Raymond "Budgie" Belgarde, age 89, of Rolla, North Dakota passed away on the morning of Wednesday, August 28, 2024 at SMP Health-St. Kateri Hospital in Rolla, North Dakota.

Raymond was born on January 10, 1935 at the Belcourt Hospital to Martin and Elizabeth Belgarde as the fourth sibling of an eventual family of ten children.  Many of his siblings had unique nicknames, with Raymond's being "Budgie," the name for the common parakeet.  He was raised in rural Rolette County and graduated from the St. John High School.  Following graduation, he enlisted in the military and served as a Marine from 1953 to 1956 in Korea.  He received the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, and United Nations Service Medal.  After receiving an honorable discharge, Budgie married Patricia Jeanotte on August 24, 1957 at St. Ann's Church in Belcourt.  They had three daughters, Raylene Marie, Jacqueline Elizabeth, and Lisa Rae.

Budgie attended school in Wahpeton and became a licensed electrician.  Throughout his career, he worked at St. Ann's Mission as a maintenance man and for the Bureau of Indian Affairs as a custodian and bus driver.  In his younger years, Budgie enjoyed ice fishing, shooting at Wayne's Pool Hall, and riding with the Northern Lights Snowmobile Club.  Later in life, Patti and he enjoyed hosting the family Christmas party of December 23, getting exercise and having coffee with a walking group daily, and traveling throughout the northern US and southern Canada at attend powwows.  He was a devout Catholic, having prayed the rosary every night with the Turtle Mountain Rosary Group and attending mass every Saturday in-person and Sunday virtually.  His memory will live on in the hearts of the most fortunate to have known and loved him.

Raymond is survived by his daughters, Raylene (Bruce) Parisien, Jackie (Mark) Mundy, and Lisa (Ricky) McCloud; granddaughters, Audrey (Chris) Bercier, Mandy (Alvin Jr.) Swain, Kalina (Derek) Hiam, Kristi (Robert) Smith, and Madison Mundy; great-grandsons, Tucker Bercier, Madden Swain, Easton Smith, and Max Swain; great granddaughters, Ahlivia Swain, Camille Bercier, and Ella Smith; siblings,  Harry (Bev) Belgarde and Sandy (Gary) Thomas; adopted foreign exchange daughters, Azalea (Carlos) Jimenez, Katia Castro, and Colleen Williams; as well as numerous family and friends.

Raymond was preceded in death by his wife, Patti; parents, Martin and Elizabeth; in-laws, John and Marie Jeanotte; granddaughter, Chelsea Parisien; and siblings, Lorraine, Verlin, Dolores, Donald, Yvonne, Jerry, and Larry.

A Mass of Chrisitan Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Monday, September 2, 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. Burial will follow the funeral mass at St. Ann's Catholic Cemetery, Belcourt, ND with military honors conducted by the Lilley-Dionne American Legion Post #262 of Belcourt and the Grand Forks Marine Military Funeral Honor Guard.  A meal will follow burial services at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church, St. John, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.