Evangeline M. White

Evangeline M. (Longie) White (Tipsina aku Win, Brings back the Turnips Woman), 85 of Fort Totten, ND entered her heavenly home on September 7, 2022, with her daughters and extended family by her side at the St. Alexis Hospital in Devils Lake, ND. She was born December 11, 1936 to William N. Longie and Jeanette (Hunt) Goodhouse.

Services will take place on Tuesday, September 13, 2022. Family and extended family will spend time with her at the Gilbertson Funeral Home in Devils Lake from 9:00-10:00 am. Procession from City Plaza will leave at 10:00 am to St. Michael Wellness Center in St. Michael, ND.  Fr. Schuster will celebrate the Mass and burial will be in St. Michael Cemetery.  A feed and giveaway will follow the services at the St. Michael Wellness Center.

Active Pallbearers will be her grandsons Chad Driver Sr. DJ Iceman, Alex Wells, Michael Greybear, Richard Jackson Jr., Dana Jackson, Teddy Fox, Jody White Sr., great grandsons CJ Driver and Ethan Byington.

Honorary Pall Bearers will be her Special Nieces Jeannie Rolland and Wanda Trottier, Granddaughters Terese, Lana, and Neveah Rolland, the Hall family (Sioux Valley, MB), the Pratt (Sioux Valley, MB), the Tacan family (Sioux Valley, MB), the Hotain family (Sioux Valley, MB), Donna Pratt (Sioux Valley, MB), ReNae Hart, Monica Rosal, Roberta Littleghost, Clarice and Jose Lawrence, Kim Elkins, Marshall DeMarce (Iowa), ReNa Lohnes, Lonna and Richard Street, Debbie Cavanaugh, Robin and Paul Lawrence, (Deacon) Tony McDonald and children; goddaughters Swadeau McDonald Halsey and Amy Longie; godsons, Fred Jr. and Woodrow Longie, Mikey Pratt (Sisseton, SD), Phillip “Skip” Longie Sr., Jim and Bonnie Clairmont (Minnesota), Sandy Brown (Minnesota), Mary Trottier, Ann Wadsworth, Marty and Laurie Davis, Tracy “Buzz” Chase, Teresa Hill, Vicki Hill, Melody Hill, the Heartland Care team Nathan Trottier, Traci Craft, Tanya Schneider, Penny Haugen, Debbie Lawrence; nurses, Michelle Close, Rebbcca Peters, Megan Prien, Heather Hach, Barb Haugland, Denise Yantes, Anna Belgarde; C.N.A.S, Susan Nelson, Julia Radar, Rachel Eback, Denae Trottier, Hunter Eback, Terri Black, Wilber Medicine Stone; Activities, Ashley Ironhawk, Peggy Linbitz, Vicki Smith, Stetson, and Doreen G; Native American Residence, Elizabeth Lawrence, Mary Garfield, Eva Dauphinais, Ramona Larson-Smyth, Cora Iceman, Myron Redday, and Tyson Olson. We apologize if we forgot anyone, it is not intentional.

Evan and Elmer were united in marriage on February 26, 1957 and renewed their vows February 14, 1996. She was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. She traveled to many events, rodeos, and powwows throughout Indian County to be by her husband’s side as he announced. Evan enjoyed teaching and helping her children and grandchildren make their regalia and proudly watched them dance. Later in life she was blessed to be able to watch her great-grandchildren dance at powwows.

Evan and Elmer enjoyed bowling and were in bowling leagues in their younger years. She was an avid reader and was always reading novels. If she wasn’t reading, she was playing Solitaire. On Sunday mornings she would attend church services via the television. Evan also enjoyed watching the Harry Potter Series, Game Show Network, the Cooking Channel, Big Bang Theory, Two Broke Girls, and numerous western shows.

Her early education was at St. Michael’s Mission in St. Michael, ND and Crow Creek School in Fort Thompson, SD. She earned her GED from Little Hoop Community College, Fort Totten, ND in June 1981. She received an Associate of Arts/Bilingual Ed. from Little Hoop Community College, Fort Totten, ND in May 1985. She earned a B.S. Elem. Ed./Bilingual Ed. from University of North Dakota, Grand Forks in May 1987.

Evan received many Honors and Awards while working on her degrees. She was a member of Pi Lambda Theta while attending the University of North Dakota. She received an Award for Outstanding Educator in 1989. Evan was on the Presidents Roll of Honor at the University of North Dakota in December 1985. She was and always will be a positive role model for her children and grandchildren, who are all very proud, blessed, and honored to have her in their lives. 

She had the love for working with children and dedicated her time and effort by going into teaching. Evan worked at the Fort Totten Elementary School from September 1973 to May 1975. She taught Early Childhood Education/Preschool in Fort Totten, ND from August 1975 to May 1983. She attended many Educational Conferences, Workshops, and in-service training throughout the years.

                She is survived by her children: Denice, Marsha, Janet, Melissa (Bentley), Lorraine, and Bonnie (John), all of Fort Totten, ND; sisters Francis Liberty, Yvonne Longie, and Helena Littleghost; sister-in-law’s Jeri Longie and Florestine (Ken) Dunn; 65 Grandchildren, 179 Great Grandchildren and 12 Great-Great Grandchildren, many nieces, and nephews.

Evan is united in the Spirit World with her husband Elmer White Sr., whom she missed dearly; parents, William N. Longie and Jeanette Goodhouse; stepfather, Louis Goodhouse; sons, Elmer White Jr., Valentino White Sr. and infant son, Patrick Dean; grandchildren, Patrick Dean White, Lolita White, Dion Iceman, Jordan Iceman, Maria Fox, Whitney White, Samantha Fox, Valentino White Jr.; 7 great grandchildren; 2 great-great grandchildren; brothers, George, Tim, David, Fred, Ricky, and Samuel; sister, Bernice; special aunt Maggie Moxness.

A Special Thank you to Spirit Lake Ambulance, Eventide Heartland Care Center Staff, Carrington Nursing Home Staff, Spirit Lake Tribe, Spirit Lake Elderly, Gilbertson Funeral Home and all who shared kind comforting words with the family.

All drum groups are welcome to come and share their songs.