Richard "Little Rick" Mitchell Poitra, age 44 of Dunseith, passed away on Tuesday, June 21, 2022 at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo. His memorial service will be held on Tuesday, June 28, 2022 at 11:00 am at Eagle Heart Cultural Center in Dunseith. Burial will be at St. Michael's Cemetery in Dunseith following the service.

Little Rick, the only son of Richard and Mary (Gladue) Poitra, was born on January 2, 1978 at Quentin N. Burdick Hospital in Belcourt, ND. He was reared in Dunseith and attended Dunseith Public Schools, graduating from Dunseith High School in 1996. Following school, Rick worked for the Turtle Mountain Manufacturing Company for 19 years as a Conformal Coat Applicator and later with North Star Construction as a Heavy Equipment Operator. He was dedicated worker and hardly missed a day, coworkers knew they could always count on Rick.

Rick formed a myriad of hobbies during his life. He enjoyed watching UFC fights and lift weights with his dad, cheer on his beloved Green Bay Packers. but nothing brought him greater joy than being out on the open road. Rick owned a small fleet of vehicles and enjoyed driving wherever the road would take him, spontaneous drives as far away as Texas were not out of the ordinary. However, nothing compared to riding his beloved Harley-Davidson; the open road his church, the wind his baptism. He lived his life without the consultation or approval of others, taking on life as it came.

Despite his need for solitude, what Little Rick was known best for was his steadfastness and loyalty to his family and friends. This was evident in his lifelong friendships with Adam Miller and Shawn Lavallie. Friends since middle school, Adam and Rick were inseparable, maintaining a close bond for over 30 years. Rick was quick to let you know what was on his mind, feelings be damned, but despite his tough outer shell, he was a loving and caring son, brother, and uncle. His nephew Raiden remembering a time when his uncle wrapped his arms around him when he was scared, he knew then, nothing could hurt him as long as his uncle was by his side. When Rick's sister Stacy passed away, he took on the role of caretaker for his niece, Elizabeth, and nephews, Blaize and Easton, ensuring they made it to and from school every day. There was no greater love than the love Little Rick had for his family.

Rick is survived by his parents Richard and Mary (Gladue) Poitra; sisters, Raquel Gladue of Minot, ND and Blair (Michael) Duchesne of Benton, LA; nieces and nephews, Aja, Shenaysha, Elizabeth, Dalton, Raiden, Blaize, Easton, and Keegan; 17 Gladue aunts and uncles, 10 Poitra aunts and uncles, and countless cousins.

He is preceded in death by his sister and brother-in-law Stacy and Larry Crum; grandparents Richard and Leona Poitra and John and Kathleen Gladue; uncles Larry Poitra and Larry, Peter, and Wayne Gladue; and his close friend Shawn Lavallie.