Claudette Jackson Ross

Our loved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend Claudette Jackson Ross has traveled on to be with our Creator God. She left us on Friday, June 29, 2018 while hospitalized at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks. Her daughter and family members were by her side throughout her health crisis and held her close as she peacefully journeyed on.

Wake services will be held Friday July 6. 2018 at 5 pm at St Michael’s Wellness Center with a Prayer Service at 7 pm. The procession to St. Michael will leave at 5 p.m. from City Plaza, Devils Lake.

Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 7, 2018 at 10 am at St. Michael’s Wellness Center. Reverend Paul Schuster and Deacon Tony McDonald will officiate. Burial will be in St. Michael’s Cemetery.

Pallbearers for Claudette will be Pernell Jackson Sr, Joseph Jackson Sr, Derrick Jackson, Keith Greywater, Donovan Lambert, Tyrell Alberts, Vance Thompson and Dayson Jackson.

Honorary Pallbearers are Alfrieda Dunn & Bob Charboneau, Fallon & Keith Greywater, Bonnie Owlboy, Colleen Alberts, Connie & Jeannie Charboneau, Kim Cavanaugh, Leah Cook, Tracy Buzz Charboneau, Challsey Scallon, Mary Lou Fallis, Tony & Vina McDonald, Nancy Green Robertson, Myra Pearson, Duane Jackson & family, Violet Jackson & family, Arlis (Phil) Littlewind, Diane Jackson, Cathy Redroad & family, Michael Belgarde, Brenda Belgarde, Vern & Velma Lambert, Sonta Dauphinais, Debbie Little, Belinda Murphy, Anissa Delorme, Bruce & Penny Walking Eagle, Bobbi Dunn, Esther Ironhawk, Maggie Jones, Nathan Jones Jr, Jenny Chaske, Holly Hill, Kim Three Irons & family, Sherri St Pierre, Denise Dauphinais, Sam Merrick Sr & family, Perry Mudgett Jr, Connie Rainbow, Rena Lohnes, Debra Cavanaugh, Loreen Wiggs Anderson, Tina Jackson, Ardell Blueshield & family, Darcie Delorme & family, Clarence Leftbear family, Chance Herman, Sally Cavanaugh, Barbara Bubbles Jackson, Sandy Jackson and the Kunshis Elaine Robertson, Helena Littleghost, Pauline Greywater, Libby Littleghost and SMC Co-workers.

Claudette Jackson Ross was born on May 8, 1953 in Devils Lake ND to Ignatius Jackson Sr. and Sadie Smith Jackson. She is a descendant of Chief Sleepy Eye. She lived in the St. Michael area and attended schools in St. Michael, Maddock and Fort Totten. Claudette was baptized in the Catholic faith and believed in God and prayer. During her last days, she asked Deacon Tony McDonald to pray for her so he visited with her and brought along a priest to administer anointing of the sick. Claudette was a believer and prayed the salvation prayer with her daughter.

Claudette was raised in a traditional home, rich in history and culture. The Jackson family was well known and respected throughout Indian Country.  Claudette was a part of the dance circle and was a fancy shawl dancer. Her family followed the pow-wow trail and made many friends along the way.  Everyone danced or sang at the drum with the father, Ignatius Sr. 

In 1970 Claudette met her husband Solomon “Buddy” Ross and they married on March 5, 1971. They made their home in Fort Totten and raised their family of 4 sons Wade Thomas, Rory Jason, Russ and Klae and 1 daughter Ashley; sadly Russ and Klae died in infancy. Claudette and Buddy cared for their grandchildren and adopted their grandson Lance Mahto Ross.

Claudette had a great love for her husband and when he was diagnosed with kidney failure, she willingly took the tests and was a perfect match and gave her husband great gifts…a kidney and a prolonged life with their family. Buddy passed on October 27, 2011 after they shared 40 years of marriage. Claudette continued to work hard to provide a home for their sons, daughter and grandchildren. Her son Wade passed on June 16, 2012, not long after his father. Claudette missed them so much and was devastated when she lost her son Rory on February 25. 2017.

She was a hard working woman and began to experience health issues after losing her husband and sons. Her daughter Ashley and her grandchildren depended on her and Claudette thought the world of them. Her grandchildren were her treasures and when she was in the hospital, getting ready for her journey to the next camp, she hesitated to leave this Earth because she wanted to make sure they would be okay.

On March 26, 1979, Claudette began a long career at Sioux Manufacturing Corporation. She worked for 39 years and recently received recognition for her many years of service as a weaver. Claudette was a hard working person for her entire life.

Claudette was a softball Mama, head cheerleader and tailgater for the Dakota Outlaws. The softball team, coached by her husband Buddy made it to the State Softball Tournament.  She was very proud of their teamwork. 

Claudette enjoyed spending time with her grandchildren, checking out the casino and visiting friends. She was a very down to earth person, humble, friendly and dedicated to her family.

She will be greatly missed by her loving family; daughter Ashley Ross Feather & David Keo, son Lance Mahto Ross, adopted sons Tyrell Alberts and Donovan Lambert; special grandsons Kieran Wayde Herman and Richard James Feather Jr; grandchildren Sierrah, Heaven, Rachel, Richard Jr, Tiffany, Shayna, Jared, Shantel, Wyatt, Leanna, Claudia, Lachelle, Krista, Alice, Rory Jr, Cameron, Lance; great grandchildren Cataleya, Nautica, Landyn, Layla, Kassandra, Richard, Shambree, Kieran, Kayden, Kole; brother Burton Joe & Barbara Jackson, St. Michael; sisters Phyllis Jackson, Paula & Joseph Butch Goulet of Tomah, Wisconsin, Debra L. Jackson, St. Michael, Antonette (Swadeau) & Terry Halsey, Newtown ND; sisters-in-law Doris Longie, Diane Jackson, Anita Bear, Sonja Knox; brother-in-law Alvin & Laverne Bear. Her many nieces and nephews were all special to her. Claudette thought highly of her many relatives at Spirit Lake and Wisconsin.

Claudette is reunited with her parents, husband Solomon Buddy Ross, sons Klae, Russ, Wade & Rory, her grandparents Paul Spear Smith & Estella Brown Smith, Lillian Chase & Michael Jackson, brothers Phillip Jackson, Adrian Jackson, Ignatius Jackson Jr.; son-in-law Richard Feather.

Music will be provided by Vina and Tony McDonald and family and all drum groups are invited to remember Claudette through sharing of music and songs.

Heartfelt gratitude to Mercy Hospital, Altru Health Care systems, Spirit Lake Ambulance and Spirit Lake Tribal Programs. Because of your help and medical care, Claudette was able to enjoy more time with her loved ones. 

Gilbertson Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements for Claudette Ross.