Anthony V. McDonald

Anthony "Tony" McDonald "S'ungwatohda Wicasa" (Wild Horse Man)

Deacon Tony McDonald, our beloved father, brother, grandfather, uncle, great grandfather, and relative was called to his heavenly rest on Sunday, December 7, 2025. He was in the care of HIA Hospice and family members at his home in Fort Totten.

A Wake Vigil will be held Thursday, December 11 at Crow Hill Wellness Center,, rural Fort Totten ND from 5 pm to 9 pm. Prayer Service and Rosary will be held at 7 pm. The procession to Crow Hill will leave at 4 pm on Thursday from City Plaza, Devils Lake. Music by Neal Hale, Terry Halsey, Ivan Chartrand, Turtle Mountain Prayer Group, Marva Tollefson, Catherine Howard and Donovan Foughty. Lake Region Singers will provide traditional songs. Dad requested no overnight wake be held. At 9 pm, Deacon Tony will be transferred to Seven Dolors Church, Fort Toitten to rest in his lifetime church overnight.

On Friday, final viewing will be from 9-11 am at Crow Hill Wellness Center. Funeral services will be at 11 am. Tony will be laid to rest at St Jerome’s cemetery next to his wife, Vina McDonald.

• Celebrant: Fr Steve Meyer
• Homilist: Fr Bernie Pfau
• Bishop Michael Cole
• All attending priests and deacons, vested will serve as concelebrants.
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Anthony “Tony” McDonald was born in August 1937 as a member of Spirit Lake Tribe in Fort Totten, ND area. He was educated in a Catholic boarding school and spent his entire life devoted to the Catholic faith. During his younger years, Dad lived with Lily Shaw & family and acknowledged them as his family too. Dad was grateful they took him in and provided a home. Kunsi Rachel Twohearts had a maternal influence on Dad as he grew up. He suffered loss at an early age when his mother died in 1953 leaving behind Tony to take responsibility of his 8 brothers and sisters. Neighbors came in during the day to take care of the little ones; their paternal grandmother came from Montana to help. Tony graduated as valedictorian of the Class of 1953. He went to college at Haskell and Wahpeton. Tony met his destiny, Vina Wells McDonald at a powwow celebration. In 1959, Tony married Vina Wells and they raised their family of 10 children, 6 daughters and 4 sons in the Catholic faith while passing on the rich heritage of the Dakota, Hidatsa and Arikara nations They were married for 62 years until Vina passed on February 5, 2022. In early years, they made their home with her parents in the Lucky Mound area of MHA Nation. Tony said he felt accepted into the Wells family and experienced the love of a family. His in-laws were good to him and treated him as a son. The job situation was so limited, Tony worked and stayed at local farms for $40 weekly which was used to sustain our family. Eventually, Tony moved his family to Spirit Lake Nation to gain permanent employment. He encountered personal challenges and struggled with alcoholism. He went to treatment and since 1978, Tony maintained his wellbriety, staying sober and sharing his experiences in a truthful and forthright manner. He has been a role model for others seeking support and help from addictions. In 1978, when he set aside the alcohol, he listened to God’s calling to the ministry. He was encouraged to study for the deaconate program and after 3 years, he professed his vows in the presence of God, ordained priests, and family and friends. On May 28, 1983, Tony became the first American Indian to be ordained as a deacon in the state of North Dakota and by the Fargo Diocese of the Catholic Church. After his ordination, Deacon Tony and his wife, Vina provided a ministry of God’s healing and comfort through prayer and song. His ministry was their ministry, serving God together. They helped countless families through times of grief and mourning, and these same families came together to comfort and support Tony and Vina when they lost their sons, Duane to a tragic shooting incident, and Michael to hypothermia. They adopted through hunka, our brothers Sam McKay, Justin McDonald, Neal Hale, Richard White Bear, the late Wayne Tex White Bear, Ivan Chartrand, Wayne Jr and David Trottier, and the late Darin Bruce; sisters Renita Shaw, Celeste Herman, and our sister Sr Nancy Boushey. Brother Elliott Ward adopted Dad as his Ate’

Tony witnessed marriages, baptisms, prayer meetings, healing services, and provided guidance to many individuals and families. Tony was honored to be godparent for Eugene Sonny White, Toni Marie Lohnes, Lea & Lisa Kills Plenty, late Jaret Longie, Tanya Jean Jetty, Ashton Littlewind, Henrietta Hedine, Messiah Bowker, and Anthony Hopkins.

