Steven L DeCoteau, age 78, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Sunday, February 1, 2026 at Quentin Burdick Memorial Hospital, Belcourt, ND.

Steven Lawrence DeCoteau was born on February 15, 1947 in Belcourt, ND to Edward and Caroline (Brunelle) DeCoteau.  He was raised in Belcourt and graduated from Belcourt High School in 1965 as Class President. Steve furthered his education at Hartnell Junior College in Salinas, CA where he studied youth services. He then attended Mayville State College earning a Bachelor of Science degree with a double major in Business Education and Physical Education. While at college in Mayville, Steve played football for the Mayville Comets. He then earned a Master of Arts in Guidance and Counseling at the University of North Dakota in 1974.

Steve was united in marriage to Jerilyn Monette in April 1968 and together they had two daughters, Shari and Stephanie. They later divorced.  He then married Susan Gourneau in July 2000 and together they had a daughter, Carlie. They later divorced. Steve served as a District 2 Tribal Councilman from 1974-78 and was the Vice-Chairman during his second term in office. He then began his career at Turtle Mountain (Community) College working as an adjunct instructor from 1976-2013. He started working full time in the Placement/Career Guidance office in 1983, and in 1984 he became the Special Services Counselor/Director (which later became the Student Services Director) until 2015. Steve was also a coach for the TMCC men's and women's basketball teams, taking the men's team to AIHEC Basketball Tournaments and winning the championship in 2003. He also taught basketball, bowling, walking, archery, volleyball, weight lifting, flag football, softball, and golf.  After retiring, he returned to the college as the student union cook from 2017-2024, where he made and served soup every Wednesday at no cost to the students. In his early career, Steve also worked at a youth group home in Belcourt and a bookkeeper and plumber for a few local businesses. Before working at the college, he worked summers in Bismarck as a Law Enforcement Assistance Coordinator and a counselor for a youth activity program at the United Tribes Technical College.

Steve was known locally for his jams and jellies he made, especially his famous jalapeno jelly. He grew many of his own fruits and berries for his jellies, but also had many friends in the community who would give him various berries, wild plums, and rhubarb. He enjoyed being outdoors, fishing, golfing, bow hunting, and raising his horses. In high school, Steve and 3 other athletes set a state record for a 4-man 400 yard relay race which they held for nearly 40 years. Steve loved time spent with his family members, playing cards with his siblings, nieces, and nephews; and especially watching his daughter and grandchildren play basketball and teaching them to fish, enjoy guitar, play sports, and golf.  Steve was a very social person and a mentor to many.  He will be forever remembered and greatly missed.

Steve is survived by his daughters, Shari DeCoteau, Stephanie DeCoteau, and Carlie DeCoteau, all of Belcourt; seven grandchildren, Symone, Annmarie, Ramie, Natalie, Steven, Brodey, and Amelia; two great grandchildren, Alani and Koi; siblings, Robert (Andrea) DeCoteau, Wallace (Roberta) DeCoteau, Linda DeCoteau, Claudia DeLong, and Wanda DeCoteau, all of Belcourt; sister-in-saw, Brenda DeCoteau and brother-in-law, Dalbert Brien, of Belcourt; Godchildren, Anna Davis, Lisa Monette, Misty Smith, and Dustin Poitra; and many nieces and nephews.

Steven was preceded in death by his parents, Edward and Caroline DeCoteau, brothers, Louis, Vincent, Gregory, Glenn, and Troy DeCoteau (Godchild), and sisters, Phyllis Brien, Carol Rose Grant, Marla DeCoteau, and Gladys DeCoteau.

Casket Bearers are Steven Gillis, Brodey Poitra, Koi Slater, Jason DeCoteau, Wallace DeCoteau, Wallace DeCoteau Jr., Edward DeCoteau, Henry DeCoteau, and Jerry Gese.

A visitation will begin at 6:00 PM on Friday, February 6, 2026 at Turtle Mountain College, Belcourt, ND with a Rosary Service at 8:00 PM.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 7, 2026 at Turtle Mountain College, Belcourt, ND. Meal will follow at the Derrick Dixon Event Center, Belcourt, ND.

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.