Arnold "Sonny Mike" Poitra, entered the Kingdom of God, and was met by the warm embrace of his loving wife, Gladys, and his Lord and Savior Jesus on October 6, 2021.  Arnold was born November 4, 1931, in rural Dunseith, North Dakota to Michael and Josephine "Lesedo" (Davis) Poitra.  Arnold was the oldest son of a family of 13 siblings and worked on the family farm as a young man.

As a young man he met the love of his life, Gladys Davis and they were married May 11, 1954 at the Catholic Church in Deloraine, Manitoba.  They raised four children together, Perry, Gary, Marlys, and Lisa.

Arnold received his early education in rural Belcourt/Dunseith and later moved to Los Angeles and attended the highly recognized Allied Welding School through the government's relocation program in the 50's.  Arnold was employed as an iron worker, welder & pipefitter for his entire life.  After leaving California, he and his young family moved to Seattle for a short period of time.  Around that time, they moved back to the area where he began working at the missile silo sites in Langdon, ND.  They later moved back to the Turtle Mountains where he continued to working welding, traveling back and forth to work, until the Turtle Mountain Manufacturing Plant opened in the late 70's and he worked there for 20 plus years until he retired at the age of 70.  He worked with his good friend Jeff Azure in fabrication, jigs, and fixtures.

He and his brother Peter were well known throughout the area and state for their welding and work ethic, and to this day, many people would still come up to family members and talk about how Arnold was such a hard working man and an excellent welder.  He was a member of Iron Workers Union 793.

The center of his life was family and God.  He was a devout Catholic who said the rosery every night and prayed for many people, especially his children and grandchildren.  He was a man of faith who loved his family beyond words.  The center of his world was his wife, Gladys, who he lost 10 years ago.  Many family members and friends remember Sunday dinners at their home after Mass, where they would tell stories about the "good old" days.  Arnold and Gladys were fluent as Le Mitchif speakers and for most of their life, that is what they spoke to each other.  We have no doubt that is the language they are using to talk to each other in Heaven.  The love he had for is wife has been passed on to his children and grandchildren, showing everyone the importance of being a loving spouse and a caring, protective parent and grandparent.

Arnold is survived by his children, Perry (Peggy) Poitra of Belcourt, Gary (Helen) Poitra of Dunseith, Marlys (Cyprian) Delorme of Belcourt, Lisa (Kelly) Laducer of Belcourt; 14 grandchildren; many great grandchildren and one great great granddaughter; and his siblings, Ina Allery, Raymond Poitra, Esther Eller, Mabel "BB" Delorme, Mary Ann Morin, Eugene Poitra, Linda Morin, and Geraldine Larson

Arnold was preceded in death by his wife of 58 years, Gladys, parents, sisters, Virginia Poitra and Vita Azure, brothers, Anthony Poitra, Dale Poitra, and Peter Poitra, and great-grandchildren, Elsie and Simeon Poitra.

Casket Bearers are Craig Poitra, Mike Poitra, Brock Baker, Larry "JR" Baker, Jeremy Laducer, Kelly Laducer, Courtney Gladue, and Jill Gourneau.  Honorary Bearers are Perry Poitra, Gary Poitra, Cyprian Delorme, Kelly Laducer, Raymond Poitra, Eugene Poitra, special friends, Alvin and Ella McLeod.  Eucharistic Gifts by Linda Morin, Mary Ann Morin, Geraldine Larson, and Barbara Belgarde.  Readers are Craig Poitra and Brock Baker.  Eulogy by Craig Poitra and Brock Baker.  Music by Linda Peltier.

A Funeral Mass will be held at 1:00 PM on Monday, October 11, 2021 at St. Anthony's Catholic Church, Belcourt, ND with a visitation beginning at 9:00 AM, Eulogy at 10:00 AM, and Rosary Service at 11:00 AM prior to the funeral mass. Burial will follow in the church cemetery.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.