Michelle Lee Bear, age 37, of Grand Forks, formerly of Ft. Totten, ND, died Thursday, April 20, 2017, at her sister’s home in Ft. Totten.

Michelle Lee Bear was born September 17, 1979, at Devils Lake, ND, the daughter of Patricia Cavanaugh & Michael Bear.  She attended Four Winds Grade School, then continued at the Pierre (SD) Learning Center where she received her 8th grade diploma.  The last school she attended was Grand Forks (ND) Central High School.

Michelle loved to work, and she worked at the Spirit Lake Casino until her sickness with Diabetes got the best of her.  She later moved to Valley Elder Care in Grand Forks, ND.

She loved spending time with her children and grandchildren.  She loved and missed her family at home in Spirit Lake.  She attended Pastor Cole’s church while she lived in Grand Forks, and she loved going to church at Pastor Paul & Sara’s church in Fort Totten before she moved.

Michelle was a loving daughter, mother, sister, Aunt, niece and grandma.  She will be missed dearly.

She is survived by her daughter, Michaela Bear and grandson, Mason James; son, Savon (Sierra) Bear and granddaughter, Hunter Jayde; mother, Patricia Cavanaugh; 5 sisters: Emma (Darrell) Thumb, Nichole (Jeremy) Buckles, Sr., Rebecca Bear, Margaret (Kris White, Sr.) Bear, Priscilla Monette; 3 brothers, Floyd Paul Bear, James Robertson Jr. (Savannah), Jeremiah (Joyelle) Robertson Sr.; 13 nephews, Taylor Paul, Bryson Robertson, baby Jay Buckles, Cedric Bear, Ian Morin,  baby Barry Mudgett , Brayden Mudgett, Brock Mudgett, Bayberz (Adrian III), 1 special nephew, Eugene Glen; Kris White, Jr., James III & Jayden Robertson, baby Miah & Grant Riley Robertson; 12 nieces, Jasmine Paul, Bryeann Robertson, Jayann, Chadley, & Phoenix Buckles, Charlie Rose Mudgett, Dionna Wannatan, Tricia Smith, Patricia Monette, Heaven Leigh & Jayde Robertson, Emily Robertson; 1 godchild, Keisha Cavanaugh; her godparents, Tim & Mary Longie; 6 aunts, Rochelle & Carol Cavanaugh, Sonya Knox, Anita Bear, Doris Jackson Bear, Belinda Longie; and 3 uncles, Frank Cavanaugh, Raymond Cavanaugh, Alvin Bear.  

She is preceded in death by her daughter, Patricia Bear; her son Michael Glen Bear; father, Michael H. Bear; her Grandmothers, Priscilla Cavanaugh & Margaret Bear; Grandfathers Eugene Cavanaugh & Henry Bear; 2 twin aunts, Mary Margaret & Mary Magdalene Cavanaugh; 3 uncles, James Bear, Jerome Bear, Buddy Ross; twin nieces Lahnel & Dahnel Charboneau, and nephew Dallas, Jr.

WAKE & ROSARY SERVICE:

Begins Friday (April 28th) at 5PM, at St. Michael Tekakwitha Center, with Rosary Service at 8PM

Friends may join her procession traveling from New Rockford to St. Michael, by gathering at her sister Emma's house at Ft. Totten, prior to 4:45PM Friday

FUNERAL SERVICE:

St. Michael Tekakwitha Center, St. Michael, ND

DATE AND TIME:

Saturday, April 29, 2017, at 11AM

BURIAL:

St. Michael's Catholic Cemetery, St. Michael, ND

Officiating:  Pastor Paul Young

Traditional Prayers: Kris White, Sr., Eugene Hale

Special Music: Lake Region Singers & various Drum Groups

Casket Bearers: Savon Bear, Darwin Brown, James Robertson, Jr. Floyd Paul Bear,

Jeremy Buckles Sr., Bryson Robertson, Jeremiah Robertson

Casket Escort: Eugene Glen Christianson

Honorary Bearers:  Sierra Lovejoy, Kenny Greywater, Elaine Robertson, Nancy Greene Robertson & family,  Kayla Robertson & family, Mary DeMarce, Josie  & Clarice Lawrence, Renita Delorme, Margo Azure, Belinda Murphy, Tony and Vina McDonald, Titus Anderson, Tracy Charboneau, Chelsea Scalon, Tony Eagleman, Deborah Cavanaugh, Devin Yankton, Jenny White & Lynissa Bull, Carrie St. Pierre, Hannah Anderson, Loreen Anderson, Lolita Gourd, Adeline Blueshield, Joan Red Fox, Paul and Sara Young, Pastor Cole & family, Andrea Peltier & family, Alissia and Napoleon Longie Sr., Iris Yankton & family, Denise & Coogie Hunt, Sr.