Nilus Lyle BlackLance Jr.

Nilus Lyle BlackLance Jr. "Wi˜ yaka num ǔ he" (He Has Two Feathers)

Nilus Lyle BlackLance was the son of Cindy and Arthur Mudgett. He was born in Rosebud, South Dakota on July 28, 1974 but was raised on the Spirit Lake Nation. He was the oldest of 7 children.  Nilus attended Sheyenne during his elementary years, then went to high school at Four Winds. He later received his GED at Little Hoop Community College in 1993. 

Nilus enjoyed watching movies and completing his Rubic Cube. He also enjoyed doing crosswords and playing at the casino.  He was always ready for a good laugh and jokes with his family, kids and grandkids. 

Nilus worked numerous jobs around Spirit Lake, including serving as a Tribal Officer. He also worked a number of jobs in Devils Lake including McDonalds and Dairy Queen. There wasn't anything he couldn't do.  He always fixing on something, like bikes for his grandkids or cars for his children.  Just about anything anyone asked of him. 

Nilus made his home here on Spirit Lake with his wife Theresa of 26 years and his 5 children and grandchildren. During his last years, Nilus was a Lay Reader, Communion Assistant and Officer for the North Dakota Council of Indian Ministries (NDCIM). He traveled to Woodland, Texas to visit our sister congregation, Trinity Episcopal. He also attended meetings around North Dakota on behalf of St. Thomas and NDCIM. 

With cancer taking over on his body he passed away at his home in Fort Totten surrounded by all his family members who miss him dearly but knowing he is pain free and no more suffering...

Nilus is survived by his wife Theresa BlackLance; sons Aaron (Christa) Ironhawk, Merrill (Allison) Ironhawk and Dwayne Jackson; daughters Mary (Derrick) Jackson, Tammy Ironhawk, Terra (Derek) BlackLance and Amira Ironhawk; adopted children Neva Whiteshield and Tyson King; god children Dion Jackson, Dillon McKay, Heaven LaForge and Benjamin Hill; parents Cynthia and Arthur Mudgett; brothers Marshall BlackLance, Arlin BlackLance, Garrett Mudgett, Bernard Mudgett and Barrett Mudgett; sister Lola Jean Mudgett; adopted siblings Marshall BlackLance II and LilyAnn Mudgett; other beloved family members the Hill family Ken Hill family, Vicki Hill and Kids, Violet Hill and kids, Janice (Francis) Roulette and kids, Mildred Hill and kids, Holly Hill and kids and Jamie Hill and kids; maternal grandparents Ardis Shaw, Andy Shaw and Vincent Shaw Sr; paternal grandmother Lorraine Greybear; maternal great grandmother Hermenia McKay; maternal aunts and uncles Dora Shaw, Rhea smith, Miles Thompson and Whalen and Renita Shaw; paternal aunts and uncles Melchoir, Perry, JD, Mark, Bennett and Rose Mudgett and Rodney Steve; many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren and dear friends.

Nilus was loved by many, too numerous to mention. Sorry if we forgot to name anyone we are doing our best during this difficult time. 

Nilus was preceded in death by the Hill family Ephraim and Mary Hill, Ephraim Hill Jr., Francis Hill, Robert Anthony Joshua Hill, Rainy Hill, KIan Ray LeftBear, grandparents Lillian Shaw, Bill Shaw Jr., Vivian Shaw and Roger Shaw, Lillian and Allan Mudgett; aunts and uncles Carrie Price, Vincent Shaw Jr., Virgil McKay Sr. and Carl McKay Sr.; brother Darrett Mudgett; cousins AJ Monte, Baby Boy Jenson, Rollene Smith, Preston BlackCloud, Virgil McKay Jr, Mark Michael Shaw, Tobias Shaw, Whalen Shaw Jr; nephew Elix Galen Brown.

Nilus will be laid to rest with his niece Arizona Dee Mudgett.

Active Pallbearers will be Vincent Thomas, Shawn Guy, Benjamin Hill, Cameron Howard, Derrick Jackson, Dion Jackson, Waylon Luke and Carl McKay Jr. Honorary Bearers will be Danny and DeeDee Butts, Lori McKay, Janelle Fassett, Bobbi Dunn, Doug Archambault, Cowboy and Jeanette Lawrence, Josie and Clarice Lawrence, Cha Cavanaugh, Reno and Reco Littleghost, Pat Schmidt, Will Demarce, Joe Williams, Dolly Cavanaugh, Jeanie Cavanaugh and family, Kim and Daryle ThreeIrons, Rhea and Dwight Smith, Corrina Shaw, Newlyn Littlewind, Darren Kimmerly, Adele (Bubbles) Shaw, Barb and Burton Jackson, Lonna and Richard Street, Louis BlackLance, Carl Jr. and Mandy McKay, Volante Littlewind, Lorraine Greybear and family, Gabrielle White, John and Penny Knutson, Shannadea Herald, Clayton and Adele Blueshield, Tony and Vina McDonald, Wanita Chaske, Felicia St. Pierre, Derrick and Garrett Mini, Archy BearCub, Larry and Darla Thiele, Sheila Blueshield, Patrick Cavanaugh, Marcella Shaw, Diane Lewis, Elrae Mazakahomni, Darcey Longie.

The Wake will begin on Friday, August 10, 2018 at his home for family and at 5:00 p.m., Nilus will be brought from his home in procession to the Fort Totten Recreation Center with a Prayer Service to be held at 8:00 p.m. The funeral will be held on Saturday, August 11th at 10:00 a.m. at the Recreation Center with Reverend Larry Thiele officiating. Burial will be in the St. Thomas Cemetery, Crow Hill. Music will be provided by  the Lake Region Drum Group, Tony and Vina McDonald and family and any other Drum Groups are welcome to come and share their songs and everyone is welcome to come share their prayer songs.