Bryan Marcus Parisien

Bryan Marcus Parisien (O Gee Mah Maquaw: King of the Bears, age 58, of rural Dunseith, North Dakota began his journey to the Spirit World on Tuesday, August 27, 2013, in Belcourt, North Dakota.

He was born on June 14, 1956 in Belcourt, North Dakota, son of Fred E. Parisien and Mavis Wilkie of the Blue Heron Clan.

Bryan attended elementary school at St. Ann’s Mission school in Belcourt. He graduated from Belcourt High School and continued his education at Central New Mexico College in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he obtained an Associates of Arts in Environmental Science.

At the time of his death, he was working towards a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science at the Highlands University in Las Vegas New Mexico. He was awarded a substantial scholarship for the 2013 Fall term.

Bryan made friends with Pastor Arrow Wilkinson of the Eastern Hills Baptist mission. Bryan assisted Pastor Arrow Wilkinson evangelizing to the homeless by offering them hope of salvation through the love of Jesus Christ. He would go to homeless shelters with Pastor Arrow and assist the homeless and help them in whatever way he could by praying for them and handing out hand held crosses.

Bryan was a free spirit who traveled far and wide. Bryan opened his home to many homeless kids from the Indian Reservation ranging from North & South Dakota, Washington State, Wyoming and up to Alaska. At one time he found out about a 13 year old boy and 9 year old girl who were left homeless in an apartment. He took them in and provided a home and cared for them for over a month until he found their parents. He drove them home to Rapid City, South Dakota.

He was a man of many talents. He loved music. He enjoyed singing and playing guitar with friends and family whenever he could.

Bryan was a very caring and compassionate man. He made friends easily. He accepted them as they were and did his best to help them in any way that he could. Bryan enjoyed life. He had a hearty appetite and was a great chef. He shared his talents with those whomever needed him.

He was constantly joking, teasing, and playing jokes. It gave him great pleasure to get a reaction from family, friends, and church members. Some people laughed, some got angry, and some thought he was crazy, but it didn’t matter to Bryan, as long as he made an impact on you.

He is survived by his lifelong companion, Eleanor “Ellie” Coonsis; adopted sons; Clinton Glick, Kevin Aargon of Wind River Reservation, Michael Chavez of Boston, Mass., his adopted daughters, Melissa Chavez, Miranda Chavez of Boston, Mass. brothers: Don (Carol) Parisien of Cass Lake, Minnesota, Ron Parisien of Sante Fe, New Mexico, Lyle (Iris) Parisien of Belcourt, North Dakota; sisters: Darlene Fourstar of Billings, Montana, Norma (Terry) Poitra of Dunseith, North Dakota, Shirley Butts of Bottineau, North Dakota and Carol Gardner of Denver, Colorado; foster family: Bob & Joanne Monette of Devils Lake, North Dakota, Bill & Charlotte Monette of Sheyenne, North Dakota, Vernon & Karen Monette of Coon Rapids, Minnesota, Carol & Lynn Davis, Tessie & Ronnie Poitra and Janice & Allen Schlenvogt of Belcourt, North Dakota;

A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Friday, August 30th at 6:00 p.m. at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Belcourt, North Dakota.

Casket Bearers will be Mike Butts, Todd Parisien, Ron Parisien, Jesse Parisien, Frank L. Davis, Sean Davis, Ben Poitra and TJ Poitra.

The Chilson Funeral Home in Winsted, Minnesota is serving the family. Online condolences may be made to http://www.chilsonfuneralhome.com