Akicita Hoksina

(Soldier Boy)

Ivan Lee Lovejoy Sr.

Ivan Lee Lovejoy Sr., "Akicita Hoksina" (Soldier Boy), the name was given to Ivan by his Great Unkana Joseph Court, a World War I Veteran, of the Spirit Lake Nation passed away on Friday, September 11, 2026 at his home where he was so lovingly cared for through the years. He was 60 years old. 

The Wake for Ivan is Monday, September 21, 2026 at the Fort Totten Wellness Center beginning at 4:00 p.m. with a Rosary, Scripture Service and Time of Remembrance at 7:00 p.m. The procession to Fort Totten will leave at 3:00 p.m. on Monday from the City Plaza, Devils Lake. Funeral Services will be on Tuesday, September 22nd at 10:00 a.m. also at the Fort Totten Wellness Center with Reverend Paul Schuster officiating. Ivan will be laid to rest in St. Jerome's Cemetery.

Ivan Lee was born on July 15, 1966 in Devils Lake, ND the son of Francis Lovejoy and Catherine Court. He went to the Fort Totten Public School up until he attended Bismarck High School from 1985-1986. From 19991-92, he attended United Tribes Technical College, majoring in Criminal Justice.

Ivan met his wife on the Pow-Wow Circuit in Montana in 1995, Ivan married his pow-wow snag on June 26th, 2000 at the Old Fort Totten Pow-Wow grounds. They were the proud parents of 4 handsome sons and 11 precious grandchildren. Ivan was so amazed and proud of his grandchildren. He always cherished them.

Ivan worked at the Civic Center in Bismarck for a couple years, then in 1993 he came home to Spirit Lake and brought his family back home. He then worked with Security in the summertime at Dakotah Sioux Casino in St. Michael and Tokio, until the casino moved to the new Spirit Lake Casino in 2000. Ivan then went to work for the Commodity Program from 2000 to 2016. He worked for the Fort Totten Wellness Center from 2017-2020, then at Proz End of the Line from 2001-2003 as a prep cook.

Ivan always had a smile, a wave or handshake. He loved to tease everyone, have good visits, laughs, good stories to tell, especially about his family trips and pow-wow trips. He really loved to sing and dance when going to pow-wows in the summertime. He would try his best to help out family when they needed a singer, driver or announcer for their events.

Ivan served on the Fort Totten Tribal School Board for 16 years and 6 years with the North Dakota State School Board District 30 at Four Winds Community School in Fort Totten. Also served as President of the 4 State Education Board.

Ivan was the #1 fan of the Four Winds Basketball team and his #1 NFL team was the Chicago Bears.

Ivan is survived by his wife of 39 years Lynette (Larrabee) Lovejoy and his sons Quentin (deceased), Ivan Lovejoy Jr. (Dana), Jay (Mikey) Lovejoy and Charles Lovejoy; his grandchildren Jayden, Kaylee, Josiah, Harper, Hanna, Lynette “Baby Nettie”, Ivan III “Baby Ivan”, Keelye, Kailyn-all his little royal loves. He cherished his sons and grandbabies, and his mother Catherine “Kunsi"” Howard; his brother Ralph Peoples (Frannie);

Ivan was reunited with his father Frank Lovejoy, son Quentin Lovejoy, grandson Keelye, grandparents Joseph and Mary (Wood) Court, his brothers John Leftbear, Melvin Peoples, nephew Jaelen Peoples, uncles and aunts Ben Lovejoy, Floyd McKay, Doreen McKay, godparents Lawrence and Florence Joshua, John and Glady Peltier, Sylvia Brownshield, sisters Flo Peltier, Augie Peltier, Lois Peltier, brothers Larry, Peltier, Fred Peltier, Eddie Peltier.

Active Pallbearers: Audie Littlewind, Daryl “Crew” ThreeIrons, Derrick Omi, Denny Smith, Justin Yankton, Wambdi Gill, Kevin Dauphinais, Hyllis Dauphinais, Daryl Bearstail, Rick Smith.

