Julia Ann Smith-Alberts

Julia Ann Smith-Alberts, “Buckskin” 53 of Bismarck, ND formerly of the Spirit Lake Nation died on Saturday, October 31, 2009 at St. Alexis Hospital, Bismarck, ND. Mass of Christian Burial for Julia will be held on Thursday, November 5, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church, St. Michael. Fr. Brian Moen will officiate and burial will be in St. Michael’s Catholic Cemetery. The Wake for Julia will be held at St. Michael’s Recreation Center on Wednesday beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael’s Recreation Center will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday from Wal-Mart. Serving as Casket Bearers for Julia Ann will be James Alberts, Tracy Alberts, Frank Lohnes Jr., Jeremy Alberts, Jason Alberts and Donald Belgarde Jr. Honorary Bearers will be Alyssa, Vonnie Jo and Vicki Alberts, Lori Wells, Ella Lafrombois, Corrine Brown, Imogene Belgarde, Debbie Adams, Elaine TwoBears-Gipp, Winona Fox, Linda Alberts-Thompson, Annie TwoHearts, Allen (LeAnn) Alberts Jr., Beesh Alberts, Marlene Anderson, Burl McCaslin Jr., Jennifer (James) Alberts-Robertson, Jessica Alberts, Jewell Alberts, Tiffany Foss, Jennifer Drake, James and Melinda Thompson, Loretta Delorme, Viola Delorme, Diane Lohnes, Clifford Cavanaugh, Bruno Cavanaugh, Melvin Greybear Jr., Michael Cavanaugh Jr., Kathy Rider, Peggy Cavanaugh, Rosalie Baer, Barbara WalkingEagle, Rita Willow, Jolene Alberts, Henry Alberts, Lori Alberts, Lorraine Alberts, Violet Thompson-Smith, Calvin “Gopher” Littlewind, Sally Alberts, Tristan Alberts, Miss Nita Grover and Will Spencer and all of Julia’s dear family and many friends. Julia Ann was born on April 19, 1956 at Devils Lake, ND the daughter of Victoria (Longchase) and Romauld Alberts Sr. She lived most of her childhood and young adult life in the St. Michael area attending the Mission School and later attending school in Stephen, South Dakota. Julia Ann was united in marriage to David Smith Sr. and they made their home in St. Michael. She received her GED from Little Hoop Community College and worked for the Spirit Lake Tribe in their Chemical Dependency Unit in Fort Totten and also worked at Sioux Manufacturing. In 1990, Julia Ann moved to Bismarck where she worked in the Housekeeping Department of many of the local hotels. But Julia’s main priority was always to care for her family as a devoted mother and grandmother and giving her special tender loving care to Michael Thomas. Julia loved to cook and she always had a meal ready in minutes for anyone who stopped by to visit. Soup was her specialty and a dear friend commented “I will dearly miss her soup kitchen.” She enjoyed rummage sales and singing along to her favorite songs on the radio. She was a faithful fan of Joyce Meyers Ministries and watched her on TV every morning. Julia was a very loving and generous person who loved to joke around but she was always there with a shoulder to cry on and an ear to bend. She will be so dearly missed by all. Julia Ann is survived by her loving children: Brian (Waynita Chaske) Alberts, CrowHill~Lisa Ann Herald, Mandan, ND~Tammy Smith, Duluth, MN~Billie Jo Smith, Bismarck and many grandchildren including Special Grandson: Michael Thomas Smith; Special Granddaughter: Alisha LaVallie; Grandson and Granddaughter: Brandon Alberts and Destiny Jo Klesalek; Long-Time Companion: Alfred Vaulters; Special Friend: Charles Falcon Brothers and Sisters: Romauld Alberts Jr, Bismarck~Cynthia Alberts, St. Micheal~Myra (Frank) Lohnes also Bismarck~Joe Alberts Sr. also of St. Michael; Aunt: Virginia Foote of Raub, ND; Father of their children: David Smith Sr. Many cousins, nieces, nephews and their families and many dear friends also survive. Julia Ann was preceded in death by her parents; son, David Smith Jr.; brothers, Henry Alberts and Thomas Alberts.