Ethel DeCoteau, age 80, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Wednesday, March 2, 2022 at her home.

Ethel Rose DeCoteau was born on July 3, 1941 to MaryAnn Dauphinais (Ronning) and Joseph DeCoteau.  Ethel was the third youngest sibling of eight.  She grew up in Belcourt and attended boarding schools in South Dakota.  She met Raymond Long, who became her husband, and together they moved to Washington State.  Ethel and Ray adopted Laurie DeCoteau together and later welcomed their daughter, Tamra.  Ethel attended schooling at Antioch College in Seattle, WA and obtained a degree in social work. She worked for the Seattle Indian Health Board, where she spent time dedicated to providing mental health services and developing programs for the Board.  Ethel also worked for the Division of Child and Family services, where she specialized in serving the Indigenous populations, recruitment for foster homes, and child welfare.  She was a fierce and fiery advocate for those in need, especially serving her fellow Native Americans.  She was well respected in the work force and made long lasting impacts in all those she served.  Later, Ethel retired from the workforce in 1993.  Ethel remarried her husband, Omar Buckner in the 1980's and they moved back to Belcourt from Washington in 1996.  Ethel enjoyed spending time with her siblings, her children, her grandchildren, and her many friends she had made along the way.  Ethel was close to her mother and dedicated her time to making sure her mother's final years were spent in peace and comfort.  Ethel exuded light and joy wherever she went and she wasn't afraid to speak her mind and "tell it like it is."  She will be dearly missed by those who loved her.

Ethel passed away in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her close family, who she loved very much.  She was preceded in death by her parents, MaryAnn and Joseph, brothers, Moyer and Dave DeCoteau, sister, Theresa Homung (DeCoteau), daughter, Laurie DeCoteau, and late husband, Omar Buckner.

Ethel is survived by her daughter, Tamra DeCoteau (Long) (Sylvia Wilkie, special friend) of Belcourt, ND; grandson, James Long (Holly Long) of Grand Forks, ND; granddaughter, Kateri Long (Daylon Delorme) of Grand Forks, ND; sister, Jeanette DeCoteau of Washington; brothers, Earl DeCoteau of Belcourt, Roman DeCoteau of Grand Forks, and Gary DeCoteau of Washington; great grandchildren, Alayah Long, Madelynn Long, Tatum Long, Bryson Delorme, Henley Delorme, and Haivyn Delorme; and many special friends, extended family and loved ones.

A Celebration of Life will be planned for Summer of 2022.  Special thanks to Heart of America Hospice of Rugby, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.