Our beloved son, brother, the coolest uncle and nephew, Norris Lee Red Tomahawk (Holy Elk) passed away on January 5, 2016 at 12:06 pm (CT) with his mother, father and sister at his side, St. Mary’s Hospital (Mayo), Rochester, MN. He battled Kidney Disease/Renal Dialysis for 27 years, which he fought till his last breath.
Norris was born on September 27, 1975 in Glendive, MT to Wilbur Red Tomahawk and Karen DuBoise. He attended the Poplar, MT, Wolf Point, MT and Standing Rock (ND) schools, participating in Basketball, Football and Baseball. He enjoyed spending his time visiting with his friends, playing games, cards, cruising around, watching movies, messing around with his remote control cars, fixing stereos and fishing… also during his teenage years, he loved to skateboard and learn new tricks, always getting new boards, shoes and trucks/wheels. When he lived in Poplar, he would ride motorcycles with his friends Ronnie, Mousey and other’s behind east end. Liked to fix up old cars and they would run forever, barely going down the road but the loudest stereo system coming from it… While he played baseball for the Wolf Point Yellow jackets, he did a no hitter and took state. He was known for wicked curveball and fast pitches, he loved the game and always would talk about how it would’ve been if he was still playing.
Norris was diagnosed with kidney disease at the age of 13 years old, had a kidney transplant when he was 14 years old and it rejected at age 21. Since then he has been on dialysis, but through many obstacles he was always determined and never gave up. There was countless times that we almost lost him and he would always pull through like nothing happened, we use to always tease him and say you’re like a cat with 9 lives but more like 100. He had major heart surgery on November 11, 2014 in Bismarck, ND in which he got his aortic valve replaced and double bypass…
December 15, 2015 he was flown to Billings, MT then transferred on December 21, 2015 to St. Mary’s Hospital (Mayo) in Rochester, MN. On December 24, 2015, the cardiologists wanted to meet with the family right away to discuss his options… So his father Wilbur, step-mother Ava, Sister Berta and niece Erika went out to meet with Norris and the heart team, which is when the surgeon and cardiologists said he was to high risk to operate on. That if they did the surgery, he wouldn’t make it through and if he didn’t do the surgery he would do medical therapy (antibiotics and pain meds) till his passing. So the family and Norris talked about it and decided to not do the surgery, and to move him back to Bismarck to be closer with family. His sister Berta stayed the night with him Christmas Eve, they took pictures, talked about all kinds of things, cried, laughed… and one comment he made to her was “I guess it’s time to go home now…” Then New Year’s Eve, his mother Karen, Sister Berta, niece Savannah and brother-in-law Shawn traveled back to Mayo to pick him up and bring him back to Bismarck, but when they got there… The doctor’s met with the family and said he’s too frail and he wouldn’t make the trip, Berta called her dad, he flew in and they all spent the last 5 days with Norris, at his side. His last word’s was to his sister Berta, when she was talking to him and told him, “Norris, I love you…” and he opened his eyes and said, “I love you too!” then closed his eyes again. 2 days later, his body relaxed and he took his last breath @ 12:06 pm.
He is survived by his mother, Karen DuBoise of Wolf Point, MT, his father, Wilbur (Ava) Red Tomahawk of Porcupine, ND, his sisters Wilberta (Shawn) Red Tomahawk, Miranda Eagle & Kathleen C. Red Tomahawk of Porcupine, ND. Brothers Darris DuBoise of Wolf Point, MT, Wyatt (Latoya) Red Tomahawk of Porcupine, ND, Andrew Thunder hawk & TJ Iron Road of Cannonball, ND. 9 Nephew’s and 10 nieces, which he held one special nephew dearly to his heart, Dusan Red Tomahawk.
Norris is preceded in death by his older sister Nickcole “Nikki” Red Tomahawk and Marisa Iron Road, maternal and paternal grandparents. And one favorite grandma, Evelyn E. Smith, which he had mentioned that he would be seeing her when he goes home… also his grandfather “Chester” Windy. His 3 aunts Brenda Red Tomahawk, Ernestine Huravitch & Patti (DuBoise) Sam.
Evening services will be held Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 7pm, Blue Sky Ministries, Wolf Point, MT. Funeral will be on Friday, January 15, 2016 at 11am, Blue Sky Ministries, Wolf Point, MT with burial in Poplar at the Poplar Cemetery. Following the burial, will be a dinner at the Blue Sky Ministries, Wolf Point, MT.
