and loved debating. He loved to laugh and had an outrageous, infectious sense of humor. Mark loved animals. For years he and Michalyn collected and distributed truckloads of pet food, gave mange shots and pulled porcupine quills. Dogs would chase his pickup through the housing because he always carried treats. They had many pets over the years; Sticky and Girlfriend were known to many. In the last years of life Mark had several surgical procedures and took pain medication. Sadly he slid back into chemical dependence. On February 14, 2010, Mark died at home, finally free of pain and addiction. We mourn the death of this vivacious, unique man, yet celebrate who he was. We are better people for having known and loved Mark. Survived by his wife Michalyn Longie; son Travis Leibfried from his marriage to Martine Senger; grandson Harrison Leibfried; brothers Erich Longie, Corwin Longie, Pete Longie, Chris Nelson Sr., Wesley Brown, Tom Brown and Ivan Brown; sisters Becky Hinojos, April St. Pierre and Bernadette Brown; father-in-law and mother-in-law Maxine and Marvin Nelson; many cousins, nieces, nephews, aunts and uncles also survive. Preceded in death by his parents, Steve and Mercie; daughter, Maryann Longie; sisters, Martina Young and Marcie McKay; brother, Phillip John Young and several aunts, uncles and cousins. Serving as Casket Bearers for Mark will be Darcy Longie, Marshall J. Longie, Ryan Longie, Tony Longie, Marshall P. Longie Jr., Vincent Hinojos, Chris Nelson Jr. and Phillip Alberts. Honorary Bearers will be Jay Klemetsrud, Lon Cockrill, Nels Nelson, Vincent Shaw Sr., Jane Lamrose, Sandra Miller, Bob Skaro, Rena Anderson, Tammy Putnam, Elaine Robertson, Rueben Hinojos, Robert McKay Sr., Corby McKay, Ken Graywater Sr., Al McKay, Lonnie Owlboy, Phillip G. Longie, Lorene Anderson, Russell McDonald, Ambrose Longie, Lavonne Alberts, John Straus, Lois and Keith Leben, Laverne IronRoad, John Eiola, Dan Johnson, Paul Johnson, Ben Dubois Jr. and Wilbert Robertson. If we have forgotten anyone, we apologize. Mark considered everyone a met a friend. Music will be provided by the Spirit Lake Singers, Jonathan Deckert and anyone is welcome to share their songs.