Lambert Azure age 84 of Belcourt, passed away on Sunday, October 20, 2024 at his home.  Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday, October 28, 2024 at 10:00 am at the St. Anthony's Catholic Church.  His wake will be on Sunday starting at 5:00 pm with a rosary at 7:00 pm at the church.  Burial will be at the church cemetery.

Lambert was born on September 29,1941 in Belcourt, ND. He was the second of seven children born to Fred "Theophil" Azure and Irene Keplin Azure. The family had a small farm with dairy cows. Every day, Lambert and his siblings worked hard to help their parents, especially in the Fall when they went to the Red River Valley to pick potatoes. Lambert went to St. Ann's Catholic Grade School. He then went to Stefan Boarding School in Marty, South Dakota for one year. Lambert returned home to finish high school, graduating in 1960.

As part of the Relocation project, Lambert decided to go to Los Angeles. He earned his degree in Cosmetology from Marinellos School of Beauty. While in California, Lambert pursued his passion for music. He was a gifted singer and talented guitar player. Lambert enjoyed performing in various clubs in LA and Southern California.

In 1962, Lambert married Donna Trueblood at St. Ann's Catholic Church. From this union came, Loren, Jolie, Joette, and Gabrielle. This marriage ended in 1986 and was later annulled.

Lambert returned home from LA in 1972. He and his brothers found employment on the missile sites, being built around the state at that time. In the mid- 80s, Lambert decided to start his own paint contracting business. Together with his brother King, Azure Brothers Painting was created. Terry, Freddie, and Jim all helped in the company at one time or another, as did his son Loren and daughter Jolie. The Paint Contracting business was very successful. Lambert and his brothers worked on many big projects (such as schools, housing projects, and hospitals) throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, and Montana.

One highlight of Lambert's life was his band "Burt Lambert and the Northern Express". Together with Lance Azure, Roland Gourneau, and Davy Decoteau, they played at many local night clubs. This very popular band recorded an album in 1977.

Lambert had started his music ministry at St. Anthony's and the other area churches in 1986. A service which he continued until August of 2024. He played and sang for countless funerals over the years and several weddings as well. Additionally, Lambert cherished the St. Ann's Novena, he provided the music for the novena for 37 years. Especially close to Lambert's heart was cutting grass at St. Anthony's cemetery. For over forty years, Lambert faithfully cared for the graves. He paid particular attention to the east side of the graveyard where the unmarked graves of the 1918 Spanish Flu victims are located.

In the Spring of 1992, Lambert met the woman he would eventually marry, Kateri Lapean. Lambert and Kateri met in church. They both enjoyed singing at Mass. After prayer and discernment, Lambert and Kateri were married on December 9, 2000 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church. God gave the couple three daughters; Terese, Celine, and Ayanna. The family made their home in rural Belcourt. Together, the family enjoyed parish activities, school functions, and traveling. They were especially fond of going to Métis cultural events and locations in both North Dakota and Canada as Lambert was very proud of his Métis heritage, a trait he passed down to his children. Lambert treasured the time they spent together.

Lambert is survived by his loving wife, Kateri. Daughters; Ayanna of rural Belcourt, Terese (Ricky) of Grand Forks, Gabrielle (Patrick) Wallette of St. John, Joette of Belcourt, Jolie (Ron) Haggerty of Dunseith. Sons; Loren (Jackie) of Belcourt, Jason (Frances) Allery of Wichita Falls, TX, and Brent Allery of Belcourt. Siblings: Arlene (Benny) Jeannotte of St. John, Jim (Lynette) of rural Belcourt, Terry (Sandy) of Belcourt, and sister- in - law Mary Ann of Belcourt. Grandchildren: Amy, Ashley, Jenny, David, Stacy, Joel, Britny, Cassie, Seyth, Bruce, Bethany, Brenden, Adam, Zachary, Seth, Hannah, Lydia, Crystal, Woodrow, Chloe, and Andrew and 27 great-grandchildren.

Lambert was preceded in death by his parents, sister Josephine Chase, brothers Freddie and King, and daughter Celine.

Faith, devotion to the Blessed Mother, and a deep love for his parish of St. Anthony's were the driving forces in Lambert's pursuit of a spiritual and service-oriented life. Lambert truly loved his Faith.