Earl James DeCoteau, age 73, of Flandreau, South Dakota, formerly of Dunseith, passed away unexpectedly at his home on Monday, June 17th, 2024.

Funeral Services will be held on Monday, June 24th, 2024, at the Eagle Heart Cultural Center in Dunseith with Reverend Steve/Pastor Johnson of Bismarck officiating. Wake/Viewing will be held from 9:00am to 1:00p.m. with services beginning at that time. Burial will be in St. Sylvan's Cemetery following the service. A meal to follow at the Eagle Heart Cultural Center, Dunseith.

Casket bearers are Mike Counts, Kelly Azure Jr., Van Peltier, Garrett DeCoteau, Riel DeCoteau, Tyrrell DeCoteau, Josh DeCoteau and DelRay DeCoteau. Honorary bearers are his brothers, Raphael, LeRoy, Gene and Terry.

Special music by Garrett DeCoteau; Craig Lunday and Alvin Poitra. Eagle Nation Drum Group

Earl 'Ducks', son of Benjamin & LaRose (St. Claire) DeCoteau, was born March 19, 1951, in Belcourt. He received his education at WIS in Wahpeton and graduated from high school at Flandreau Indian School, South Dakota.

On July 18, 1970, he married his high school sweetheart, Kim Ree, at Lake Andes, SD, they were blessed with two children, Earl Jr. & Jody.
After graduating from FIS, Ducks became employed with the Facilities Management Department at the school until his retirement.
In his spare time he loved playing golf and bowling, spending time with family and friends, watching sporting events on TV, talking on the phone to get the news of happenings in Dunseith. Although he moved away he always considered Dunseith, North Dakota his home. He will be forever loved and dearly missed.

He is survived by his son, Earl Jr. & Lauriene, Flandreau; grandchildren, Brady Aaron (Randi) DeCoteau, Donte DeCoteau, Haley Sue Red Earth, Reese LaFloe; great grandchildren - Avery, Matalia and Emery DeCoteau, Andrew Justice LaFloe; brothers Raphael (Carla) DeCoteau, LeRoy (Wendy) DeCoteau, Gene (Kim) DeCoteau, Terry (Myrna) DeCoteau, all of Dunseith; sisters – Betty Swain, Shirley Belgarde, Lolly Lindquist, Dean DeCoteau, and Esther DeCoteau, all of Dunseith; sister-in-law Sherry Sanchez DeCoteau, Trenton; many nieces, nephews and cousins.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Kim; daughter, Jody; granddaughter Kaitlyn; parents, Ben & LaRose DeCoteau; grandparents, Robert & Mary Alice (Norquay) St. Claire and Fred & Philomene Azure) DeCoteau; brothers, Gary, Kenny, Leslie and Wesley DeCoteau; sister, Ella 'Susie' Davis; brothers-in-law, Allen 'Kumish' Davis, Dennis Counts, Darrold Krumweide, Richie Lindquist, James 'Smiley' Belgarde; sisters-in-law, Colleen Thomas-DeCoteau and Patricia DeCoteau; nieces, Billie Jo DeCoteau, DeAnn Krumweide, Rhonda DeCoteau, Danielle Swain, and Jennifer DeCoteau; nephews, Benjamin Gene DeCoteau, Ben Patterson, Brandon Stewart Jr. and other extended family members.

A Memorial Service will be held in Flandreau at a later date.

Arrangements are with Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau.