Carl Dean Merrick

Carl D. Merrick “Ta Howasté Wakan” (His Holy Voice)

Carl Dean Merrick, was born on March 29, 1954 and began his journey to the Spirit World on Thursday, November 7, 2024 at the Golden Acres Manor in Carrington, ND.

Carl Dean Merrick ~ Ta Howaste Wakan “His Holy Voice” was born to Rita Jackson and Raymond Merrick Sr. on March 29, 1954 in Devils Lake, ND. Carl was raised on the Spirit Lake Nation and attended school in Warwick where he later graduated high school. 

Carl met and fell in love with Renae Ann Jerome (Hoffner). They were united in marriage on July 19, 1984. Carl and Renae made their home in St. Michael. From this union was born their daughter Kayla. Because she was an only child, she was their pride and joy. 

When Carl was 17, his brother Kenny Sr. and uncle Ignatius Jackson took him to the drum where his love for original style singing began. Carl sang with many drum groups through the years and sat among singing legends such as Jimmy Smith and Danny Seaboy. Some of his favorite drum groups were High Noon, Big Bear, and of course his nephews Mystic River. His love for pow wow was engrained in who he was. He liked to hear about his family dancing and singing. He was so proud of his family. 

Carl had a lighthearted and comedic nature. He was always teasing and cracking a joke. Whenever he was around you were laughing. Not only was he a jokester, but he was also a Pool Shark. He hustled many pool players throughout the years. 

 Carl was such a special presence in the community and will be dearly missed.

Carl’s loving family include his daughter Kayla Walking Elk (Charles); grandchildren Brooklyn Longie, Marshawn Longie, Zayden Merrick and Charles Walking Elk III (“Handsome Man”); sisters Merle Botone (Barnie), Rose LeBeau, Marty Jackson, and Lorna Youngbird (Delmer); brothers Samuel Merrick, Raymond J. Merrick, Darin Jackson, Wesley Jackson, and Duane Jackson; aunts Carol Black, Diane Jackson, and Doris Jackson; uncle Jim Baker Sr.; many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents Rita and Raymond, step father Sylvester Jackson, wife Renae Merrick, uncle and auntie Frank and Pauline Myrick, brothers Kenneth Merrick Sr. and Ray Merrick Jr.; sisters Carla Merrick, Mardell Jackson, and Martina Jackson, nephew Kenneth Merrick Jr., nieces Maryann Many Ribs, Hope Rough, and LaRae Jackson, grandson Richard “Ritchie” Street III and many other Jackson and Merrick relatives.

Casket Bearers: Zayden Merrick, Charles Walking Elk Jr., Charles Walking Elk III, Jasten Bearstail, DJ Many Ribs, Todd Rough, Samuel Merrick Jr., Duane Jackson Jr., Joel RedFox Jr., Cody Ray Merrick, Briar LeBeau and Kasen Street. 

Honorary Bearers: Glen Abraham, Clifford “Mushrat” Cavanaugh, Roger Brown, St. Rose Care Center Staff and Residents, Golden Acre Manor Staff, Corrine Brown, Frances “Punchy” Cavanaugh, Terry Halsey, Helena Little Ghost, Red Lake Singers, Lake Region Singers, Belgarde Family, Cathy and James Yankton, Juliea Brathovde, Frankie Chaske, Joe and Barb Jackson, ReNa Lohnes, Yvonne Chase, Spirit Lake Ambulance, Debbie Little, Josie and Clarice Lawrence, Catherine Court, Lyda Bearstail, Harriet GoodIron, Delreen Robertson, Phyllis Jackson, Debbie Jackson, Donna White Buffalo, Crazy Horse Roy Bison, Roland Johnson, Sheila Many Ribs, Tracy “Buzz” Chase, Loreen Anderson, Rena Anderson, Teresa Henry, Clifford Walking Elk, Rocky Littlewind, Dewey Hosie, Ted Noon, Ron Noon, Myron RedDay, Jeannie Chaske, Jason LaRock, Willard Yellow Bird, Gary Longie, Melissa Lau, the White Family, the Feather family. If we forgot to name anyone, please forgive us it was not intentional. Carl was loved by many and he in turn loved you all.

There will be a Wake for Carl on Thursday, November 14th, 2024 at St. Michael’s Wellness Center beginning at 5:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael will leave on Thursday at 4:00 p.m. from City Plaza, Devils Lake. The Funeral Service will be on Friday, November 15th at 10:00 a.m. also at the Wellness Center with Reverend Paul Schuster officiating. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery.