Marlene Grace Anderson, "Wahca Awastewin" (Beautiful Flower Woman), 76, of  St. Michael, ND, died Wednesday, September 22, 2010, at her home surrounded by her family.  A Wake Service will be held on Tuesday, September 28th, 2010 at St. Michael's Recreation Center, St. Michael, ND beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary and Prayer Service at 8:00 p.m.  Mass of Christian Burial will be Wednesday, September 29th, 2010, 10:00 AM at St. Michael's Catholic Church with Fr. Brian Moen, celebrant.  Burial will be in the "Double M" Ranch Cemetery,  St. Michael, ND.  The Procession to St. Michael's Recreation Center will leave at 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday from the Wal-Mart Parking Lot.

Active pallbearers: 1st Group- Chancelor Lightning,  Chandler Lightning,  Devon Lightning,  Grant M. Davidson,  Val George Merrick and Lydell Merrick;  2nd Group-  Sam Merrick, Jr.,  Brent DeMarrias,  Barry DeMarrias,  Aaron Lightning,  Brandon Lightning and David Wee.

Honorary palbearers:  Helena Littleghost and family, Myra Lohnes and family, Carolyn WalkingEagle and family, Jeanne & Leon Reddog, Carl & Barbara WalkingEagle, Leo & Viola Delorme, Butch & Diane Lohnes, Lorraine Greybear and family, Charlene Jetty and family, Winfield Chaske and family, Marilyn Thomas and family, John & Ramona Chaske, Marilyn Gourd, Debbie Gourd, Oliver & Charlie Gourd, Darla & Larry Thiele, Adeline Blueshield, June Blueshield, Julia & Roland Johnson, Lorna WalkingEagle and family, Ronald & Lorna WalkingEagle, Valiere & Tina Blueshield, Karen Blueshield, Delphine Cavanaugh & family, Lavonne & Louie Dubois, Carmen Littlewind and family, Marty & Georgaline Alex, Paul & Joanne Yankton, Dave & Eunice Davidson, Catherine Howard and family, Ivan & Lynette Lovejoy, Kenneth & Florestine Dunn, Pauline Greywater and family, Ramona Cannon, Vern & Velma Lambert, Dean & Sonta Dauphinais, Tony & Vina McDonald, Jolene & Ray Green, Eunice Whiteman, Peggy Cavanaugh and family, Rosalie Baer and family, Skip & Darlis Longie, Raymond & Faye Jetty, RJ & Tanya Jetty, Carl & Janice Mckay, Lynette Bigtrack and family, Delores Lohnes and family, Winona Fox and family, John & Bonnie Wells, Marie Baker, Ann Wadsworth, Patty Sam, Shiela Littleghost, Christine Burd, LaLana Spears and family, Marlis Jetty, Lenore Whitelightning, Darlene Lacroix, Sandra Lamrose, Perry Kopp and family, Melody Christianson and family, Celestine Brown and family, June Gourd and family, Margo Gourd and family, Cynthia Alberts and family, Four Winds School and Cankdeska Cikana Community College.

Music will be provided by her great-granddaughter, Marlana Lewis;  Leon Reddog-Spiritual Advisor, Melissa Merrick, Tony & Vina McDonald and all drums are invited to share their music.

Marlene Grace (Gourd) Anderson blessed our lives in her birth on August 21, 1934. The family was able to celebrate her seventy-six (76) birthday with her a few weeks ago. Our beautiful, graceful sister, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother was battling lung cancer for the past two years. She finally succumbed her battle on September 22, 2010 surrounded by family, friends and her angelic-like great-grandchildren, grandchildren, and children praying Marlene's favorite prayer.

Marlene "WAHCA AWASTEWIN" (Beautiful Flower Woman) was born the eldest of four children to Melvina (Littlewind) Gourd and George Jacob Gourd on the Spirit Lake Reservation. Marlene attended elementary school at the Immaculate Conception in Stephen, South Dakota and graduated high school at St. Mary's in Devils Lake, North Dakota in 1952. Marlene attended nursing school in Fargo, ND, but she returned from nursing school to help her parents. She graduated from Lake Region Junior College in Devils Lake, ND.

