Mathews "Joe" W. Longie

Mathews Wilber Longie was born on July 11, 1938 at Fort Totten, ND the son of Clarence J. and Francis E. (Cavanaugh) Longie. Mathews “Joe” grew up on the Spirit Lake Nation, attending school at Fort Totten and St. Michael and later moved with the family to Butte, Montana where he continued his education. Joe enlisted in the United States Navy on June 13, 1956 at Shoshone, Idaho and proudly served his country aboard the USS George Clymer.  He was honorably discharged from active service on July 2, 1959 with the rank of Shipfitter Third Class and continued with the Naval Reserve until June 12, 1962.  After his discharge, Joe moved to Sioux City, Iowa. He was united in marriage to Lucille Lewis on October 7, 1967 at Elk Point, South Dakota and they shared 37 beautiful years of love and marriage.  They lived and worked in Iowa until 1979 when the family moved to Bemidji, Minnesota.  In 1982 the family returned to North Dakota and St. Michael and they would call St. Michael home the rest of their lives. Lucille died on March 6, 2005.  Joe had a 30 plus year career as a Bus Driver for the Spirit Lake Tribe until retiring just this year due to increasing health problems. Joe was a man who truly loved life, family, friends and those precious ones who rode his bus each day. In later years he enjoyed travel with his precious Mary.  Joe enjoyed family gatherings, playing cards, listening to “Willie”.  He treasured anytime spent with family and friends. Joe is survived by his loving family. His son Joseph of Parker Prairie, MN; granddaughters Olivia and Whitney Longie, Spokane, WA; his sweetheart Mary Monette, St. Michael; nephew Clarence Longie of Bismarck, niece Jodie Mae Longie of Devils Lake who were both raised by he and Lucille; brothers Douglas (Rhea) Longie, St. Michael, Orrin Olsen, Devils Lake; sisters Helen Jacobs and Mary (Jim) Swigart all of St. Michael, Kathy Olsen, Fargo and Diane (Canny) Butts, Grand Forks; daughters Judee (Jerry) Otto and Carleen Steinhauer all of Sioux City, Iowa; sons Dan Becker Merrill, Iowa and Larry Becker; special family Jodie Mae Longie, Clarence Longie’s sister; Mary’s family Melvin (John) Monette-Barajas, Lanette (Brent) Hillebrand, Jennifer (Tim) Rusten, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, nieces and nephews.  He was preceded in death by his parents Clarence Longie and Frances Longie Olson; wife, Lucille; son Larry Becker; brother Clarence “Etucha” Longie; sister Cindy Olson; son-in-law Leon Stenhauer; daughter-in-law Laura Becker and brother-in-law Fred “Jake” Jacobs. Music will be provided by Bonnie Deegan, Chuck Longie and Tom Wade. Pallbearers for Joe will be Tom Steinhauer, Clarence Longie, Brent Hillebrand, Tim Rusten, Tim Steinhauer and Jeff Becker. Honorary Bearers are the Four Winds Community School, Bus Drivers, Teachers and Staff Members, Spirit Lake Head Start, Cletus and Bonnie Lawrence, Rodney Martin, Altru Home Care and Hospice Nurses.  If we forgot to name someone please forgive us as we work our way through this sad time.  God bless you all for your love and support.   Visitation for Joe will be held on Friday, October 27, 2017 at St. Michael’s Catholic Church from 5:00 p.m. until 10:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Scripture Service and time of sharing at 7:00 p.m.  Visitation on Saturday will be one hour prior to the funeral Mass.  Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, October 28th at 10:00 a.m. with Father Paul Schuster celebrating the Mass.  Military Honors will be accorded by the Spirit Lake Veterans of Foreign Wars #6547.