Cassandra Leigh McDonald

Cassandra “Cassie” Leigh McDonald, beloved Daughter, Mother, and Friend, passed away peacefully on Friday, November 10^th, 2023 at Sanford Hospital in Fargo, ND. She was surrounded in love by her Mom Evie, Sisters Angela, Heather and Nellie, Brother Damian; Aunts Swadeau, Molly, Aggie, Nola, Grandma Dinah, and Father Kevin Lorsung.

Cassie was born on July 16th, 1988 to Evie McDonald in Devils Lake, ND. She grew up on the Spirit Lake Reservation and spent time living in Bismarck and Dickinson, ND as well. Cassie received her GED in 2008 and also obtained her AA in Liberal Arts in 2022 from Cankdeska Cikana Community College. She worked for Sioux Manufacturing, Spirit Lake Head Start and various positions in the Lake Region Area.

On June 27, 2008, Cassie welcomed her first son, Daylen George Long Feather. In 2013, she met the love of her life, Chance Sailor and together they welcomed Casen Matthew Sailor and Easten Roy Sailor. She loved her three sons with her whole heart and soul.

Cassie was a loving, kind, intelligent, well-mannered, feisty and fun-loving individual. She would help anyone in need, and was very easy to talk to. Everyone and anyone could come to her and she’d be the listening ear with no judgement. She discovered her ability to do landscaping and also enjoyed doing craft activities with her Cricut she received for Christmas.

Cassie was a strong individual. She had many hardships in her short life. Even with the struggles she faced, she never stopped being her wonderful self, always full of love, full of life and having a smile on her face.

Cassie is survived by those who loved her more than she ever knew: Mother: Evie McDonald, Sons: Daylen, Casen, and Easten. Boyfriend Chance Sailor. Brothers: Damian Blackbird, Carlos Lopez III, Monte Herman, and Robin Herman; Sisters: Angela Belgarde, Heather Belgarde, Nelvette Lopez, Candy Herman Wretling, and Holly Herman Blacksmith; Nephews: Benjamin Sitting Crow and Honor Belgarde; Nieces: Alissandra “Ali” and Fayja Blackbird, Genevieve and Gwendolyn Lopez, Kamilla Allery. Aunts: Nola Lopez, Shirley Culbertson, Swadeau Halsey, Francine McDonald, Ardell Blueshield, Molly McDonald, Myra DuBois, Fran McDonald, Agnes Cavanaugh, Cecelia Cavanaugh, Denise Trottier Gage, Wanda White Trottier; Uncles: Carlos Lopez, Jr., Terry Halsey, Leander “Russ” McDonald, Clayton “Stubby” DuBois, Mervel McDonald, Conrad Cavanaugh, Wayne Trottier, Jr., David Trottier, and Darren Trottier; Grandfather Deacon Tony McDonald and Grandmother Dinah Aceveda.

Pallbearers: Harry Hopkins III, PJ Lohnes, Chauncey Hopkins, Russ McDonald, Jason Allery, Dalton Matheny.

Honorary Pallbearers: Laci Blackbull, Lisa Fox, Mariah Mindt, Amanda Mindt, Mary Mindt, Rayone “Cissy” Sherman, Kathy Ska, Molly Fox, Charris Thomas, Jody Touche, Viola Waanatan, Hattie Turcotte, Antoinette Sailor, Amanda Anderson, Baby Girl “Robby McKay”, Chelsea Betz, Cassandra Charboneau, Zachiery “Zach” Sittingcrow, Erica Charboneau, Belinda Murphy. Please know we tried to think of all of Cassie’s friends, if we forgot someone, we are sorry.

A very special thank you to Devils Lake Guardian Flight, Rev. Anthony Cruz and Rev. Kevin Lorsung.

Music by: Neal Hale, Cankdeska Cikana Community College Drum Group and Lake Region Singers. All are welcome to come and share music in memory of Cassie.

Cassie is united with loved ones gone before her: Father: Robert “Bob” Herman, Sr.; Grandmothers: Sandra McDonald, Kathleen Cavanaugh, Adeline White Thunder McDonald Trottier, Vina McDonald, Flora Culbertson; Grandfathers: Richard Jetty, George McDonald, Demus McDonald, Tim Cavanaugh, Wayne Trottier, Sr., William Herman and Pierre Culbertson; Uncles: Joe Herman and Dan Herman; Aunts: Deanna Trottier, Claudette Cottenwood, Adeline Cavanaugh, Marceline St. Pierre, Estelle Hennager, Patty Shaw, and Linda Herman; Brothers: Robert Herman, Jr. and William Herman; Nephew: Galvin Demus White Thunder-Belgarde; Godparents: Mike McDonald and Patty Jackson Robertson. Step-dad: Donnie Belgarde, Sr.; Special Poppa to her children, Dewey Blackbird, Best Friends: Lindsey White and DaNielle Lawrence.

Memorial Services for Cassie will be on Tuesday, November 14, 2023 at Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake, ND beginning at 4:00 with a Prayer Service at 7:00PM.  Funeral will be on Wednesday, November 15, 2023 beginning at 9:00 am with the Mass at 11:00 am at Seven Dolors Catholic Church in Fort Totten, ND. Burial will be at St. Jerome’s Cemetery in Crow Hill. Feed and giveaway will be held at Cankdeska Cikana Community College after the burial.

“Let your children be as so many flowers, borrowed from God. If the flowers die or wither, thank God for a summer loan of them.”