MARY MELINDA THOMPSON

Mary Melinda Thompson, “ Wambdi Ho Waste Win” (Good Voice Eagle Woman) 82 of St. Michael, ND passed away on Tuesday, April 13, 2010 at Trinity Medical Center in Minot, ND. A Wake for Mary will be held at the Tekakwitha Center, St. Michael, ND on Sunday, April 18, 2010 with Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to the Tekakwitha Center will leave at 5:00 p.m. on Sunday from Wal-Mart. Mass of Christian Burial for Mary will be on Monday at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church. Fr. Brian Moen will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery. Mary Melinda was born on December 13, 1927 the daughter of James and Mary Agnes (Feather-Mazakahomni) Littleghost Sr. in rural St. Michael, ND. She lived almost her entire life on the Spirit Lake Nation. She attended school at the Little Flower Mission School, St. Michael and also at Calvary Square Boarding School in Fort Totten. In the mid 1940’s, Mary was united in marriage to William Henry Herald and they established their home in the St. Michael area. Mary worked for many years in the Laundry Department at Mercy Hospital. She also worked for the Spirit Lake Tribe with the Elderly Meals Program. Mary met James Thompson in 1970 and they would make a life together for over 40 years. They were united in marriage in 1976. They lived in the St. Michael area until 2009 when they moved to the Rolette Community Nursing Center, Rolette, ND. Mary was a member of St. Mary’s Society, St. Joseph’s Society and the Native American Church. Mary was a devoted, loving and caring wife, mother and grandmother. She dedicated herself to raising her children and many of her grandchildren. Mary wanted her children and grandchildren to live a life of caring and providing for family, living a life of faith and living a life of sharing with family and friends. That is the example she set for all. Her love is in our hearts forever as we give her over to God’s care. Mary is survived by her husband, James Thompson Sr. of Rolette; children, Jeanette Herald and Trudy BlackBird of St. Michael, twins, Vincent Herald of St. Louis, Missouri and Virgil Herald of Devils Lake, Willis Herald of Fort Totten and James Thompson Jr. also of St. Michael; 36 grandchildren, Janel Herald, Dennis Poni-Cappo Jr., Denise Poni-Cappo, Jarrett Smith Sr., Lorinda DeMarce, Cali DeMarce; Kimberlee RedRoad, Candice RedRoad, Robyn Brown; Marlin Herald, Nicole Ross, Alithea Cree, Lorry Cree; JayColette Herald-Gordon; Virgil Herald Jr., Twila Herald, Tyrone Herald; Lisa Herald, Robert Thompson; Dane Herald, Daniel Herald Jr., Shannadea Herald, Devin Herald, Laurielle Herald, Cameron Herald; Jeremy DeMarce, Aerial DeMarce, Jerome DeMarce Jr., Donald Whiteman; James Thompson III, Latasha Thompson, Fiona Thompson, Rashawn Thompson, Porsha Thompson, Taylor Thompson and Cameron Thompson; many great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter, Norrah Abigail Gourneau; brother, Lawrence Littleghost Sr. of St. Michael; half brother, Leroy Littleghost; half sisters, Maxine Peltier and Arlene Gomez; many nieces, nephews and their families also survive. Mary was preceded in death by her parents; children, Patsy Herald, Celestine Herald, William Darren Herald, Roxanne Herald-Lenoir, Daniel Herald and Marjorie Herald-Kirk; grandchildren, Danarie Herald, Christopher DeMarce, Gabriel Smith Jr. and Avery FlyingHorse; brothers, Francis Littleghost Sr., Eugene Littleghost, Jordan Littleghost and James Littleghost Jr.; great grandfather, Hein Inka Duta (Red Tip) and great great grandfather, Wambdi Sapa (Black Eagle). Serving as Casket Bearers for Mary will be Jeremy DeMarce, Donald Whiteman, Jerome DeMarce Jr., Dennis Poni-Cappo Jr., Jarrett C. Smith Sr., Richard Littleghost, Mark Littleghost and Terry Ross. Honorary Bearers will be all of Mary’s Dear Family and Friends and members of St. Mary’s Society and St. Joseph’s Society. Music will be provided by Tony and Vina McDonald and Drum Groups: Eagle Tail and St. Michael’s Singers