Courtney Hope Whiteshield-Lara

I ha Woape Win (Smiles With Hope) Courtney Hope Whiteshield-Lara, 21 of Fargo formerly of the Spirit Lake Nation passed away on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 in Fargo ND.

Courtney Hope was born on June 17, 1999 at Devils Lake ND the daughter of Neva Whiteshield and Billy Joe Lara.  Courtney grew up on the Spirit Lake Nation, attended Four Winds School and obtained her GED through the Little Hoop Community College. She received her CNA certification and was furthering her education at the time of her death.

Courtney Hope was a free-spirit and when you crossed paths with her, you could feel her love and beautiful sol.  She was very outspoken, strong, and fierce. She had a smile that brought you into the light of love.  She loved her art, poetry, and music.  She loved doing her hair, make-up, and dress-up.  She loved spending time with her son, Kai.  She enjoyed spending time with her siblings and family.   She is loved.

Courtney is survived by her loving family Her son Kai Lara; mother Neva Whiteshield; father Billy Joe Lara; grandparents Elaine and Duane Guy and Roberta Lara; sisters Kareena Whiteshield, Sherea (Lathan) Lenoir, Jordain (Chazz Reeves) Bellanger, Holokanwin Chasing Hawk, Sabrina Lara and elissia Lara; brothers Lee (Samantha) Lenoir Jr., Billy Duane Lara, Ernesto Lara, Zyden Lara, Armando Lara and Ben Lara; nieces Neleaha, Amelia and Zureelee; nephews Nathen, Major, Keon and Lincoln; aunts and uncles Miranda Guy, Lynn Guy, Suna Guy, Sandra Lara, Clint Lara, LeRoy Lara, Merrill IronHawk, Aaron IronHawk and many cousins and other beloved relatives of the Lara family, BlackBull family, Sharon Brien family, Bernadine Whiteshield family and Freeman Whiteshield family. 

She was preceded in death by her grandparents Felix and Lucy Whiteshield, Mary Louise Lovejoy, Mary Ann BlackBull, Richard Whiteshield, Wilson Whiteshield, Doris Whiteshield, Tina Marie Whiteshield, Nita Faye  Whiteshield, Theresa and Charles Charboneau and other beloved relatives.

Casket Bearers will be her brother Lee Lenoir Jr., uncles Clint Lara and LeRoy Lara, cousins Estraya Lara, Johnathon Knutson, Merrill Ironhawk, Aaron Ironhawk, Gabe Guy and Denzel Guy.

Honorary Bearers will be Mrs. Nelson, Chance Guy, Theresa BlackLance, Kadija Traore, Erin BlackBull, Laci BlackBull, Nykol BlackBull and Elissa Lara. If we forgot to name someone, it was not intentional. Courtney held you all with love, close to her heart.

Visitation will be held for Courtney on Friday, December 18, 2020 from 4:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be at St. Michael’s Catholic Church on Saturday, December 19, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend Paul Schuster celebrating the Mass.  The procession to St. Michael will leave at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday from City Plaza.