Clayton E. Blueshield

Clayton Earl Blueshield, “Wahacanka To”

Clayton E. Blueshield, 61 of Devils Lake and the Spirit Lake Nation, began his journey to his heavenly home on Tuesday, August 30, 2022 at CHI, St. Alexius Health, Devils Lake Hospital surrounded by a family who loved him with their whole heart. 

The Wake for Clayton will be held on Friday, September 2, 2022 at the Tokio Wellness Center in Tokio beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a time of prayer and remembrance at 7:00 p.m.  Funeral Services will be on Saturday, September 3rd, also at the Wellness Center at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the Dakotah Oyate Cemetery, rural Tokio ND.  The procession to Tokio will leave on Friday, September 2nd at 4:00 p.m. from City Plaza, Devils Lake. 

Psalm 73:26 NKJV 26 My flesh and my heart fail; But God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever.

On the morning of August 30th, 2022, our loved one, Clayton Blueshield, “Wahacanka To” peacefully slipped away to be with our precious Lord and Savior. His loving wife Ardell and his only brother Harlan were with him in the last precious moments.

Clayton claimed his victory in the Lord as he left behind his pain and worries. He prepared himself for his journey, getting ready spiritually through anointing of the sick and communion. He was able to visit loved ones by telephone to say pidamiya and toksa ake.

We respect Clayton's wishes to be laid to rest next to his brother Ron Greywater at Dakota Oyate Lutheran Church cemetery. Clayton requested the Arikara farewell song be rendered at the burial.

Officiants will be Pastor Damon Sturm, Deacon Tony McDonald, and Bishop Michael Cole.
Music by Neal Hale, Terry Halsey, special songs by nephews Stuart and Ethan Lohnes and a drum group. Everyone is invited to share music, songs and testimony.

Clayton Earl Blueshield was born March 19,1961 in Devils Lake ND to Theresa Blueshield and Verol Greywater. He was raised in the Woodlake community by his grandparents Joe Blueshield and Anna Yuhaha, mother Theresa, uncle Martin Blueshield and aunt Alice Dumarce. He attended schools in the area eventually graduating from Oak Grove in Fargo.

Clayton was an all around athlete in high school and received recognition for his athletic abilities. Although he tried all of the different sports, football was his passion. Clayton enjoyed singing in the choir eventually touring nation wide with Up with People. He continued his education and studied for the ministry at Lutheran Bible Institute, never hesitating to provide ministry outreach in the Seattle area. He continued his efforts on the reservation when he returned home to Spirit Lake serving as a lay minister.

Clayton devoted his life to serving God and helping lead people to the Lord. He was a very spiritual person and a prayerful man. Clayton was a citizen of the Spirit Lake Nation, he knew his language and Dakota ways. Clayton was very strong in his dedication to a sober life. He worked in the field of addiction, helping others to gain sobriety and wellness. He helped the younger generation in their search for a relationship with God, always praying for our young people and encouraging them to walk with our Lord.

He met Ardell McDonald through recommendations and referrals by relatives! It was a good match for these soul mates and they married on February 13th,1994. Sister Swadeau Halsey was proud to be the maid of honor for this marriage which has lasted 28 years. Clayton’s cousin, the late Jay Young was best man. And by coincidence, sister Myra went into labor and emergency surgery to deliver PJ at the same time the wedding was being held. When Clayton married Ardell, he took her two daughters as his own. When Christa was 14 years old, Clayton legally adopted her as his daughter. And she changed her name to Christa Blueshield. Ardell and Clayton went to school together, first earning AA degrees at United Tribes Technical College, then continuing for a BS in Human Resources at Valley City State University. Together as a family, they moved throughout the country for their work positions. They experienced life in Arizona, Nevada, Minnesota and eventually closer to home in Newtown and Spirit Lake.