We will all miss you so much Norris and love you, but we’ll be at peace knowing you are not suffering or in pain no longer. Love, Mom
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7pm
Thursday January 14, 2016
Blue Sky Ministries
7443 Bia Route 168
Wolf Point, Mt. 59201
Funeral Service
11am
Friday January 15, 2016
Blue Sky Ministries
7443 Bia Route 168
Wolf Point, Mt. 59201
Service Schedule
Prayer Service
7pm
Thursday January 14, 2016
Blue Sky Ministries
7443 Bia Route 168
Wolf Point, Mt. 59201
Funeral Service
11am
Friday January 15, 2016
Blue Sky Ministries
7443 Bia Route 168
Wolf Point, Mt. 59201
Donna Black Dog says
My sincere sympathy to Karen, Wilber, Bertie and other family members. He will be missed by all that knew him. I pray for strength and comfort at this sad time.
Rose Morsette says
Karen & family,
Sending our condolences and prayers at this difficult time,
Ethelyn Moccasin says
Karen & family
Sending prayers and condolences at this
Difficult time..
Ronn & Ethelyn
Brandon Neal says
Take care Norris, gone too soon bro. Rest easy, good journey home.
Michelle Barsness says
Karen:
I am so sorry. You are in my thoughts and prayers.
David E. Boyd Sr. & Chong Ae. says
Karen:
Our prayers are with you and the family.
Juanita Cantrell says
Karen & Family, my condolences, I Pray for comfort during this time of loss, of your loved one.
Dreamis Eagle Boy says
Karen, I’m so sorry to hear of sons passing. Our condolences to your family, God bless.
Jason Hamilton says
Sorry for loss..Norris was a great guy..glad to known him and we played some great baseball together. .R.I.P. Bro…
Pauline Azure-Feuvray says
Sorry for your loss. God bless you all!
Brenda & Cyrenna says
My prayers for Norris’s journey and our thought and prayers for you Karen & Family?
Rhonda Mason says
Karen and family, so sorry to hear about your loss.
Thoughts and prayers for you and yours.
From your friend.
Traci LeVay-Holt says
Thoughts and prayers to Karen and family. So sorry for your loss.
Rich, Phoebe, Joey, The Blount's says
Karen
Sorry to hear of Norris’ Passing…
We Shared Similar Paths. Not only were we on Dialysis Together, but, my brother, Novy, played baseball for the YellowJackets with Norris… Novy said, “Norris was such a good Pitcher, the team nicknamed him, ‘Noise’…”
That’s the slang term baseball players use, when someone can really Pitch. They Say, “He Can Bring The Noise!”…
I’ll say a Prayer for Norris, in honor of Me, My Brother Novy, and all our other fellow YellowJackets.
Rest In Peace My Friend… Amen
Yvonne & Caleb Shields says
Karen ,my friend, our thoughts and prayers are with you and family. Take care, he’s in a better place now, Norris, don’t look back on your journey to be with your relatives.
darryl ricker says
Sorry to hear about Norris…God bless you and family….we will be praying for you….take care….The Rickers
Nancy Samuelson Foote says
Karen & Family – Albert and I send our prayers to you. May the Creator watch over you during this difficult time.
Rosella Sky Arrow says
May God comfort all of you in your time of lose. We know how close you were as a family. Your son lived a fulfilling life and will be missed by all. Keeping you Karen and Darris in our prayers. Sincerely, The Wilson Sky Arrow family
Vickie Delger says
Karen,
What a nice obituary, so sorry to hear of your son’s passing. May God comfort and guide you during this time of sorrow.
Vickie
Wayne & Evetta Two Bulls says
Karen and family,
Our thoughts and prayers are with you all during this difficult time.
Our deepest sympathy,
Wayne and Evetta Two Bulls
Carolyn Brugh says
Karen,
I’m sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family during this time.
Terrell Sutherland says
Your time here was too short, you will always be remembered. My condolences to the family and friends, he was a warrior!
Gina FourStar says
Sending prayers and hugs to the family.
Norris, your pain free, now you can fly with the angels. You’ll be missed.
Berta says
As the days go by, day, night, day & night…. I hurt inside because I know if you was still here you would be trying to do all kinds of things, cruising around with your music up, sitting at my house watching fishing stories or ufo stuff or at dads, while dad cooked you breakfast everyday…. I hear it takes time but no one can define time against how close we was, I miss you!
Tom Pack says
I would like to communicate with Wilbur Red Tomahawk. My name is Tom Pack. I am 75 years old and live in Georgetown Texas. Back in the late 1970’s I was managing a seismic crew out of Billings MT. WR Tomahawk was about 18 years old and worked for me along with his friend Kenny Wallowing Bull. I have Alzheimers and my memory is almost non-existant, but nobody could forget Wilbur Red Tomahawk. I think that is the coolest name in the history of the world. I am going to ask my son to name his next son Wilbur Red Tomahawk Pack.