Marlene met and married David DeMarrias of Brockton, Montana. To this union six children were born- Valerie (DeMarrias) Merrick, Gregory, Norman, Garry, Matthew, and Mark DeMarrias. David would pass on as a result of an automobile accident. After residing in Montana for some time Marlene returned home and began working for the Realty Office with the Bureau of Indian Affairs. She also worked at the Land Operations Office, Little Hoop Community College, and the Title IV Early Childhood Program on the Spirit Lake Reservation.  Being a young widow with six children to raise was extremely hard, but everything was in God's hands. Marlene always said that there's someone for everyone in life and to be patient that God would send that someone special. As was the case of Marlene's next union of forty years. It was winter and snowing. Marlene said she put the kids to bed and loaded the woodstove with wood and realized she was almost out of wood. She was thinking about where she was going to get her next load of wood when there was a soft knock on the door. There stood Marvin John Anderson with an arm full of wood. Marlene said she couldn't afford to buy any, but Marvin said he would settle for a cup of hot coffee. Marlene said that it was just a blessing and from then on they formed a friendship, which eventually led to forty years of marriage until Marvin's passing on March 26, 2006. Marvin and Marlene were married on April 3, 1965 at the Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Fort Totten, ND. They started a family of four children Tammy, Joy, Marvin, Jr. and Candice Anderson. The Double "M" couple- Marvin and Marlene made their home in St. Michael, North Dakota. Marlene retired from working to raise her four children. The family attended a social gathering at the "Old Kennedy Hall" where their oldest daughter Tammy took an interest in dancing. An elder told Marvin to get Tammy an outfit because she was a good dancer. Thus began the dancing career of the Anderson family. She taught herself how to bead and sew in order to make their dancing outfits. The dancing career took them all over the United States and Canada. Marlene was very proud of her family. Her daughters Joy and Candice were asked to participate in the American Indian Dance Theatre. They performed at the Ford's Theater in Washington, D.C. for the congressional delegates. Throughout their journey as a couple, the family was stricken with a tragedy when Marlene lost her oldest daughter Valerie Gail, age 32, due to childbirth complications leaving behind five children. Marlene shared a special bond with Valerie's surviving son, Val George Merrick who was living with her till her passing.

Marlene was so artistic and talented. She loved to knit, crochet, and sew. She would make all the stocking caps, mittens, and scarves for her family. She also made her own holiday decorations. Marlene was known for her beadwork. She made regalia for her family and people all over the United States and Canada. One of her special orders came from a Chief in Morley, Alberta, Canada who wanted a specific design, colors, and style for a pipe bag, knife sheaf, and moccasins. Many of Marlene's beaded pipe bags were ordered and sent to Washington, D.C. Marlene's creativity was noticed by many. To mention a few her daughter won "best dressed costume" at a pow-wow in Canada and another daughter was approached by a young lady who offered her tobacco because she wanted to duplicate her designs. So in accepting the tobacco, they were granting the young lady permission to copy her designs. Marlene was quite the trendsetter because she wanted her beadwork and shawls to be different and unique.

Marlene shared her children's passion for dancing, as she was a dancer in her younger days. A part of Marlene's regalia was to wear a beaded headband. So Marlene always dressed her youngest daughter with a beaded headband when it wasn't the trend. A person can go on and on about Marlene Grace's gifts, talents, and attributes because they are endless. All will surely miss Marlene's soft voice, kind heart, and beautiful smile.

Marlene Grace Anderson is survived by her sons: Gregory (Kelly), Norman (Jan), Garry, and Matthew DeMarrias. Daughters Tammy (Elston) Lightning, Joy (Davey) Davidson, and Candice Anderson; her only sister, Judi (Justin) Ami; Marlene's favorite four granddaughters: Melvine "Saman"(Toby) Reierson, Mardell Jean (Phil Sr.) Lewis whom was raised by Marvin and Marlene, Chastity Paige Lightning, and Destiny Joy Davidson. Marlene leaves behind 25 grandchildren and 33 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her husband-Marvin Anderson Sr., daughter -Valerie Gail, sons- Mark DeMarrias and Marvin Anderson Jr., parents-Jacob George and Melvina (Littlewind) Gourd and  brothers- Kenneth Lewis, Sr. and Garry Gourd.

For those who knew Marlene, know that her faith in God was unbelievably strong. Our beautiful Mother, Grandmother, Great-Grandmother, Auntie, and Sister had such a rich full life that to share everything would be endless. She always told her family to "leave it in God's hands".



Condolences:

Sending our deepest sympathy to all the family and thinking of all of you during this difficult loss. Thoughts and prayers go out to all of you. May God be with you more than ever right now and in the days ahead. GOD BLESS YOU ALL+AMEN+  Kristy and Johnnie Gaking & Family

I was very shocked and surprised to hear that Marlene had passed away. Prayers and condolences go out to her family. Always know that she will live on in all of you. She was a very beautiful person. I was blessed to have known her. Lorayn GoodNature

God Bless the family and Marlene. Our prayers and thoughts are with you. Truely sorry for your loss.  Lambert

Marlene was such a beautiful woman, It's always hard to lose a mother. I'm sure you will all keep her memory alive. My thoughts are with you.   Karen (Birdie) GreyEyes

I was saddened to hear of your great loss and am praying for your family.  Ruth de Larios

My deepest sympathy goes out to Marlene's family.  Marlene was one of the nicest people I ever met and had the pleasure of working with.  Thoughts and prayers go out to the family and God Bless at this difficult time.  RIP Marlene. Elaine Robinson

Anderson family, I remember seeing her and her family at pow wows and whereever it was, I knew one of the kids would place first or second.  They are all champion dancers.  I'm sorry I couldnt make it the distance and money keep me from being with you, but my prayers are there with you. Mark Gourd

So sorry to hear of Marlene's passing.  I had both Marvin Jr. and Candice in kindergarten when I taught at Ft. Totten.  All my prayers and sympathies are with the family and especially Judy Ami. Becki Solberg

My deepest condolences and sympathies.  Kristy Lohnes