Jeffrey Alan DeCoteau - White Buffalo Man "Wapi mush hode bezihke" was born in Belcourt, ND on November 11,1967 to Loretta Morin and Robert DeCoteau. He grew up in rural Dunseith. When Jeff was a kid he was an alter server at St. Mary's Catholic Church for 8 years.

Jeff graduated from Dunseith High School and went on to attending UND in Grand Forks where he earned his 2 year degree. He then joined the U.S Airforce in 1987 and served until 1991. He was honorably discharged with the rank of E4. He started working construction and learned the trade as a bridge builder and that was his career for the last 35 years. He was currently working with Industrial Builders when he was diagnosed and continued to work until he could no longer.

In 1999 Jeff met Margaret and he made his home in St. Michael, ND. Jeff enjoyed his date nights with Margo every week, he enjoyed playing pinocle and poker. He especially enjoyed going to the casinos, spending time with his kids and grandkids. He took trips to Rapid City, SD to spend time with the Henderson's and going to watch his favorite teams play, the Minnesota Vikings and the Minnesota Twins.

Survived by:

Wife: Margaret Azure-DeCoteau

Father: Robert (Andrea) DeCoteau (Dunseith, ND)

Sisters: Valerie Peltier (Dunseith, ND) Deanna (Stuart)Leonard (Dunseith, ND) Celeste Hardesty(Fargo, ND)

Brother: Mark DeCoteau

Sisters-In-Law: Barbara, Clara, Rose and Marla Azure

Brothers-In-Law: Blake Azure, Joe (Mary) Azure

Aunts and Uncles: Marilyn and Tim Henderson, Ramona Poitra, Marie LaFontain, Wally and Roberta DeCoteau, Wanda DeCoteau, Claudia Delong, Linda DeCoteau

Children: Erik, Steve, Alyssa and Zane

Grandchildren: Brayden,Braylee,Carter,Marley,Maxwell,Quinley,Keplin,Addy,Lucas,Drederick,Erin,Cedar,Trayci(Jason),Morrissa, Nevaeh, BrookeLynn, JaeLynn, Amelia and Alijah.

Great-Grandkids: Kasten, Jace and Jaysley

God Child: Kalen Azure

Many nieces & nephews on Azure & DeCoteau side.

Casket Bearers:

Andrew Azure, Keith Azure, Jason Lenoir, Brooks Henderson, Blake Henderson, Kalen Azure, Garry Bob Counts, Steven Cavanaugh.

Honorary: Danielle Bartlett, DawnAND Ben Weiss, Mitch, Dixie Omen and family, Erron Counts, Joseph Jackson(Jojo), Marcus Joramo, Morris and Daisy Azure, Brandon Langstaff, Ryan and Annisyn Cavanaugh, Tyler and Tia Jetty, Ross Greene, Larse Azure, Justin and Joy Azure, JW Azure, Bethany Brown, Sheryl Fredericks, Shieleen & Karaleigh Omen, Santos Girls, Mike Sargeant, Donny and Alicia Lewis, Preston and Wendy Danks, Carla and Bert Parisien, Connie and Dan Eman, Marissa Goodvoice, Lisa Jeanotte, Nick and Sandy Joramo, Eddie Peltier, Brian Peltier, Alan Poitra, Mark Poitra, Blair, Kylie Jo, Duran and Tyler Parisien, Randilynn Azure, Iris DeCoteau, Lisa Jeanotte, Chazz Reeves, Eileen Jackson, Jordan Trottier, Cody Belgarde, Denise Mikkelson, Robin and Paul Lawrence & Industrial Builders Crew.

Special Thanks: Danielle Bartlett for her hospitality this past year, Spirit Lake Health Center-Benefits Department, Spirit Lake Dakota Transportation, Spirit Lake Ambulance, University of Minnesota Cancer Center, Altru, Grand Forks- Interventional Radiology Department.

Preceded in death by: Mother Loretta Morin, and brother Robert "Terry DeCoteau" Louis DeCoteau, Vincent DeCoteau, Phyllis Brien, Gregg DeCoteau, Steven DeCoteau, Glenn DeCoteau, Marla DeCoteau, Gladys Poitra, Carol Grant, Troy DeCoteau, Paul Morin, Louise Langston, Paulette Grundstrom, Greg Morin, Barbara Koehler.

There will be visitation at St. Michael's Catholic Church, St. Michael, ND on Friday, July 31, 2026 beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Prayer Service and Time of Sharing at 7:00 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Saturday, August 1, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. also at St. Michael's Catholic Church. Military Honors to follow the Mass.