Rita A. Belgarde (Davis)

Rita A. (Davis) Belgarde, 73 was born on November 27, 1948, in Belcourt ND, the daughter of Peter and Alma (Grandboise) Davis. Rita suddenly passed away on Tuesday, March 15, 2022.  

Rita spent most of her life in the Spirit Lake Nation area. She attended the Fort Totten Boarding School, school in Belcourt, the Benson County Agricultural and Training, and the Immaculate Conception High School in Stephan, South Dakota.

Rita was once married to Peter Belgarde Jr., and they were the proud parents of Brenda and Michael Belgarde.  

Rita was a hard worker, dedicated employee wherever she worked.  At a young age, she worked at Laurie Lynn’s Pizza and The Ranch in Devils Lake, and Cap’s South Shore, and also did census work. From 1978 to 1989, Rita worked at Devils Lake Sioux Manufacturing in Fort Totten, from 1991 to 1997 at Paul’s Grocery Store and from 1997 until 2015 she worked in Medical Records at Spirit Lake Health Center, retiring in 2015.  At the health center her nickname was “Rainman” because she knew everyone’s name and chart number by memory.  

Rita met Gerald Fossen while working at Cap’s South Shore.  She played hard-to-get, but he soon won her heart and they spent 32 loving years together in Maddock, ND.  

Rita and Gerald did everything together from putting their garden together, making lefse, canning the produce of the garden and tending their flowers and taking care of their “baby” (dog) Skunky.

Rita’s hobbies included Bingo, spending time with her children, grandchildren, sisters, and brother.  Her favorite holiday was Halloween and she always made it memorable for family and friends.  

Rita was always a jokester, and she always had a smile on her face. That smile would light up the room. No matter the situation, Rita always found something to laugh about and cheer everyone up.  

We will miss her smile, her laughter, her loving, caring ways, and Halloween will never be the same without Rita.  

Urn carriers will be Rita’s loving grandchildren.

Her loving family includes the love of her life of 32 years Gerald Fossen; children Brenda Belgarde and Michael Belgarde; grandchildren Cody Belgarde, Cameron Delorme, Brittni (Mitchell) Baker, Terrence “T.J.” Ross, Brent Belgarde, Tyler (Cierra) Ross, Michael A. Belgarde, Kevin Brown Jr. and Taylee Ross ; 15 great grandchildren including special great-grandchildren Ahburey Baker, Misu Richotte and Caliyah Yankton; sisters Caroline (Martin “Beaver”) Chavez, Mary McKay, Bernita (Gregg) Lonetree and Marlene (John) Davis; brother Peter (Harlene) Davis; special nieces Cheryl Lawrence, Debbie (Tony) LaVallie and Lynea (Brian) Crissler; special nephews Lance McKay, Chris McCloud; special great nephews Kylar Crissler, Briley Crissler and Dakota McKay; special great niece Elisha (Mitchell) Poulsen; god children Jolleen (Waylon) St. Claire, Anthony LaCroix and Everett “Cowboy” Thompson.

Readers are Rita’s niece and great-niece Roseann Trottier and Rainy Allery. Music will be provided by Jeanie Azure and Terry Baker of Belcourt, ND. Eulogy by Ron Trottier Jr. 

Honorary Bearers will be Alice and Lonna Jo Davis, Lanny Fossen, Danny Bunderson, Barb Rice and Family, Donna Eaglestaff-Jetty, Yvonne and Donald “Don” Bunderson, Howard Jacobson, Sally Lena, Mr. and Mrs. Mike Haugen, Elvis “Bummy” Thumb, Paul Erikson, Jeanie and Connie Charboneau, Richard Lynne, Nancy Greene-Robertson, Mary Greene-Trottier, Glen “GA” Abraham, Amber Neppl, Eureta McKay, Robert “Kojak” and Kristi Thompson and family, Paul “Pinky” Driver Jr., Lulu Thompson, Joyce Greene, Ronald Wentz, James Baker Jr., Diane “Plum” Lohnes, Bob “Horse” Charboneau, Sharlotte Martin, all of her nieces and nephews and their families. We apologize if we missed anyone, it wasn’t intentional. May God bless each and every one of you that loved Rita.

Also, we want to offer a special thank you to the Maddock and Lake Region Ambulance Services.

She was preceded in death by her parents Peter and Alma; siblings Antionette “Tony” IronHeart, Viola Lawrence, Delores Lohnes, Corrine Chaske, and Lloyd Davis, nieces and nephew Carolann Lawrence, Davey Lawrence and Carla Wilkie, adopted son Fidal Kirk and dear friend Karen Peterson.  

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