Douglas F. Longie

Douglas Francis “Chuck” Longie, “Wambdi Wayan  Kapi” (Looking at Eagles) passed over to the Spirit World on Friday, May 24, 2024 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center in Lakota, ND.

There will be a visitation at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake on Wednesday, May 29, 2024 from 5:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. A Celebration of Life will be held at the funeral home on Thursday, May 30, 2024 at 1:00 p.m. Burial will be held at the North Dakota Veterans Cemetery, rural Mandan ND. 

Douglas Francis Longie, son of Clarence Joseph and Frances (Cavanaugh) Longie was born on May 30, 1942 at the Fort Totten Hospital. He spent a few of his very early years in Van Port, Oregon where he got the nickname Chuck. 

He attended school at the St. Michael Little Flower Mission School, and Fort Totten Community School before moving with his parents to Butte, Montana. He continued his education there. 

Chuck enlisted in the United States Marine Corp on October 31, 1960 and proudly served his country during the Vietnam War. While stationed in Okinawa, Japan he earned his GED. He was honorably discharged on October 30, 1964 with the rank of Lance Corporal. 

After his discharge, he made his home in Sioux City, Iowa for three years. He and his daughter, Jodie, sons Wade and Clarence moved back to the Spirit Lake Nation where he lived, worked and raised his family. 

He was employed with the Spirit Lake Tribe most of his working career. He served as a Tribal Police Officer for 9 years, then as a Tribal Judge for 10 years after he had embarked on continuing his education at UND, Grand Forks, graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Criminal Justice. He wanted to continue to contribute to his people and was a Cultural Instructor at Head Start (other grades too) and a Bus Driver for many years. Being around children who were so eager to learn, brought such joy to his heart. He was always a favorite “Bus Driver” or “Grandpa” to the bus riders and they looked forward to Friday when Chuck handed out treats.  

Rhea Crane knew the family since 1980 and she and Chuck began a life together in 1996. They lived, loved and had a beautiful life together for 27 years and they were united in marriage on May 15, 2023. They made their home on a farm in rural St. Michael. They loved the country life, taking in the wonders and beauty of mother earth and enjoying the companionship of dogs, cats, goats, rabbits and cattle. They loved the outdoors, walking, mowing, even shoveling snow in the winter. He enjoyed several hobbies that included “collecting antiques”, collecting many things which varied from year to year.  

Doug was baptized and confirmed at Christ the King Church in Tokio. In his later years, he enjoyed playing his guitar and singing with the choir and various groups at St. Olaf Lutheran Church. 

Chuck loved to tease, to tickle, to show love anyway he could to his children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. They were his pride and joy. 

Chuck is survived by his wife Rhea; daughter Jodie (Brian Morken) Longie; sons Glen Crane, Minneapolis MN, Wade Longie, St. Michael, ND and Clarence Longie, Devils Lake; grandchildren Rielly Morken, Madison Morken, Dayton Lambert, Cameron Longie, Avery Longie, Jaysha Longie, Daylen LeftBear, Kelen Longie, Ashton Longie; great grandchildren Avery, Taylor, Oliver and Rowan; sisters Helen Jacobs, Devils Lake, Mary Agnes Swigart, Fort Totten, Katherine Barr, Fargo ND and Diane Butts, Memphis TN; brother Orrin Olson, Devils Lake; sister-in-law Catherine Longie; Native American brother, Ken Hill and many treasured nieces, nephews, cousins and their families. 

He will be united with his Lord and Savior, his parents, grandson Drew Longie, brothers Clarence Longie and Joe Longie and sister Cindy Olson and many other dear relatives. 

A special thank you to the staff at the Lakota Good Samaritan for their wonderful care, to Tribal Health and Hospice of the Red River Valley.