Tony served our community, our state, and our nation in many ways. Tony sought funding and implemented the Family Development Center, an alcohol treatment approach focused on family unification and family healing. He served as director for many years and then assisted Spirit Lake Tribe in re-establishing their alcohol treatment program for individuals.

As a fluent Dakota speaker, Tony taught Dakota culture and language classes in the elementary school, initiating an Indian club for the children to learn and practice dancing and singing while promoting positive self-identity and pride in their ancestry. He worked hard to perpetuate the Dakota language and values, developing his own educational materials because during the 1970’s, cultural strengthening was still an emerging field in educational institutions. He assisted young cowboys in realizing their dreams through mentoring the rodeo club. Tony served on local school boards, making a whole hearted effort to advocate for the children. He was a private business owner, providing security and cleaning services while offering employment opportunities for the community.

For many years, Tony and his family coordinated efforts to honor area veterans on Veteran’s Day, holding a recognition ceremony and a community dinner, raising funds and seeking sponsorship of the meal and veteran gifts. Veterans Day was an opportunity to show gratitude to all who served our country. Memorial Day was spent at the cemetery, remembering our loved ones with prayer, gift baskets and food that were given to veterans and others.

In 2016, Tony McDonald was inducted into the North Dakota Native American Hall of Honor. He was grateful to share his story, hoping others would take something positive from it. Deacon Tony was recognized for his lifelong commitment to family, the Spirit Lake nation, and other tribal nations throughout the United States and Canada.

After our parents became ill with covid, they were hospitalized with Dad being discharged to the nursing home and Mom sent by life flight to Fargo. Dad became a resident of Good Shepherd Lutheran Home in New Rockford ND. He returned home on November 6th, 2025. What a joyous day it was. Dad was so happy!

We are blessed with the best parents. They never gave up on us, praying daily for God’s intervention and guidance to reach us. Dad instilled a strong work ethic in us. They encouraged us to get our education. They told us to take care of each other. They modeled generosity and love for others. They taught us respect for our cultures and values of our Dakota, Arikara, Hidatsa heritage. They welcomed others into our home including Sam McKay, Peter Owlboy Sr, Rob Greywater, JR Fox, Kevin Dauphinais, Trina Brownshield, Janifer Jensen, Mark Fassett, friends of our brothers and sisters.

Tony was an all-around athlete, our favorite cowboy, independent basketball player, and a daily runner. He fought for better health when diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. It was a challenge when he became a double amputee, however, he didn’t complain and worked hard to regain mobility. Even triple bypass heart surgery did not slow him down. Tony set the example for us through hard work, determination, and putting God first. Tony continued to serve God and to help wherever he could. He shared his favorite encouraging words often; “There is no success without God.”

We want to acknowledge our tiwahe in the McDonald, White Thunder, Antoine-McKay, Sherman, Wells, Sherwood, Eugene & Marcella White, White Bear, Gene & Yvonne White, Howling Wolf families. Dad was grateful for your love and caring throughout his lifetime. He respected his cousins Jan Two Shields, Darlene Wadsworth, Helena Littleghost, Millie McKay, Justine Two Lodge, Wicahpi Tawacinhehomini, Anita Barragan, Astel Cavanaugh.

We will miss our Dad, brother, grandpa so much, beyond words. We know he’s at peace, going to Jesus! Everything Dad believed in during his life, is coming true for him. We are grateful for his prayers, love, words of wisdom, and cultural knowledge that he left with us. Many people reminded us how much he missed our mother and encouraged us to stay strong to help him on his sacred journey. We did our best. Pidamayaye, wetAxkoosšteéRAt for your support and prayers.

