Vernon D. Azure Sr., MD, age 66, of Belcourt, ND passed away on Tuesday, October 27, 2020 at Altru Hospital, Grand Forks, ND.

IN LOVING MEMORY OF DR. VERNON DONALD AZURE "WAABISHKAA  MAKWA (WHITE BEAR)"

Vern, son of the late William "Roger " Azure and Rosalie Laducer Azure, was born August 7, 1954 in Belcourt, ND.  He was raised on the Turtle Mountain Chippewa Reservation and attended school in Belcourt until he graduated high school in 1972.  He was his class valedictorian.

Vern married his high school sweetheart and soulmate, Margaret "Judy" (Kakenowash) Azure July 14, 1973.  Vern always had a dream of becoming a medical doctor.  He was accepted at the University of North Dakota, and moved to Grand Forks, ND in 1977 with Judy and their 2 young children.  Vern graduated from the University of North Dakota School of Medicine in May of 1988.  After completing his residency in Family Practice Medicine in Minot ND in 1991, he was finally able to fulfill his goal of returning to his Tribe, his home.  He served his community, which he deeply loved, by working for Indian Health Service until his retirement in 2018.  He worked most of his professional career at Quentin N. Burdick Memorial Health Care Facility in Belcourt, ND as a physician, a hospitalist, and finally Clinical Director.  He also worked part of his career at the Spirit Lake Health Center in Fort Totten, ND as a physician and Clinical Director for 5 years.  He was not able to stay retired for long.  He continued to serve his Turtle Mountain community as a locum tenens physician for National Medical Resources Inc until his passing.

Vern had many joys in life. He was an avid outdoorsman who loved to fish and hunt with his son, grandchildren, son-in-law Wiley, and nephew, Mark Azure.  He was happiest when he was surrounded by family and loved family dinners & get togethers.  He was an avid fan of the Minnesota Vikings and Minnesota Twins.  He enjoyed casinos, traveling with Judy, listening to music, telling stories, hearing his grandchildren sing, sitting on his deck & having coffee, laughing, eating good food, and having an ice, cold beer.  He was especially proud of his Chippewa heritage.  He loved attending pow-wows, traditional ceremonies, and was strong in his Anishinaabe spiritual beliefs.   He also had tremendous love for his friends, co-workers, and patients.

His life will forever be cherished in the lives of his wife of 47 years; his children: Vernon Jr. (Michelle) Azure of Belcourt, ND; Dr. Angela (Wiley) LaRocque of Dunseith, ND; adopted Anishinaabe daughter, Margaret Emmy Scott of Winnebago, NB; grandchildren: Aleesha Azure, Skye Azure, Tehya Azure,  Clay LaRocque, Amari LaRocque, Ashlin LaRocque; great-grandchild: Ares Unabia-Azure; brothers: Lancelot (Caroline) Azure, William (Tracy) Azure, and Clifford Azure, all of Belcourt, ND; sisters:  Joann Delorme, Judy (Perry) Lafountain, Diane (Richard) Trottier, Emily Davis, all of Belcourt, ND;  Dr. Shelly (Scott) Peltier of Rolla, ND; and his loving fur baby; Coconut Azure.  He also has many grandchildren in the Anishinaabe way.

He was preceded in death by his parents, his grandparents, William & Beatrice Azure and Emily & Maxim Laducer, sister, Joyce, his in-laws, James & Rose Kakenowash, brothers-in-law, Jimmy Kakenowash, Vincent Kakenowash-Dionne, Dennis Poni Cappo, & John Swai, Godchild/nephew, Richard "Poncho" McCloud, nephews, Dennis "Puff" Wilkie & Tony Hoeger, great-nephew, DJ Hoeger, and many aunts and uncles.

A Moving Visitation will be held from Noon to 6:00 PM on Sunday, November 1, 2020 at Fiddler's Hall, Belcourt, ND.  Masks will be required to be worn at all times. (As part of the moving visitation we appreciate your presence, love, and care but would request that you only stop briefly and return home to distance and be safe during this pandemic.)

Elick Funeral Home, Rolla, ND.