Gladys DeCoteau, age 63, of Belcourt, ND entered the spirit world on Saturday, June 5, 2021 at the Belcourt Hospital, Belcourt, ND following at long battle with cancer.

Gladys Christine, Ozhaawashko Oziisigobimish "Blue Willow", was a beautiful baby girl born on June 3, 1958 to Edward and Caroline (Brunelle) DeCoteau in Belcourt, ND.  She was the baby girl of the family.  She entered the spirit world on June 5, 2021 after a long battle with cancer.

Gladys attended St. Ann's School, Wahpeton Indian School and the Turtle Mountain Schools.  She graduated with her GED and a two-year degree in Early Childhood.

Gladys was united in marriage to Anthony "Tony" Poitra Sr. on Novmeber 19, 1998 and they were parents to five beautiful children, Charlissa, Nicole, Tony Jr., Dustin, and Jessica, grandparents to 21 grandchildren and six great grandchildren.

Gladys was a kind, wonderful, dedicated, good-hearted, beautiful woman who never hesitated to help anyone in need.  Throughout her life, she worked for Skydancer Casino, the Parent Program and her longest and most enjoyable job was working for Turtle Mountain Head Start.  She worked at head start for 20 years until her health issues forced her to leave.  She enjoyed every day of that 20 years giving and getting hugs from all of her head start babies every morning and night.  Plenty of her own nieces and nephews were given daily hugs and they all called her "Teacher Gladys."  She still enjoyed hugs from her "grown up" students occasionally when she would see them.

Gladys had numerous hobbies and she wanted things done just right (she was a perfectionist), playing at the casino's, making quilts and tying them just like her mother did.  She enjoyed beading rosaries, fishing, playing bingo and cards, camping, singing and playing guitar, and cooking and baking bangs (everyone agreed she made the best in town).  She also enjoyed making lawn ornaments, planting her own flowers, cutting her lawn, remodeling her home, and making decorations for her loved one's graves and as well as Christmas decorations.  She was always busy and still found time for family and friends.   She shared quilts, rosaries, and angle decorations with all her family and friends who were in turn honored to receive these wonderful gifts.

Gladys had a wonderous strength and faith which she tried hard to pass on to her children.  She drew strength from her rosary.  She said prayers with each stitch of the quilts she sewed and each bead she applied when making her rosaries that she gave away.  Gladys said that it calmed her and helped her forget about the constant pain she endured.  No matter how much pain she felt she always tried to be strong for everyone else by smiling, laughing and sometimes teasing and just having fun.  She loved the time spent with family, visiting, singing and playing cards.  She surely will be missed by all who loved her.

Gladys is survived by her husband, Tony Poitra Sr. of Belcourt; children, Charlissa (Jonathan) DeCoteau, Nicole (Jesse) Thiefoe, Tony Jr. (Carla) Poitra, Dustin Poitra, and Jessica (Travis) Poitra, all of Belcourt; 21 grandchildren, Brandon, Kyra, Tyler, Autumn, Summer, Kobe, Shanice, Weston, Baily, Wyatt, Traci, Lee, Braiden, Toni, Taylee, Ian, Jeremy, Dustin Jr., Madison, Jirhea, and Shayan; six great grandchildren, Kalyah, Ryan, Braylynn, Malea, Annalia, and Stormee; brothers, Robert (Andrea) DeCoteau, Steven DeCoteau, and Wally (Roberta) DeCoteau, all of Belcourt; sisters, Phyllis (Dalbert) Brien, Carol Rose (Buzz) Grant, Linda DeCoteau, Claudia (Art) DeLong, Marla DeCoteau, and Wanda DeCoteau, all of Belcourt; God children, Jason DeCoteau, Danielle Baker, Holden Peach, and Toni Poitra; sister's-in-law, Brenda DeCoteau of Belcourt and Tina Poitra of Minot; brother's-in-law, Gordon (Annette) Poitra of Spokane, WA, Ronnie (Theresa) Poitra, Michael Poitra, and Billy (Michelle) Poitra, all of Belcourt and numerous nieces and nephews.

Gladys was preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Caroline DeCoteau, grandparents, Andrew and Mary DeCoteau and Louis and Mary Brunelle, father and mother-in-law, Dominic and Ruth Poitra, brothers, Louis, Vincent, Gregory, Glenn, and Troy DeCoteau; and brother-in-law, Edie Poitra.

Casket Bearers are Robert DeCoteau, Steven DeCoteau, Wallace DeCoteau Sr., Dustin Poitra, Jeff DeCoteau, Edward DeCoteau, Jason DeCoteau, Holden Peach, Billy Poitra, and Ronnie "Puckon" Poitra.  Honorary Bearers are all family members and friends.  Rosary led by Phyllis, Carol, Linda, Claudia, Marla, Wanda, Roberta, and Susie.  Pall placed by her children.  Eucharistic Gifts by Toni, Taylee, and Madison.  Reading and Eulogy by Susan Delorme and Roberta DeCoteau.  Special music by Wallace DeCoteau Sr., Leonard Keplin, Gladys's sisters, Susie, Roberta, and Linda Poitra.

A visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Thursday, June 10, 2021 at St. Ann's Catholic Church, Belcourt, ND with a Rosary Service at 7:00 PM with Fr. Dave Brokke presiding.  A Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, June 11, 2021 at 10:00 AM in the church with Fr. Michael Slovak presiding.  Burial will follow funeral services at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Belcourt, ND.  A meal will follow burial services at the KC Hall, Belcourt, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.