Donald J. Cain, age 70, of St. John, ND passed away on Tuesday, October 8, 2024 near St. John, ND.

Donald John Cain, "Papa Ta Gunu, Spotted War Eagle Warrior," was born on August 31, 1954 in Belcourt, ND to Johnny and AnnaBelle (Langan) Cain.  He was raised by his grandmother and attended school at Flandreau Indian School in South Dakota.  He furthered his education at Minot State University graduating with high honors while obtaining a bachelor degree in addiction studies and a minor in psychology.  Donald enlisted in the United States Army in 1973 and received an honorable discharge in 1975 receiving the National Defense Service Medal during his service.  He was united in marriage to Julie Pepion on July 21, 1979 at Two Medicine Mission.  Together they raised Shirley, Joseph, Sonja, Sheena, Josh, and Brandon.  Donald worked for the government in the food and consumer program for over 25 years before retiring.  He was a gifted traditional artist, well known, having his art displayed in museums such as the Smithsonian and Harvard University and received many top awards from the Northern Plains Native American Art Expo (Top Honors) and United Tribes Art Expo to name a few. He traveled to many art shows and received many honors throughout his life. Donald enjoyed the outdoors gardening, often growing traditional herbs and making wonderful teas, as well as, working with hides, feathers, and jewelry.  He was an avid reader, loving reading almost more than anything.  Donald was always known as a hard worker, extremely smart, and had a wonderful sense of humor, always laughing with those around him.  He adored spending time with his family members, his wife, the love of his life whom he loved dearly, his children, grandchildren, siblings, and his chickens that he raised from chicks.  Donald will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed.

Donald is survived by his wife, Julie Cain of St. John; children, Sonja (Vinier Davis) Cain of St. John, Sheena Cain of Las Vegas, NV, Josh Swagger of Bismarck, and Brandon Lawrence of Dunseith; seven grandchildren, Andrew Anderson, Darius Cain, Sage Cain, Cedar Cain, Wakiyan "Thunder" Cain, MaryAnn Madkins, and Domanic Madkins Jr.; Godchildren, John Isaiah Pepion of Birch Creek, MT and Arthur Boyiddle of Carniega, OK; siblings, Barbara Martell of Belcourt, Dorothy Nault of California, Betty (Tom) Abrahamson of St. John, Patty (Tony) Davis of St. John, and Duane Cain of St. John; and many nieces and nephews.

Donald was preceded in death by his parents, daughter, Shirley Anderson, and son, Joseph Daniel Cain.

Casket Bearers are Nathan Gustafson, Darius Cain, Sage Cain, John Pepion, Dustin Pepion, Josh Swagger, Brandon Lawrence, Vinier Davis, Chad Onstead, Shawn Kipp, Jason Martell, Bobby Martell, Darrell Charette, and Wakiyan Cain. Honorary Bearers are Vernon Langan, Arthur Boyiddle and Spirit Wind Drum Group.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, October 12, 2024 at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. John, ND with visitation beginning at 8:00 AM and Rosary Service/Eulogy at 9:00 AM prior to the funeral mass. Father Richard Fineo presiding.  Military Funeral Honors will follow funeral services by the Lilley-Dionne American Legion #262 of Belcourt, ND and the Military Funeral Honor Guard of Grand Forks, ND. Burial will take place at a later date at Robare Cemetery, Birch Creek, Montana.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.