Honorary Pallbearers: Doug and Sarah Yankton, Joanna Yankton and family, Jacob Yankton and family, Jore Thomas and family, Jeanni and Dolly Cavanaugh, Daryl and Kim ThreeIrons and family, Angela Dauphinais and family, ReNa and John Lohnes and family, Mary Greene and family, Cynthia and Saige Thomas, Jerry and Nancy Robertson and family, Duane Smith, Riley Smith, Larse Azure, Shelden and Bridgett Greywater, Cora Whiteman and family, Karen Jackson and family, Darcy and Cory Delorme and family, Ryann and Wayne Brady and family, Randy and Kathy Silk and family, Marissa GoodVoice, grandson Jayden and Jiann and family, Jared GoodVoice and family, Jolene GoodVoice and family, Rayanne and Mike Dunn and family, Dale Larrabee, Michelle and Wesley Larrabee and family, Lida Bearstail and family, Terry Fiddler and family, Grace Adams and family, Patrice and Tony Adams and family, Darien Trottier, Troy Lovejoy, Myra McDonald and family, Tony McDonald family, Josie and Clarice Lawrence, Valerie and Lawrence Bull, Roger Yankton and family, Gerald Lovejoy and family, CL GoodNature and family, Gail Lovejoy and family, Jasten Bearstail and family, Joe Bearstail, Jay Bearstail, Jerry Jenson, Solomon and Sharon Peltier, Gilbert Peltier and family, Gerred Red Eagle and family, Selena Horse and family, Ila McKay, Margaret Gates and family, Kim Walking Hawk and family, Travis Mertens and family, Joe Mertens and family, Sable Coffee and family, Claudia Adams, Jayme Lovejoy, Thomas Red Bird and family, Kevin Finley and family, Val Finley and family, AJ and Stacy Benz, Christina Anderson, Jeff Olson and family, Lonna and Richard Street, Susie Abraham and family, Sue Myrum and family, Megan Charboneau and family, Holly Smith, Dr. Jeffery Vaagen, Clarise Brownshield and family, Debbie and Edward LaVallie, Rhonda Tallman, BJ and Melissa Brady, Harriet GoodIron, Delreen Robertson and family, Deon Jackson and family, Brian Thunder and family, Dave Lovejoy and family, brother Ralph Peoples and family, Luella Adams, Justin Fox and family, Hunter LaFrombois, Colette Lyman and family, Margo Azure and family, Clara Azure and family, Barbara Azure and family, Neddie and Verlin Ireland and family, Denise and Mike One Star, Chaske LaBlanc, Diane and Gabe Desrosiers and family, Jerome Coughlin and family, Paul and Robin Lawrence, Kathy and Randy Silk, Delbert Larrabee and Rain, Peyton and Heather Etcitty, Eldon and Tristin Etcitty, John and Lori Young and family, Pam Baker, Justin Young and family, Kenny Baker Jr., KJ Greywater and family, Birdie Greyeyes and girls, Helena Littleghost and family, Jason and Collette Thomspon, Bob and Frieda Charboneau, Rebecca Diaz and family, Damen and Valerie Brady and family, Daniel and Ruby Lohnes, Aaron Greene and family, Donovon Robertson and family, Darlene and Ann Wadsworth and family, Gumby Lawrence and family, Ray Cavanaugh and family, Jonathan WindyBoy and family, Mike Lufkins and family, Severt Youngbear and family and Drum Group, Merle Boton and family, Jesse and Teresa Allery and family, Cassie Allery, Jason Allery and family, Jake Allery and family, Julie and Matt American Horse, Shelly and grandson Josiah American Horse, Cherlyn Shifflett and family, Myra Pearson and family, Darwin Brown and family, Marie Martin and family, the Leftbear family, the Redroad family, Edith Adams and family, Edith Peltier and family, Gerard Thompson and family, Terry “Punchy” Halsey, Russell and Francine McDonald, Billy Tomahawk and family, Florene Harrison and family, Fort Peck Sioux Drum Group, BIA Law Enforcement, Spirit Lake Ambulance, Four Winds Basketball Teams: 2006-2026, Four Winds High School Staff, Tate Topa Elementary School Staff, Tribal School Board, Fort Totten District School Board, All members of Akicita Post #6547, Team Members of Red Birds Softball Team, Spirit Lake Elderly,