Clayton enjoyed watching game shows with his grandson after school, cheering on his favorite team Minnesota Vikings, visiting with friends and relatives, watching Supernatural and old westerns, going out for a drive. All the simple things in life brought him the greatest joy. He spent all of his time with his wife and grandchildren. Due to his health conditions, Clayton was medically retired and had many challenges to his physical abilities. He faced these challenges for several years and handled them as best he could for as long as he could. We are grateful that he is resting in paradise, pain free and whole again.

Clayton was a very soft spoken, gentle person. If he was your friend, he was your true friend. He also had a great sense of humor, there are many memories of crazy times we shared as a family. When he married into the McDonald family he was accepted by everyone. He became part of the family in every way and supported all the family gatherings in sad times and the best of times. One of his last wishes was to say thank you to the McDonalds, his father in law Tony and brothers and sisters-in-law for treating him well and welcoming him into the family. He wanted to be sure they were recognized as honorary pallbearers for him. Clayton also asked that the Wells family be recognized as honorary pallbearers. Our mother, Vina McDonald comes from the Wells family. He had so much gratitude for how well they treated him. He said every time he ran into one of them they would always greet him with a handshake, ask how he's doing and visit. He was treated with the greatest respect and honor.

Active Pallbearers

Marshall Demarce, Leander Russell McDonald, Victor Pacheco, Chauncey Hopkins, Richard Cavanaugh, Joey Blueshield, PJ Lohnes, Ron Lohnes.

Honorary Pallbearers

Andy Demarce Jr, BJ Adams, Recovery & Wellness staff, Wicahpi Tawacinhehomni, Sharon Georgeson, Alberta Redfox, Lisa Georgeson, Pastor Floyd Hart, Evie McDonald, Damon Sturm, Antonette Swadeau & Terry Halsey, Molly McDonald, Myra Dubois, Fran McDonald, Doris Packineau, Mervel McDonald, Pat Blake, Richard and Wayne White Bear, Vance GoodIron, Bonnie White, and all the Wells and Sherwood family

Our heartfelt gratitude to Harlan Blueshield for taking good care of his brother, being there with Clayton when he needed him, visiting him and keeping him company. Thank you CHI Devils Lake hospital staff who provided care to Clayton during his last days. Wopida to his good friend Pastor Larry Thiele, father in law Tony McDonald, Bishop Michael Cole and Fr Antony for providing spiritual support as he was preparing for his journey. We are grateful for the support from Spirit Lake Tribe, Woodlake district and Lisa Georgeson and MHA nation. We say thank you to everyone who offered prayers for Clayton. He wanted to thank each and every one of you.

Welcoming Clayton Wahacanka To to God’s paradise are his grandparents Joe Blueshield and Anna Yuhaha, mother Theresa and father Verol, brothers Ron Greywater and Rocky Hill, baby sister Blueshield, relatives in the Blueshield and Greywater families, mother in law Vina McDonald, sister in law Mary Lohnes, and all his ancestors in the spirit world.

Clayton is loved and will be forever missed by his wife of 28 years, Ardell McDonald Blueshield, daughters Lynelle Whiteman and Christa Blueshield, brother Harlan Blueshield, sisters Tammy and Jolene Blueshield, father in law Tony McDonald, precious grandchildren Talley, Matthew, Noah, Kateri, Yvonne, Ayres, Malcolm; his aunts Sharon Georgeson and Alberta Redfox, uncle Ken & Bev Greywater, his relatives in the Lincoln, Herbert and Martin Blueshield families that he loved very much, his cherished Greywater and Anderson relatives; his McDonald family including Elliott & Shelly Ward, Neal  & Kim Hale, Darren Bruce, Bud & Renita Shaw, Sr Nancy Boushey, Wayne and Richard White Bear, Swadeau & Terry Halsey, Russell & Francine McDonald, Molly & Marshall Demarce, Myra & Clayton Dubois, Fran McDonald, Mervel & Karen McDonald, brother in law Ron Lohnes and all Wells and Sherwood family members.

Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44