Bernice Marie Poitra, age 82 of Dunseith, passed away on Saturday, September 26, 2026 at her home in Dunseith. Her funeral will be on Friday, October 2, 2026 at 10:00 am at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Dunseith. Visitation will be on Friday starting 8:00 am at the church.

Bernice Plante was born March 15, 1944 at Belcourt, ND to Alice Plante LaRocque and was raised by her mother Alice Plante LaRocque and Jerome LaRocque. She attended Dunseith High School and worked various jobs throughout her life. Bernice married Gilbert Belgrade (Domnie) in 1961 and had 4 children; Fay and Dan (Risher), Carson Belgrade (Deceased), Bernadine Belgrade (Azure), and Myron and Dawn Belgrade. Bernice became a young widow in 1974. She raised her 4 children and she found the love of her life; Allen Poitra and married in 1986 to Allen (Butch). They were married until Butch passed in 2003.

Bernice first retired from Grafton State Development Center, Care of Mental Handicap. She worked for 33 years doing this type of care, from North Dakota to Montana and back. In between times Bernice would work potatoes in the fall. Bernice became a District 4 council member when her son Carson passed. While in her tenure she became known as “The Cougs.” Over the years, Bernice also loved to travel. She went to the U.K. and visited Paris, France, London, England; Wales; Scotland and Ireland. She also visited Montana; Washington; Wisconsin; Oregon; Kansas and Missouri. Bernice also loved hunting when her first husband Domnie (Gilbert), fishing, raising cattle and camping with Butch (Allen). Later on she also loved to play Bingo, go to the Casino, bet on horse races and she loved working at the Soup Kitchen until her health declined.

Bernice is survived by: Fay and Dan Risher (daughter) of Whitehall, MT; Bernadine Azure (daughter); Myron and Dawn Belgrade (son); nine grandchildren; great grandchildren (11+); sisters; Max Nadeau; Debbie and Earl LaValley (Center, ND); Joy Myers (Dunseith); Jeanette LaRocque (Dunseith); Annette and James Lundy (Dunseith); brothers Richard LaRocque (Dunseith); Brian and April LaRocque (Dunseith).

Bernice was preceded in death by her parents Alice and Jerome LaRocque; husband Allen Poitra; siblings Linda Poitra; Jackie LaRocque; Sherry LaRocque; Sylvester LaRocque; Ronald LaRocque; Curtis LaRocque; Jeanette Poitra.