Ernest Gottbreht, age 65 of Dunseith, died Thursday at a Minot hospital. Funeral mass will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 am at the St. Michael’s the Archangel Catholic Church in Dunseith. Visitation will be Tuesday from 6:30pm until 9:00 pm at the Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Burial will be at the St. Louis Catholic Cemetery at Dunseith.

Ernest Joseph Gottbreht, was born in Rolette, ND on January 11,1946 to Lloyd Dale Gottbreht and Alma (Boucher) Gottbreht. Ernie grew up in Dunseith, attended Dunseith School where he graduated in 1965. After high school Ernie worked in Minneapolis until he enlisted in the Navy in January of 1966. Ernie served aboard the U.S.S. Wrangell as a Machinist Mate in Vietnam. Ernie received an honorable discharge in December of 1969. After Ernie returned home from the service he made Dunseith his home for the rest of his life. Ernie was trucker for a short while, he was very proud to tell stories about his trips hauling cargo to Alaska. Ernie always thought he and Joe Boguslawski set a record with the time it took them to go to Alaska and back. After trucking Ernie worked at Dales with his brother George until he opened Dales lounge in December of 1984. Ernie ran the lounge until his passing.

Ernie loved to fish and hunt, especially with family. Ernie had a great love for horse racing. Ernie always had an eye for good horses. Racehorses were his passion. There were many great horses that ran out of the Gottbreht stable. Ernie was an amazing story- teller, there was nothing like the way his face would light up when he told a hunting or fishing story! Ernie’s nephews and nieces looked up to him and he had too many friends to even begin counting. Ernie looked forward to playing pinochle with his friend at the lounge everyday. There was nothing Ernie loved more then his children and especially his two grandsons Adam and Connor.

Dad you will be deeply missed and will always be in our hearts. Love you Dad!

Ernie is survived by his sons Blake (Michelle) Gottbreht of Roll4 ND, Matthew Gottbreht of Phoenix, AZ, and daughter DeAnn (Patrick) O’Hara of Pembina ND; grandsons Adam Gottbreht and Connor O’Hara; Brothers George, Marco and Bill Gottbreht; Sisters E.J. Sugar, Sharron Shen, Evie Pilkington, and Lori Voeller; and many nieces and nephews.

Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home in Bottineau. Friends may sign the online register book at www.nerofuneralhome.net.

Leslie Ronald DeCoteau, 51, Dunseith passed away on Monday, March 28, 2011 at his home after a long illness. Visitation will begin on Friday, April 1, 2011 at 4p.m. at Peace Lutheran Church, Dunseith with a prayer service at 8p.m. with Reverend David Hayes. Funeral services were held on Saturday, April 2, 2011 at 10a.m. in Peace Lutheran Church, Dunseith, with Reverend John Hesford officiating. Burial was in St. Sylvan’s Episcopal Cemetery, rural Dunseith. Casket bearers were all of his brothers – Gary, Earl, Kenny, Raphael, LeRoy, Wesley, Gene and Terry DeCoteau. Honorary bearers were his sisters – Betty, Shirley, Lolly, Susie, Dean and Esther. Gift bearers were Robin Weston and Denise Panucci. Readers were Tammy Davis, Roberta St. Claire and Dawn DeCoteau. Laying of the Star Quilt – all of his children. Music provided by Troy DeCoteau, C. Joe Parisien and Josh DeCoteau, and the Drum Group – Wolf Creek. Leslie was born July 16, 1959, in Belcourt, ND, the son of Benjamin and Priscilla Rose “LaRose” (St. Claire) DeCoteau. He attended school at Dunseith Day and Wahpeton Indian School. He received his GED and a welding certificate at Mandan, ND. Leslie moved to Minneapolis after completing his education where he worked at Cinch NuLine making electronic components for Boeing, he also worked for various roofing and construction companies. He worked maintenance for Sky Dancer Casino and TM Housing. While in Minneapolis Les met Sherry Sanchez and they were married on November 14, 1992 in Dunseith, where they have made their home since. Les enjoyed riding horses, hunting, teasing and joking with the boys, and especially liked to have quality time with his children and grandchildren. Les is survived by his wife Sherry of Dunseith; daughters – Marsha of Manitoba, Canada; Rochelle St. Claire, Minneapolis, MN; Annie St. Claire, Grand Forks, Roberta St. Claire and LaRose DeCoteau, both of Dunseith; a son Leslie of Minneapolis, MN; 8 grandchildren; 6 god children – Garrett DeCoteau, Bobbie Jo Poitra, Shawna Belgarde, Shelby Beston, Marlena and Eric Thiefoe; 8 brothers – Gary & Elaine, Minneapolis, MN; Earl & Kim, Flandreau, SD; Kenny & Patti, Raphael & Carla, LeRoy & Wendy, Wesley & Ronette, Gene & Kim, Terry & Myrna, all of Dunseith; 6 sisters – Betty Swain, Shirley (James) Belgarde, Dean DeCoteau, all of Dunseith; Lolly (RIchie) Lindquist, Thief River Falls, MN, Esther (Javier) Perdomo, Minneapolis, MN; Susie (Doc) Morin, Belcourt; aunt Stella Powell of Fridley, MN; numerous nieces and nephews; extended family and friends. Les will be dearly missed by all that knew and loved him. He was preceded in death by his parents, Ben & Rose; grandparents; 5 nieces – Billie Jo DeCoteau, Jody DeCoteau, Jennifer DeCoteau, Danielle Swain and DeAnn Krumweide; two nephews – Ben William Patterson and Benjamin Gene DeCoteau; uncles – Norman, Steven, Collin, Ted and Eugene DeCoteau, Raymond Norquay, Robert St. Claire and Clarence St. Claire; aunts – Rose St. Pierre, Ida Norquay, Violet Desjarlais, Lucille Gross, Irene Beston, Mary Jane Thiefoe, Margaret Belgarde and Marlene St. Claire. Arrangements were with Nero Funeral Home, Bottineau. A meal will be served after the services at Peace Lutheran Church, everyone is welcome.