Ruby "Doobie" St. Claire, age 63, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Thursday, June 11, 2020 at her home surrounded by her loving family, following a several month battle of lung cancer.

Ruby Esther St. Claire, Misko Bangishiimod Babamishimo "Red Sunset Dancing Around", was born on July 28, 1956 in Minneapolis, MN to Marvin and Ernestine (Day) St. Claire. She attended Wahpeton Indian School and Flandreau Indian School, completing her education. Ruby was united in marriage to Richard Charbonneau Sr. and later divorced. She then later was united in marriage to Glen DeCoteau, where he preceded her in death in 1998. She was the proud mother of six children, Kevin, Richard Jr., Ricarda "Joy", Rheannon, Cody, and Agnes "AJ". Ruby loved time spent with her family members especially her children and grandchildren. She enjoyed attending cookouts, going to Pow-Wows and was very talented at making regalia. Ruby also liked going to the casino, sewing, and cleaning.

Ruby was known as Kookum because she was a loving and fun grandma to all the youngsters that she was close to and eventually was known as Kookum to everyone. Ruby Doobie was another nickname she had because she loved to smoke her medicine no matter where she was at, friends and family always made sure to puff her up. No matter where Kookum was she would always make sure to put a smile on your face and make you laugh; she would say the most random things to people whether she knew you or not. Kookum was a very kind hearted woman and was always there for anyone that needed her. She would always say "I don't have much but I will give you what I have." Kookum loved all of her grandchildren, and raised and adopted her grandson, Skylor, and considered him as her son. Skylor became her pow-wow partner at an early age and traveled all over Indian Country to dance at pow-wows, and went all out for Skylor. She taught him his traditional ways throughout their pow-wow trail and was very proud to watch him dance. Ruby was a very traditional woman who passed her knowledge on to her children and grandchildren. She was well respected by many from the community and was proud of her Turtle Mountain Indian Reservation, being Anishinabe, and of her lineage and Daniels Bloodline from Swan Lake and Living Plains in Canada. Ruby was the life of the party. She was never serious unless he had to be. She was a free-spirited woman and loved nature. Ruby loved people and made friends with everyone and treated them all with love and respect. The family of Kookum would like to thank everyone for all of the calls, visits, messages, donations, words of kindness, support, doobies, and love.

Ruby is survived by her children, Kevin Charbonneau, Richard Charbonneau Jr., Ricarda "Joy" Charbonneau, Rheannon Charbonneau, Cody St. Claire, and Agnes "AJ" St. Claire, all of Belcourt; fifteen grandchildren; two great grandchildren; and her siblings, Lila St. Claire, Clyde St. Claire, Karen Hernandez, Eugene St. Claire, Linus St. Claire, and Daniel St. Claire; adopted sisters, Stephanie St. Claire, Lahoma St. Claire, Penny St. Claire, and Amanda Charette.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Marvin and Ernestine St. Claire, husband, Glen DeCoteau, her brother, Manny St. Claire, nephews, Lonnie Charbonneau and Marvin Charbonneau, and daughter-in-law, Zabrina Cooper.

Casket Bearers will be Cody St. Claire, Richard Charbonneau Jr., Kevin Charbonneau, Earl Charbonneau, Skylor Charbonneau, Norman St. Pierre, and Greg Charbonneau Jr. Honorary Bearers are all family and friends. Drum group is Foxtail Singers. Dancing by Skylor Charbonneau and Darrian St. Pierre. Barb Esau officiating with prayers by Father Richard Fineo.

A visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at Fiddler's Hall, Belcourt, ND. Funeral ceremonies will be Thursday morning, June 18, 2020 at Fiddler's Hall, Belcourt, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.