Joel Dunn

Joel Brent Dunn, “Wiyaka Wanjina” (One Feather) 41 of Jamestown ND began his journey to the Spirit World on Tuesday, February 13^th, 2024, at his home.

Joel was born on October 29^th, 1982 to Calvin Dean Dunn of St. Michael ND and the late Lorey Thomas of Fort Totten ND. Joel attended Tate Topa Tribal School during his elementary and some of the middle school years. In middle school he was on the wrestling team and won various awards. He also loved playing basketball and helped his teams win in many tournaments. The end of his middle school and high school years were attended in Devils Lake.

Joel’s early childhood was spent with his three older brothers Joseph, Louis, and Branden. He was always protective of his two younger sisters Darika and Leandra. As a younger boy he had a passion for Rodeos and horses. One of his favorite pastimes was riding and tending to their horses and going to rodeos with his late Grandpa Herbie Thomas and his Dad. Joel was always a talented athlete. Joel’s Indian name was handed down to him by his grandpa. 

Joel had a son at a young age, named Kenneth Iron Moccasin. After the birth of his son, he began his hard-working journey. He worked many jobs but loved the concrete construction field. He started his concrete work with Strata Corporation where he began a lifelong friendship with Larry Elshaug and Don Kraft. After Strata he started working at Elshaug Concrete Construction. 

In July of 2004 he met the love of his life, Jackie Hunt. Together they raised five children, Jackie’s two daughters Charice and Latrice and their three children Damingo, Joliese and Ira and a grandson Rocco. 

Joel always made sure his family had what they needed and more. They enjoyed family vacations to the state fairs, pow-wows, and trips out of town. He was good at cookouts, always managing the grill and loved picnics and family outings. He had a lot of friends he liked to visit and spend time with. They all got crazy stories to laugh and talk about. The things Joel used to do. He was never afraid to do anything. He had nicknames for his close friends, and they also had nicknames for him. He loved to laugh and tease. Everyone liked Joel. He will be forever remembered and missed by all. 

Joel’s loving family left to mourn his passing include his father Calvin Dean (Lolita) Dunn; sons Kenneth Iron Moccasin, Damingo Phyre Littlewind, Ira Hayes Hunt; daughter Joliese Mi Luv Hunt; daughters that he helped raise Charice and Latrice Hunt and special grandson Rocco Hunt; brothers Joseph Dunn, Louis Dunn and Branden Thomas; sisters Darika Dunn and Leandra Thomas; love of his life Jackie Hunt; many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins and their families and special nephew Talon (Dunn) Thomas. 

He was preceded in death by his mother Lorey Thomas; grandpa Herbie Thomas, uncles Wesley Thomas and Tyrell Alberts, aunts Patricia (Thomas) Jetty, and Budene Alberts, special nephew Malachi Dunn, grandmother Angeline Dunn (Buddy) Alberts and many other beloved family members. 

Active Pallbearers will be Branden Thomas, Joseph Dunn, Raymond Dunn, Jason Azure Sr., Dion Jackson, Lionel Dunn, Kolby McKay, and Robert His Chase.

Honorary Pallbearers: Myra Hunt and family, Larry Elshaug and family, Don Kraft, Scott Leben and brothers, Kenneth Good House, Jeremy Greywater, Ron McKay Jr., Dustin Dunn and family, Bruce Littlewind, Marvin Luger, Robert Green, Teddy Snell, Derrick Charboneau, Donna Jackson, Dolly Azure, Jeannie Cavanaugh, Kim Three Irons and family, Dan Cavanaugh, Alfreda Dunn, Alberta Dunn, Cora Whiteman, Carmen Littlewind, Delphine Cavanaugh, Keith and Lois Leben, Art and Carla Carmona, Yvonne Longie, Dinah Aceveda, Mark Littleghost, Vanessa Cavanaugh, Inez “Frankie” Chaske, Bobbie Sue Dunn, aunts Catalina Herman and Becky TwoHearts, the Wellness and Recovery Staff. If we left anyone out it was unintentional.

Music will be provided by the Cut Head Sioux Drum Group and White Horse Hill Drum Group; all Drum Groups and Singers are welcome to share their songs in memory of Joel.

The Wake for Joel will be on Tuesday, February 20, 2024 at the Fort Totten Wellness Center beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m.  The procession to Fort Totten will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday from City Plaza, Devils Lake.

The Funeral Service will be on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. also at the Fort Totten Wellness Center with Reverend Antony Samy officiating. Burial will be in St. Jerome’s Catholic Cemetery in the spring.