Ernest (Wendell) Bradford Sr., age 65, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Thursday, August 7, 2025 at Trinity Hospital, Minot, ND.

Ernest (Wendell) Bradford Sr. was born on November 18, 1959 in Belcourt, ND to Yvonne Claire (Grant) and Ernest Emil Bradford.  He was raised in Chicago, Illinois and completed his elementary education after moving back to Belcourt, ND.  He attended school in Aberdeen, SD and completed his high school education at Fort Yates, ND.  Ernest was first married to Linda Laducer, and later to Sherry Jerome; both marriages ended in divorce. He then met Maggie Larkins, and together they were blessed with a son, Ernest Jr. Ernest later married Lola Black Hoop, with whom he shared many years, until her passing.  Ernest worked many jobs throughout his life including the Manufacturing plant in Dunseith.  He also worked on buses in Grand Forks ND, as well as at the sugar beet farms in Hansboro, ND.  Ernest was the manager of the "Feast of the Rock" restaurant for 10 years at the Prairie Nights Casino.  When he returned back to the Belcourt area after his wife passed away, he worked at the Sky Dancer Casino, and most recently worked for the TMBCI at the commodity warehouse. Ernest retired in 2023.  Ernest enjoyed sports, local basketball games, watching his nieces and nephews, and was an avid fan of the Vikings and Redskins.  He liked listening to many different music artists, his favorites including the Cars and Hank Williams Jr. Ernest also enjoyed watching movies and going to the casino after his retirement. He loved time spent with his family members, his son, his siblings, and nieces and nephews. Ernest will be lovingly remembered and greatly missed by all.

Ernest is survived by his son, Ernest "EJ" Bradford, Jr. of Belcourt; siblings, JoAnne (Fabian) DeCoteau of Belcourt, Wanda (Ron) Parisien of Belcourt, Waylon (Lorene) Lindgren of Belcourt, and James (Bineeshi) Lindgren of Belcourt; Godchildren, Jen Davis of Belcourt and Veronica Lindgren of Grand Forks; and many nieces and nephews.

Ernest was preceded in death by his parents, Yvonne Claire Lindgren, Ernest Emil Bradford, sister, Joletta Shipman, and step-father, James "Jim" Lindgren Sr.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Thursday, August 14, 2025 at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Belcourt, ND with visitation beginning at 8:00 AM and Rosary Service at 9:00 AM prior to the funeral mass.  Burial will take place in St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Belcourt, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.