Thaddius Orris Demarce Sr.

Thaddius Orris “Tonto” Demarce Sr., 80 of the Tokio, ND area, passed away on Monday, November 12, 2018 at the Lakota Good Samaritan Center. 

The Wake for Tonto will be held on Tuesday, November 20, 2018 at the St. Michael’s Wellness Center beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 7:00 p.m. The procession to St. Michael will leave on Tuesday at 4:00 p.m. from City Plaza.

The Funeral Service for Tonto will be held on Wednesday, November 21, 2018 at 10:00 a.m. also at the St. Michael Wellness Center with Father Charles Leute officiating. Tonto will be laid to rest in St. Michael’s Cemetery with Military Honors accorded by the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #6547, Spirit Lake Nation.

Thaddius Orris, son of Frank and Bertha (Ironhawk) Demarce was born on August 25, 1938 in Fort Totten. He grew up in the Tokio area and attended school in Tokio. 

Tonto entered the United States Army on March 15, 1957 and proudly served his country in active duty for 10 months and then transferred to the United States Army Reserve. He was honorably discharged on November 7, 1964 with the rank of PFC. 

After his discharge, Tonto returned to the Spirit Lake Nation where he worked as a farm laborer for many area farmers. Tonto was also employed at DTI (Dakota Tribal Industries) for many years. 

Tonto was a hard working man who loved his family and treasured his many dear friends.

Tonto’s loving family include his sons Thaddius Demarce Jr. of Tokio and Darren (Germaine) Demarce of Fort Totten; adopted daughter Carrie Ann Smith; grandchildren Darren (Alyssa) Littlewind, Sarah (Lance) Demarce, Latoya Demarce, Jean Cavanaugh; great grandchildren Taylin and Tarren Demarce, Michael and Westin Little, Lance eRobertson, Darren, Taylor, Theresa and Tovah Littlewind; sister Hilda (Jak) Weicker also of Tokio; many nieces and nephews also survive.

Tonto’s family who preceded him in death were his parents; brother Andrew Demarce Sr.; sisters Catherine Thompson and Anna Jane Quintana; great granddaughter Terese Jlenda Jermaine Slaughter.

All Drum Groups and Singers are welcome to share their songs in memory of Tonto.

Active Pallbearers Preston Demarce, Marlyn Demarce, Marshall Demarce, Murel Ironhawk, D.
Blackbird, Russ Smith-Brown and Louie Dubois. 

Honorary Pallbearers Ed Greywind and Family, CHR Program, Altru Clinic Staff, Lakota Good Samaritan Center and Spirit Lake Tribal Health.