Eva Mary Peltier Dauphinais, 96, passed away at Eventide Heartland Care in Devils Lake, North Dakota surrounded by her family on June 23, 2026. Services will be held at Seven Dolors Catholic Church, Fort Totten, ND. The funeral procession will begin at 3:00 pm July 2, 2026 at the old Walmart parking lot. Viewing will be from 3:30pm to 7:00 pm with Rosary at 7:00 pm. Soup and Frybread will follow at the Fort Totten Rec Center. Funeral services will be at Seven Dolors Catholic Church with Mass at 10:00 am with a meal following at the Fort Totten Rec Center on July 3, 2026.

Eva was born on December 1, 1929 (3rd child of 13) in Fort Totten, North Dakota to Fredrick and Cecilia (Lenoir) Peltier. She grew up with fond memories on family land at Graham’s Island. Like most natives of that era, she was removed from her family and forced to endure Indian boarding school at Fort Totten Cavalry Square. She lamented that as the reason she could understand but not speak her real language. She married George Ben Peltier on November 8, 1949. Together they worked many fall harvests in the Red River Valley picking potatoes (“backbreaking & dirty”) and during the relocation period, they were sent to Gary, Indiana for work until she suffered a traumatic incident she often recounted to the family. In the late 50’s, they bought a 2 room log cabin (the old house) on the outskirts of Sully’s Hill Park in Fort Totten. She had 9 children with George, one dying during childbirth but always included in her (now our) enumerations. She was widowed in March of 1968 when George died in an auto accident.

In 1970, she married Pete Dauphinais and his 10 children, forming a humongous Brady Bunch, which she loved to brag about. Their marriage was not without problems and during one break, she found employment with her friend Lizzy at a local hotel as house keepers. She loved that job and was extremely proud of her independence, work and friendship. The shared love between her and Pete reunited and kept them together until his passing from cancer in 1995.

She lived alone thereafter, content with her re-found independence and the constant visitations of her humongous family. She loved to hear all the gossip from her girls (some of the boys also) but would be adamant she never gossiped herself. She loved telling her stories and could tease with the ‘best of them’. Her most prolific hobby was cleaning & rearranging her one-bedroom apartment. It was devastating when assisted living placement became necessary.

Eva is survived by her brothers; Fredrick (Bernice) Peltier, Clifford (Mary) Peltier, both of Belcourt ND. Her Children; Clayton (Debbie) Peltier, Raymond (Linda) Peltier, Douglas Peltier, Debann Peltier-Waun Vetter, Lisa (Craig) Engh, Peter Dauphinais Jr, Dean (Sonta) Dauphinais, James Dauphinais, Hyllis (Nancy) Dauphinais, Velma Lambert, Dorthea (Chico) Olson, Darlene (Bunny) Longie, Laure Dauphinais and Angela (Jesse) Cavanaugh. Eva has a combined total of 77 Grandchildren, 211 Great Grandchildren and 134 Great-Great Grandchildren.

Eva was preceded in death by her parents, Fred & Cecelia Peltier, Husband George Peltier, Husband Peter Dauphinais Sr., Children; Carl Peltier, Cedrick Peltier, Allan Peltier, Daniel Peltier and Jack Dauphinais. Brothers: John Peltier, Gilbert Peltier, Joseph Peltier Sr., Francis Peltier and Paul Peltier. Sisters: Mary McNamara, Olive Grant, Margaret Allen, Ramona Bull, and Jeanette McKay

Active casket bearers are Eva’s Grandchildren; Josh Burdick, Fred Burdick, Anthony Peltier, Orrin Peltier, Robert Engh and Justin Engh.

Honorary bearers are all the staff at Eventide Heartland Care, as well as, all her friends and relatives.