Renae Ann Lenoir

Our Renae Ann Lenoir, 67 of the Spirit Lake Nation passed away on Thursday, December 17, 2020 at home in her husband James’ arms.   

Visitation for Renae will be on Tuesday, December 22, 2020 from 4:30 p.m. until 9:00 p.m. with a Rosary and time of Prayer at 7:00 p.m. all at St. Michael’s Catholic Church.  The procession to St. Michael will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday from City Plaza. 

Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, December 23, 2020 at 10:00 a.m. at the church with Reverend Paul Schuster celebrating the Mass.  Renae will be laid to rest in St. Michael’s Cemetery.

Renae Ann Graywater was born on January 19, 1953 at Devils Lake ND the daughter of Elizabeth (Belgarde) and Alexander Graywater Sr.  She was raised and lived in Fort Totten her entire life.  She attended Maddock School and was bunkies with her best cousin Debra Cavanaugh.  She left Maddock during her Sophomore year, but later received her GED at Little Hoop Community College. 

Renae held various jobs.  She was at Sioux Manufacturing for quite sometime until she and james were blessed with their oldest daughter, Gwendolyn Courtney in 1982.  In 1982, she found the love for children and then she and James opened up their home to become Foster Parents. In 2012, they received State recognition for 25 plus years of being foster parents. 

She held a special place in her heart for one foster daughter, Shanna Dea Herald who came into the Lenoir home in 1995.  Shanna Dea, you not only became our mother’s daughter, but also became our sister.  As a foster mother, she found her love/passion.  She worked for Spirit Lake Head Start for 18 plus years with the Little Rascals until her health forced her to retire in October of 2013. 

Renae’s favorite hobbies were attending almost all of the Four Winds Lady Indians and Four Winds/Minnewaukan Indians home and away games. Meeting up with her casino buddies, playing the I Dream of Jeannie machines was always a good time.  She loved meeting up with everyone at the casino and being able to share a meal with her friends.

Our mother was our biggest fan and supporter.  She made sure we never went without.  She was also Dad’s chef, she always made sure his tummy was full.

Mom we will miss you always.  It’s hard, but we know you are here with us in spirit. 

Renae is survived by her loving husband of 47 years, James B. Lenoir; loving daughters Gwendolyn Lenoir and Rendina (Robert) Lenoir; foster daughter Shanna Dea (Travis) Herald; grandchildren (Gwen’s) Amari Elizabeth Jade Fournier and Gordon James Fournier Jr. MiYani Mae Ann, ZoRiah Amelia Rose, and Zayden James Lenoir, (Rendina’s) Luke Jarvis, Chloe Ann, Laura Marie and Ryder James Cavanaugh; special grandchildren the ThreeIrons kids and Littlewind kids; one and only fur grandbaby Meeps; special sister Sonta (Dean) Dauphinais and sisters Della Belgarde, Brenda Robertson and Barbara Robertson; brother Kenneth (Beverly) Graywater Sr.; sisters-in-law Mary Monette, Michelle (Roger) Thompson, JoAnn (Bradley) Johnson, Sharon Tester and Jackie Lenoir; brothers-in-law Jerry (Paulette) Lenoir Sr., Joel (Wanda) Lenoir Sr. and Jeff Lenoir Sr.; special nieces and nephews Kim Threeirons, Cody Graywater, KJ Graywater, Rhonda Graywater, Felicia Graywater, Shelly McCormick, Bill Johnson, Denise Dauphinais, Lars Azure, Ritchie Graywater, Dusty Dauphinais and Kendell Graywater; god children Rocky Dauphinais, Rochelle Littlewind and Frank Charboneau; and many other dear nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.  

Pallbearers will be Cody Graywater, Jerry Lenoir Jr., Sheldon Graywater, Marty Graywater, Rob Graywater, Darwin ThreeIrons, Koltyn ThreeIrons and Galen Robertson.

Honorary Bearers will be Sonta and Dean Dauphinais, Carol “Nibs” Brown, Sharon Brien, Cheryl Bull, Derek Ironhawk, Jerry and Paulette Lenoir, Joel and Wanda Lenoir, Sharon Tester, Rena Anderson, Wiggs Anderson, Lila Anderson, Karen Charboneau, Lisa Georgeson, Sharon Georgeson, Francis Greyhorn, Rena Little-Lohnes, Geneva BigTrack, Catalina Herman, Lynette Lovejoy, Marlene Johnson, Bill and Maretta Johnson, Shelly and James McCormick, Cody Graywater and family, John Johnson, Kendell Graywater Smith and family, KJ Graywater, Delia Whiteman and family, Jenn Jensen, Bob and Euretta McKay, Delmar Youngbird, Phyllis DuBois, Cowboy Lawrence, Marty Graywater, Myra Dubois, Wayne and Jenn Black, Dusty Black, Janelle Fassett, Perry Fassett, Mark Fassett, Spirit Lake Ambulance, St. Alexius ER Staff, Tribal Health, Dialysis Staff at Altru Grand Forks, and many many beloved nieces and nephews.