Judith "Judy" Kay Ami

Judi Kay Ami, “Tawiyaka Kaĥbogya Najin Win“(She Stands with Her Feather Blowing in the Wind), 68, of St. Michael, ND, returned home to our Heavenly Father Monday, November 4, 2019, at home with her family by her side.

A wake service will be held on Sunday, November 10^th, 2019 at St. Michael’s Kateri Tekakawitha Center, St. Michael, ND beginning at 5:00 PM with a rosary and prayer service at 7:00 PM.

Mass of Christian Burial will be Monday, November 11^th, 2019, 10:00 AM at St. Michael’s Catholic Church with Father Paul Schuster, Celebrant. Burial will be at the Dakota Oyate Church Cemetery in Tokio, ND. The procession to St. Michael’s Kateri Tekakawitha Center will leave at 4:00 PM from Devils Lake City Plaza on Sunday.

Active pallbearers: TruVal Ami, Brent DeMarrias, Norman “Jay” DeMarrias, Mathew DeMarrias, Samuel Merrick Jr, Jake Redfox, Alton Nestell and Marvin Luger

Honorary pallbearers: Connie Thompson, Stella Cavanaugh, Anita Barragan, Evelyn Cavanaugh, Astell Cavanaugh, Jeannie Cavanaugh, Lorraine Greybear, Dolly Azure, Roberta Crows Breast, Sonta Dauphinais, Darlene Wadsworth, Oliver & Charlie Gourd, David & Joy Davidson, Lenore White Lightning, Dr. Tamara Boden, Jolene Crosswhite, Perry Kopp, Carole Chapman, Lisa Chaske, Rozelle Lockwood, Carole Seeking Land, Peggy Cavanaugh, and Robert “Bob” Charboneau Sr., Bruce (Penny) Walkingeagle, King (Caroline) Walkingeagle, Ronnie (Lorna) Walkingeagle, Lorna Walkingeagle, Phyllis Walkingeagle, Barbara Walkingeagle, Martina Kazena, Sonny Gullickson, Dino Zephier, Ann Wadsworth, Samuel Merrick Sr., Winfield Chaske and entire Chaske Family, Thomas Family, Brown Family, Littlewind Family, BlueShield Family,

Judith Kay (Gourd) Ami blessed our lives in her birth on June 19^th, 1951. Our beautiful, graceful mother, grandmother, great-grandmother had been battling illnesses for 20+ years. She finally succumbed her battle on November 4^th, 2019 surrounded by family and grandchildren.

Judi was born the youngest of four children to Melvina (Littlewind) Gourd and George Jacob Gourd on the Spirit Lake Reservation. Judi attended many schools through her life including: St. Mary’s at Springfield, South Dakota, St. Labre’s Indian School at Ashland, Montana, Crow Creek Indian School at Stephan, South Dakota, Haskell Indian School, Lawrence, Kansas, University of North Dakota, Grand Forks, North Dakota, University of South Dakota and Vermillion, South Dakota. Judi strongly believed in her education. So much, that she was the first enrolled member of the Spirit Lake Nation to receive her Master’s Degree. She was CEO/Principal for Tate Topa Tribal School for 5 years until her health started to decline. She also was on the Spirit Lake Tribal Health Board and a Board member for Candeska Cikana Community College.

Judi enjoyed spending time with her family especially her grandchildren. She also enjoyed reading, watching her favorite TV line-up especially her favorite sports (i.e. UFC, NBA, Tennis, and Boxing). Her hobbies included shopping at second hand stores, collecting jewelry, shoes, purses, etc. If you know anything about our Lady is that she had class. She also enjoyed going to the casino, listening to music of all genres, traveling to pow-wows in the summer with her sister Marlene. She very much enjoyed watching her family dance at pow-wows particularly her nieces Joy and Candice Anderson.

Judi Kay Ami is survived by her only daughter: Sacheen Thompson. sons: Darrick Ami and Avery (Alayna) Thompson; grandchildren: Brennen Lee Thompson, Demrae Ami, Talissa Ami, Kendrick Jackson, Shandyn Ami, TruVal Ami, Keira Longie, Sienna Lawrence, Serene Lawrence, Avery Thompson III, and Lovella Thompson and spent 37 years with the love of her life; Justin Cavanaugh.

She is preceded in death by her mother Melvina Agnes Littlewind Gourd, her father George Jacob Gourd, sister Marlene Grace Anderson, brothers Kenneth “Butch” Gourd and Gary “Unksee” Gourd, niece Valerie Gail Merrick, nephews Gary DeMarrias, Mark DeMarrias, Loren Gourd, Marvin Anderson Jr. and Grant Davidson.