Martin "Marty" Blueshield

Martin “Marty” Blueshield Wâhachak’a Toh (BlueShield) Our dear family member, Martin Blueshield, went home to our loving Father on Thursday, February 18, 2010 at Mercy Hospital in Devils Lake, North Dakota. Martin was born on May 15, 1943 at the east end of the Spirit Lake reservation to Joseph Blueshield and Anna Yuhaha Blueshield. He spent his early years at Little Flower Mission School in St. Michael, later attending culinary school in California under the Relocation Program. Martin had a strong work ethic, working a variety of different occupations including being a ranch hand, night watchman, security guard, and most recently as a housekeeper for 13 years at Spirit Lake Casino. In the late nineties, Martin began to experience health issues. In spite of his illness, he continued to work and take care of himself and his family, always facing his challenges courageously and without complaint. His favorite past times included watching boxing movies, especially his favorite Muhammad Ali, visiting friends and family, listening to “old school” country, and telling stories about the old times. Martin had a special devotion to his great grandson, Trudell. They had a very special relationship and Martin always made sure that Trudell’s every need was met. Martin was a lifelong member of the Native American Church, serving as the local chapter president. He maintained close ties with fellow Native American Church members, and he was a very spiritual person who respected all faiths, often attending church services when possible. His memory will be cherished and forever in the hearts of his loving family; son Martin and Theresa Diamond, Canonsburg, PA; brother, Herbert Blueshield, Tokio ; sister, Mary Hall, Sioux Valley, Manitoba, Canada; special great grandson, Trudelle Martin Leftbear; special granddaughter, Amber Gourd; special niece, Tammy Graywater, Devils Lake; nephews , Clayton and Ardell Blueshield of Newtown, ND, Harlan Blueshield of Tokio, and Edward Rocky Hill of Warwick; nieces, Randi Jean Johnson, Mesa, Arizona, and Jolene Mitzel of Bismarck; Canada; adopted sister, Fran Warner, Tokio; adopted brother, Jerome DeWolfe Martin will be welcomed home by his beloved family members: his parents, Joseph and Anna Yuhaha Blueshield; sisters, Theresa Blueshield, Alice Dumarce and Jean Blueshield; brothers, Lincoln Blueshield and Gabriel Young. Active Pallbearers: Demus McDonald Calvin Smith Sr. Jack Warner Richard Cavanaugh Roland Johnson Joe Blueshield Sr. Billy Tomahawk Jr. Alvin Blueshield Honorary Pallbearers: Jerome DeWolfe Duane Guy Dean Young Elmer Brown Vern Driver Jerry Guy Thaddeus Demarce Sr. Allen McKay Albert Thompson Zachary Thompson Ordell Guy Quentin Yankton Sr. Rocky Littlewind Lawrence Littleghost Eugene & Sylvia Hale Stephanie Armstrong Ardell Blueshield Aloysius Cloud Spirit Lake Ambulance Spirit Lake Casino Staff All Native American Church Members Nathan Jenkins, Chuck Graywater, Gloria Demarce and Frank Hall We want to remember Martin’s nieces, nephews, and grandchildren: Julia and Roland Johnson June Blueshield Martina Matson Sheila Blueshield Darla and Larry Thiele Joe Blueshield Joan Blueshield Alvin Blueshield Kevin Blueshield Delilah Blueshield Valerie Blueshield Lynette Blueshield Lorna and Ron Walking Eagle Patty Sam Eric Dubois Monica Dubois Adeline Blueshield & Duane Jackson Wesley Young Trudy Laroque Jay Young Dean Young Delbert Demarce Kenny Demarce Sr. Hall Family of Sioux Valley, Manitoba, Canada Services Wake services will be Wednesday, February 24, 2010 at 5:00 p.m. at Woodlake Recreation Center, Tokio. Prayer service will be at 7:00 p.m. Funeral service will be at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, February 25, 2010 with burial at the Native American cemetery, rural Tokio. Music will be provided by McDonald family, Frank Hapa, Melissa Merrick, and Rhythm Riders.