Lillie Owlboy of rural St. Michael, ND began her journey to the Spirit World on Thursday, January 29, 2026 at Sanford Medical Center, Fargo, ND. She was 89 years old.

PLEASE NOTE: PROCESSION AT 3:00 P.M. ON SUNDAY.  

The visitation time on Sunday, February 8, 2026 at St. Michael's Catholic Church is for immediate family only. The procession to St. Michael will leave at 3:00 p.m. on Sunday from the Gilbertson Funeral Home.

Public Services are on Monday only. Funeral Services will be at the church on Monday, February 9, 2026 at 10:00 a.m. with Reverend John Cavanaugh celebrating the Mass.

Lillie was born on April 9, 1936, the daughter of Mary Jane Grandbois/Thompson and Peter Belgarde Sr. in Poplar, Montana.

Lillie was united in marriage to her late husband, Francis Owlboy Sr. (DeeDee Boy), on November 3, 1960. Together, Lillie and Francis shared a wonderful life, working side by side and raising their children and grandchildren, along with their horses and chickens. She loved supporting Francis in his horseracing. Their life together was built on love, hard work, and family.

Lillie attended and graduated from Flandreau Indian Vocational High School in 1957. She continued her education at Lake Region Junior College and later at the University of North Dakota, always valuing learning and personal growth.

Lillie was employed with Indian Health Services for many years, holding various positions within the department. She truly enjoyed working in the health field and remained dedicated to her community by serving on local Health Boards. At the time of her passing, Lillie was employed with Spirit Lake Casino & Resort, where she worked in the Food & Beverage Department and most recently as the telephone operator. If you called the Spirit Lake Casino, you knew it was Lillie’s friendly voice answering the phone and guiding you where you needed to go. Her work ethic was unmatched—Lillie worked nearly her entire life, leaving behind a legacy of dedication, responsibility, and strength that will live on through those she taught by example.

Lillie cherished family and friends above all else. Her home was always full of people and was considered “home” to anyone who knew her. She was a licensed foster care parent for many years and lovingly cared for numerous children throughout her life. Lillie also raised several of her grandchildren as her own, including Sissy, Samantha, Kayonna, and Gary, surrounding them with love, guidance, and stability.

Lillie was a respected elder of the Spirit Lake Tribe and took great pride in participating in community activities in her younger years. Lillie was very fluent in her first language- Dakota. She never missed Elders Day Out, a time she truly cherished. In her younger years, Lillie loved attending bingo, and when she won, she made sure her grandchildren benefited—bringing home pizza, fries, pop, and chips for what she fondly called their “lunch before bed.” Lillie loved gardening, planting flowers, and being outside as much as possible.

Some might have described Lillie as stubborn or ornery, but those who knew her best understood that she spoke with wisdom and purpose—and we listened, because she usually knew best. If the food at the buffet wasn’t good, the cooks were sure to hear about it. If she saw something on Facebook she didn’t agree with, she spoke her truth. And if she transferred a phone call to someone’s extension and they didn’t answer, she made a note of it. Lillie paid attention, held people accountable, and wasn’t afraid to say what needed to be said.

She also loved the simple joys of life—going on dinner dates, watching late-night television, and taking trips to Walmart with Sam. These moments, big and small, are the memories that will be cherished and remembered by all who loved her.

Lillie is survived by her children:

Daughters: Cheryl Belgarde, Bonnie Owlboy, Chepa Owlboy, Lisa Owlboy, Sissy (Marie) Owlboy, Samantha Owlboy

Sons: Peter Owlboy Sr, Francis Owlboy Jr, Lonnie Owlboy, Lormen Owlboy Sr, Elton Demarce, Gary Owlboy, and Al Laducer

Grandchildren- Lynn Azure, Amy Belgarde, Alyssa Shaw, Francis Azure Jr, Allene Belgarde, Erica Philbrick, Wesley Birdhorse, Kelli Birdhorse, Lyndon Greybear, Renita Greybear, Mandi Owlboy, Leona Owlboy, Bethany Owlboy, Peter Owlboy Jr, Sarah Owlboy, Jared Owlboy, Traci Owlboy, Isaac Owlboy, Sydni Owlboy, Sam Bull, Lormen Owlboy Jr, Niketa Owlboy, Mitchell Owlboy, Loren Owlboy, Alvin Owlboy Jr, Danielle Owlboy, Leslie Ann Fassett, Virginia Fassett, Glenna Rue, Nevada Rue, Adam Rue,  Thomas Owlboy, Kayla Owlboy

