Duane "Dean" A. BlackBird

Duane Allen “Dean” BlackBird was born on December 13, 1954 to Beatrice Adel (Belgarde) and Jerome L. BlackBird Sr. and began his journey to the Spirit World on Friday, September 25, 2020 at his home in Fort Totten ND.

Duane enlisted in the Marines on July 28, 1972 and was stationed in San Diego, CA.  While in the Marines, Duane earned his high school diploma.  He was a Lineman and also received a Sharpshooter Medal.  Duane was discharged from the Marines on April 28, 1975.

Duane did many things during his life, including construction, was a mechanic and was also an ordained minister.  He was at one time married to Hilda DeMarce.

He loved Elvis Presley music, going for drives, visiting family, working on cars, watching movies and going to the Casino.  He had an incredibly special pet dog, Buggy.

Dean will be greatly missed by all of his dear family and many friends.

Dean is survived by his children Jenny BlackBird and Gena BlackBird; four grandchildren; brothers Lewis Blackbird, Fort Totten, ND, Jerome BlackBird Jr., Devils Lake, ND, Todd Belgarde Sr., Lorman Owlboy Sr. and Jay Joramo Jr. all of St. Michael, ND; sisters Darlene (Terry) Myhre, Devils Lake, Jackie (Daniel) Peltier, St. Michael, Janice Joramo Gamel, Devils Lake and Sandy Joramo, St. Michael, ND; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Preceded in death by his father Jerome BlackBird Sr. and his mother Beatrice BlackBird Joramo, son Clayton BlackBird, brother Ellie J. BlackBird, nephews T.J. Belgarde Jr. and Davy Belgarde, grandparents and several aunts and uncles.

Pall Bearers for Duane will be Raybert Littlewind, Matthea “Sam” McKay, Nicholas Joramo, Phoenix Joramo, Tristan BlackBird and Charlie BlackBird.

Honorary Bearers as Richard “Dickey” Thomas, Francis “Frenchy” Brown, Aloysius Thompson, Sheila Thompson, LuLu Thompson, Debbie Bendickson, Owen McKay Sr, Frank Redroad, John and Ramona Chaske and Blake Azure.  A special thanks to Tribal Nurse, Gail Olafson,, the Spirit Lake EMS crew, Okiciyapi QSP Agency for all the help taking care of Duane and Fort Totten Law Enforcement.   

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, September 30, 2020 at the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m.  A Graveside Service will be held on Thursday, October 1, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Jerome’s Catholic Cemetery, rural Fort Totten.  The procession to St. Jerome’s will leave from the Gilbertson Funeral Home, Devils Lake at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.