Greatly missed by sisters Dinah Aceveda, Helena Littleghost, sister-in-law Mamie Sherwood; brother-in-law Frank & Bessie Sherwood; children Elliott Ward, Neal & Kim Hale, Renita & Bud Shaw, Celeste Herman, David Trottier, Dr Wayne & Paola Trottier, Justin McDonald, Sr Nancy Boushey, Ivan & Bernice Chartrand, Richard White Bear, Sam McKay, Antonette Swadeau & Terry Halsey, Dr Leander Russell & Francine McDonald, Ardell Blueshield, Mervel & Karen McDonald, Molly & Marshall DeMarce, Myra & Clayton DuBois, Fran McDonald, Evie McDonald, Nola & Carlos Lopez, son-in-law Ron Lohnes; grandchildren Anthony & Lisa Hopkins, Harry Hopkins III, Chauncey Hopkins, Palmer Hopkins, Travis & Candi Hopkins, Wesley and Vincent Halsey, Duane Littlewind, Adrianne Jackson, Brian & Aimee McDonald, Leandra Thomas, Lynelle Whiteman, Christa Blueshield, Shana, Dana, Ethan, and Stuart & Paige Lohnes, Nathaniel, Miranda, Maria McDonald, Christina & Luke Michaelson, Josh & Kara Colon, Karrah Alberts, Dondra, Alayna, Toni Marie Lohnes, PJ & Fretzie Lohnes, Ryan Brown, Tori Brown, Damian Blackbird, Heather and Angela Belgarde, Nelvette and Carlos Lopez, Dahlia Finley, Amber Finley and many nieces, nephews. Dad and Mom’s family legacy includes 34 grandchildren, 70 great grandchildren and 6 great-great grandchildren. Grandchildren, treasure your memories and remember to pray!

There is a reunion in heaven with Tony’s loved ones; wife Vina Wells McDonald, parents Evelyn White Thunder McDonald & Michael V McDonald, in-laws Ralph Wells Sr, Ralph Jr & Olive Sherwood Wells and family, sisters and brothers Adeline Trottier, Priscilla Oldridge, Joann Finley, Kathleen Cavanaugh, Demus McDonald, George McDonald, Sandra McDonald, Russell McDonald and infant brother; sons Duane McDonald and Michael R McDonald, daughter Mary Lohnes; son-in-law Clayton Blueshield; grandchildren Nelvette Lynn McDonald Halsey, Lindsey Littlewind, Cassie McDonald, great grandsons Leighton Hopkins and Evan Michaelson.

Pallbearers for the wake vigil (grandsons & great grandsons)

1. Brian McDonald
2. Chauncey Hopkins
3. Josh Colon
4. Stuart Lohnes
5. Nathaniel McDonald
6. PJ Lohnes
7. Ryan Brown
8. Elias Thomas
9. Brayden Thomas
10. Damian Blackbird

Pallbearers for the funeral services (Dad personally requested these gentlemen carry him).

1. Bernard White
2. Alan Howard
3. Neal Hale
4. John Grann
5. Frank Henry
6. Jon Lewis
7. Cody White Bear
8. Speedy Bruce

Honorary pallbearers

1. Donovan Foughty
2. Elliott Ward
3. Francis & Mary Lou Davis
4. Leonard Village Center
5. Charlotte Monette
6. Kenny Wells
7. Tom Wells
8. Billy Dean Cavanaugh
9. Luke & Connie Baker
10. Leonard & Denise Keplin
11. Kenny McKay
12. Eugene Sonny White
13. Dale McKay
14. John Knudsen
15. Mark Fox
16. Roberta Kay Crowsbreast
17. Doris Packineau
18. Eugene & Marcella White family
19. Helena Littleghost
20. Stephanie Armstrong
21. Marcus Wells
22. Bill Wells
23. Steve Wells
24. Chuck Wells
25. Stephanie Schnaidt
26. Deacon Dr Vaagen
27. Vincent Shaw
28. Richard & Brenda White Bear
29. Madonna & Roy Azure
30. Justine Two Lodge
31. Jan Two Shields
32. Bishop Michael Cole
33. Terry & Gayleen Yellowfat
34. Delilah & Don Yellowbird
35. Lujuanna LaCroix
36. Reverend Duane & Bonnie Fox
37. Johanna White Bear
38. Kenny & Florestine Dunn
39. Mary Green & grandsons Christian, Marcus, Derek Diaz
40. Natalie Wells
41. Alvin Wells Jr
42. Catherine Howard
43. Dr Michael Jones
44. Spirit Lake Tribal Health Nursing Collette Lyman, Shania Cottier, Anna Belgarde, Shayna Ross (CHR)
45. HIA Hospice Teal
46. Fr John Cavanaugh
47. Gary & Judy Geske
48. Bob & Euretta McKay
49. Bob Charboneau
50. Lonna Jackson Street
51. Celeste Herman
52. Bud & Renita Shaw
53. Dr Monica Mayer
54. Marva Tollefson
55. Heather McKay
56. Myra Pearson
57. Austin Gillette
58. Wadsworth Family