Great Grandchildren- Avery, DJ, Dru, Shawn, Cazziah, Chandra, Makayla, Curtis III, Naoma, Amara, Adan, Demani, Talayna, Jaydean, Darren, Tori, Theresa, Taylor, Tova, Gideon, Glenda, Malaina, Juliyah, Lariah, Jenaya, Alaxander, Vera, Brayden, Toni, Luke, Adam, Marquel, Camden, Dominic, Star, Ellie Jo, Kylen, Ariya, Phenix, Tyree, Khalia, Sonni, Hunter, Lormen III, Dakota, Victor, Naya, Stormy, Brylee, Kori, Aleeyah, Alvin III, Laylah, Nicole, Anastasia, Allen, Shiliegh, Richard Jr, Lillyann, Isabelle, Deangelo, Kayonna, Jayden, Nalayna, Nariyah, Daquan, Dustin, Diamond, Kaylynn, Daylon, Princeton, Handsome, Wesley Jr, Weston, Mariah, Kyler, Khaloni, Kaylynnzah, Merlyn, Kellen, Shilo Jr, Kissandra, Cyris, Wakinyanhota, Wikinya, Mato, and Jacoby

Great-Great Grandchildren- Mercy, Adonis, Cory Jr, Todd, Orion, Axel, and Collette. 

Siblings- Imogene Belgarde, Arlene Belgarde, Joanne Belgarde, Audrey Belgarde, Sheila Thompson, Phillip (Skip) Longie, Alfred Thompson, and Larry Belgarde

Lillie was preceded in death by her husband, Francis Owlboy Sr.; her children, Monica Owlboy and Alvin Owlboy Sr.; her grandchildren, Kami Birdhorse, Melinda Whiteman, Delia Whiteman, Brittany Whiteshield, and Felicia Owlboy; her siblings, Marie, Luella Thompson, Donald Belgarde, Michael Belgarde, Peter Belgarde Jr., Francis Brown, Anna Mae Belgarde, Shirley Belgarde, Beatrice Joramo, Theresa Belgarde, Joyce Greene, and Leander Belgarde; her sister in law Herminia Owlboy-Belgarde, her parents, Mary Jane and Peter Belgarde Sr.; and her stepfather, Michael Thompson.

Active Pallbearers: Francis Azure Jr, Gary Owlboy, Elton Demarce, Peter Owlboy Sr, Peter Owlboy Jr, Jared Owlboy, Isaac Owlboy, Devon Azure Sr, Lormen Owlboy Jr, Mitchell Owlboy, Alvin Owlboy Jr, Adam Rue, Daquan Keo, Dustin, Avery Azure, and Devon Azure Jr.

Honorary Pallbearers: Rodney Aguilar, Mark Littleghost, Ronald Fisher, Tyrone Artis, Michael Carr, Dylan Wee, Peggy Cavanaugh, Paul Matheny Sr and family, Mark Matheny Sr and Family, Leftbear boys, Spirit Lake EMTs, Michelle Thomas and Family, Tamara Vasquez and family, Kris White, Darcie Jackson-Delorme and Family, Sandy Joramo and Family, Samantha Joramo and Family, Paulette Driver and Family, Larris Delorme Jr, Inez Belgarde, Lois Leben and Family, Chris Geske, Kenneth Longie and Family, Terry Belgarde, Duane Jackson and Family, Jeanetta Jackson and family, Jeff Cavanaugh, Melissa Cavanaugh, Kevin "Cowboy" Birkland, our dear friends at J&S Vending, and all her many coworkers at Spirit Lake Casino & Resort, and anybody we forgot to mention as it was not intentional. Lillie had touched a lot of hearts and if you were a part of her life, thank you from the bottom of our hearts.