Garry T. DeMarrias

Garry Todd Demarrias, “Wahačanka Duta” (Red Shield) 58 of Fort Totten, ND passed away on Thursday, February 7, 2019 in Fort Totten.

The Wake for Garry will be held at the Tekakwitha Center, St. Michael, ND on Wednesday, February 13, 2019 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a time of Prayer and Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday from the City Plaza.

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Thursday, February 14^th at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Father Paul Schuster celebrating the Mass.  Garry will be laid to rest at the “Double M” Ranch, St. Michael, ND. 

Garry Todd, son of Martin David DeMarrias and Marlene Gourd was born on June 13, 1960 at Devils Lake, ND. He was raised in the St. Michael area of Spirit Lake Nation.  He attended St. Mary’s Academy from Kindergarten through 9^th grade and graduated from the Crow Creek High School in South Dakota with the class of 1979.  While in high school he was a Golden Glove Boxer with the local Boxing Club. 

Garry continued his education at the Candeska Cikana Community College and earned his certificate in office management. From 1981 to 1983, he attended UND and was working towards his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management.  Garry was at one time married to Darlene LaCroix and they were the proud parents of 3 children, Brent, Barry and Ashley.

Garry returned to the Spirit Lake Nation and worked as the Finance Manager at the St. Michael Bingo Hall then later worked in Contract Health for the Indian Health Services Office for several years. He made the change to Tribal Finance as a payroll clerk for several years, but returned to Contract Health where he worked until he retired. 

In younger years, Garry was very active in Sundance, sweats and other activities of his Native American traditions. He loved to cook and liked to walk for exercise and was most likely listening to music while doing any and all activities.  He loved to keep up with any music that was popular at the time.  Garry loved to be a stay at home “Grandpa”, being with his grandkids and spending time with his family. When the grandkids weren’t around, he enjoyed online gambling, but preferred trips to the Casino where he would see old friends and make new ones. 

Garry will be so very missed by all who knew and loved him.

Garry’s loving family include his sons Brent (Tamara) DeMarrias and Barry (Myranda) DeMarrias both of Fort Totten; daughter Ashley (Thomas Robertson) DeMarrias, Devils Lake; seventeen grandchildren Shaylynn, Shawnathan, Mya, Marco, Kenyon and Kenroy: Autumn, Myrissa, Layla, Hailey, Barry Jr. and Kasey: Clevelynn, Chayanne, Anthony Jr., Ashton and Nickolas; mother of his children Darlene Geller; brothers Gregory DeMarrias, Norman J. DeMarrias and Matthew DeMarrias all of St. Michael; sisters Tammy Lightning of Canada, Joy (Davey) Davidson and Candice Anderson both of St. Michael; brother-in-law Sam Merrick Sr.; favorite special aunt Judith “Judy” Ami; brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law Lois and Keith Leben, Patty and Ross Leaf, Sylvester and Kenneth LaCroix and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandson Wyatt; brothers Marvin Anderson Jr. and Mark DeMarrias; sister Valerie Merrick; grandparents Jacob and Melvina Gourd; uncles Kenneth “Butch” Gourd and Garry Gourd; nephew Grant Davidson; brothers-in-law Elston Lightning, Joe LaCroix and Stanley LaCroix.

Active Pallbearers will be Derrick Ami, David Wee, Lawrence Lightning, Sam “Jr” Merrick, Randy Leben, Kyle Redfox, Lydell Merrick and Daniel Peterson.

Honorary Bearers will be Frank Redroad, Frank Lohnes, Archie and Barrett Mudgett and family, Doug Seventy, Doug Lohnes, David Lohnes, Dana Lohnes, Jessie Butts, Ron and Mary Lohnes, Robert “Bushy” Lohnes, Tom Bellile, Tim Bellile, Peter Bellile, Richard “Nixon” Jackson, Terry Herman, Francis “Frenchie” Brown, Charlie Morin, Kenny Lohnes, Philip “Scooter” Lohnes, Bonnie Herman, Elaine Robinson, Shana Lohnes, Delphine Cavanaugh, Brenda (Dale) WhiteTail, King and Carolyn WalkingEagle, Martina KaZana, Carmen Littlewind and family, the BlueShield family, Littlewind family, Walking Eagle family, Thomas family, Chaske family, Catherine Howard and family, Helena Littleghost and family, Richard “Marv” Luger and family, Jeannie Cavanaugh and family.