Benjamin P. Barragan

Benjamin Patrick Barragan, 29 of St. Michael, ND passed away on Thursday, June 13, 2024 in Los Angelus, California. 

There will be a funeral service for Benjamin on Saturday, July 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Michael's Wellness Center with Reverend Larry Thiele officiating. Visitation will start at 8:30 a.m. with a Rosary at 9:00 a.m. led by Tony McDonald. Burial will be in the family cemetery, rural St. Michael. All Drummers and Singers are welcome to share their songs in memory of Benjamin. 

Benjamin Barragan, died on June 13, 2024, in California.

Born July 3, 1994, in Sunnyvale, California to Anita Cavanaugh and Gustavo Barragan. The family moved back to North Dakota where Benjamin was raised, educated, worked, and lived for the past 29 years of his short life.

He graduated from Minnewaukan High School and was active in all sports and activities which continued into his adult life. He ran a marathon race in Fargo two years ago of which he was proud for placing 28 out of 300. His pursuit of higher education at Cankdeska Cikana Community College continued until his death as well as gainful employment to support his growing family. Benjamin’s life experience as a child included participation in cultural and spiritual activities, travelling with his family to treaty council meetings, interacting with many Tribal and Spiritual Leaders, many of whom have passed on. He was aware of his ancestral lineage from his maternal and paternal families both richly steeped in centuries of Indigenous culture, spirituality, and identity. He grew up in a respectful family (Cavanaugh, Sherman, and Barragan) left with choices to map a future for himself.

Benjamin had a profound effect on family, friends, relatives, and anyone he encountered in life with his beautiful smile, laughter, glowing aura, and kindness. He had a passion for life, energy, and determination to raise his children, confront his challenges, and move forward. His sudden departure leaves a void in our hearts and our family, friends, and relatives who have many memories of him. We need to cherish those good memories of Benjamin. He might chide you and say “Remember me with smiles and laughter, for that is how I will remember you all. If you only remember me with tears, then do not remember me at all.” Benjamin was raised with respect, family values, spiritual and cultural knowledge to sustain his safe transition from the physical world to the spirit world.

Benjamin is with his grandfathers; Benjamin and Juan; grandmothers; Stella and Grace; uncles; Rodney and Joseph; son; Benjamin P. Barragan and many relatives.

We know he is grieving and saddened but he understands and hears out prayers and thoughts for his well-being through our faith and belief in the Creator as we mourn.

He is survived by his five loving children; Rosaline, Zalidgah, Cecilia, Ernesto, and Alejandro; brothers; Xavier and Rafeal; mother and father; aunts; Irma, Eva, Rosa, Gloria, Maria, Rita, Guadalupe, Wicahpi, and Astel; uncles; Raul, Juan, Patrick, and Justin.

Pall Bearers: Callen Sherman, Shaquille Dubois, Phillip Lohnes, Joshua Lohnes, Joseph Robertson, Devin Smith, and Richard Brownshield.

Honorary Pall Bearers: Shana Lohnes, Ska Dubois, Jonathan Yankton, Destry Gardner, Trudy Iceman, Almara Iceman, Rusty Iceman, Jeannie Cavanaugh, Kalsey McKay, Bernadine Littlewind, Clayton Dubois, Myra Dubois, P.J. Lohnes, Denise Fredricks, Anne Wadsworth, Rena SpottedBird, Vernon SpottedBird, Tiffany Littleghost, Eliabeth Walker, Thomas Robertson, Karen Jackson, Shana Sherman, Mildred Hill, Vicky Hill, Melanie Hill, Carmen Abraham and family, Vanessa Cavanaugh, Marcus Cooley, Fawn Sullivan, Selina Old Rock, Stacy Charboneau, Robert and Alfreda Charboneau, Mary and Derrick Ironhawk, Brenda Joshua, Wanda Thomas, Joyce Thomas, Cherise Robertson, Michelle Thomas, Sheyenne Bestos, Kena Bestos, Debbie Little, Marilyn Thompson, Justin Cavanaugh, Sioux Manufacturing and Company, Spirit Lake Tribe, Four Winds School and Staff, and others who provided their support in time of heed.

Special thank you to Stephanie at Gilbertson Funeral Home for helping to arrange transportation to bring our son home from California to North Dakota.