Lowell Poitra, age 69 of Dunseith, died Friday at a Belcourt hospital.  His funeral will be held on Thursday at 10:00 am at the St. Michael's Catholic Church in Dunseith.  His wake will be on Wednesday with a prayer service beginning at 7:00 pm at the church.  The celebrants at the service will be Father Michael Slovak and Father Richard Fineo.

Valerie Malaterre is the reader and Allision Whorely will lead the rosary.  Gift Bearers are Nolan and Curtis Poitra.  Lowell's granddaughters placed the pall.  Music will be provided by area musicians.  John Prim will be the eulogist.  Casket bearers will be  Austin Poitra, Seth Anderson, Billy Poitra, Mike Belgarde, Bert Parisien, Varion Hetle, Ron Forshcen, TJ Poitra.  Honorary Casket Bearers will be all Family and Friends

Burial will be at St. Mary's Cemetery, Dunseith ND with a meal to follow at the Scared Eagle Heart Log Building Dunseith, ND.

Lowell L. Poitra Sr. was born on March 27, 1950, in Belcourt, ND, to Martin and Ilean (Laverdure) Poitra. He passed away June 21, 2019, at the age of 69 years old. Lowell attended Roussin Day school and later went to Belcourt High School. During his younger years he traveled to various places with his parents and siblings. In 1968 he married Bonnie Eileen Poitra. Together they had four children who they raised in the Turtle Mountain area. Melissa Anderson, Earl (Sherry) Poitra, Shinelle (John) Trim and Lowell L Poitra Jr., all of Dunseith. Lowell had two other children, Matthew and Zachary Poitra both of Belcourt, ND.

Lowell worked for the tribe throughout his working life and made many lifelong friends. Lowell was kind, genuine and had a good sense of humor. He was a humble man who rarely complained and was pleasant to be around.

Lowell enjoyed demolition derby's and would spend many hours working on "junked out" cars with his sons, and family. He enjoyed mowing his huge yard, planting trees and putting up bird houses hoping to hear the sound of birds singing in the days to follow. Lowell spent many hours in his garage tinkering with broken down anything, from automobiles to vacuum cleaners. He had many pets from birds, deer, rabbits, weasels, a horse, every stray dog in the area, and his latest four chickens, that kept him busy when they would escape.  He and Bonnie would jump on the golf cart and chase it around the yard until finally the chicken tired them out and headed for the bushes. Later that day a neighbor caught it and returned it to Lowell. Lowell enjoyed gardening with his family. He would stop at his sister's and check out her garden and the competition began. He would enjoy sitting at the bottom of the hill under the shade and visit with family and friends who would randomly stop and visit.

He showed affection by pats on the head, pulling on ears and giving nicknames. He had colorful nicknames for all of his grandchildren and great grandchildren and probably many of you, even if you didn't know it.

Lowell will be terribly missed by his family and friends.

Lowell is survived by his wife, Bonnie and his children, Melissa, Earl, Shinelle, Lowell Jr., Matthew and Zachary.  He is also survived by his sisters, Loretta Madden of Boston, MA, Beverly Parisien of Belcourt, ND, Elaine Hetle of Underwood, ND, Nanette Frederick of Bismarck, ND, Claudette Scott of Underwood, ND, Doddie Dahl of Belcourt, ND, and brother Lionel Poitra of Belcourt, ND. He is also survived by many cousins, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews and extended family.

He was proceeded in death by his parents, "Buck" and Ilean, his siblings Bradly and Earl Poitra, Paul Belgarde and Eleanor Poitra.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau.