Kade Michael Ferris

Kade Michael Ferris, Giniw Wiidokaage (Eagle Helps Him), age 54, began his journey on the Strawberry Road on November 4th, 2023 after a valiant battle with cancer.

Kade was born on January 25th, 1969 in San Antonio, Texas to Albert Lee Ferris and Kristeen (Evenmoe) Ferris. He moved with his parents and older brother to Moorhead, Minnesota a few years later. Kade was raised and educated in Moorhead and made frequent trips to Belcourt, ND to visit family throughout his childhood. A gifted student, Kade began taking college coursework at age 15. Even at that young age, Kade knew his passion lay in anthropology, archaeology, and history. Kade obtained a bachelor's degree in anthropology with a minor in history from the University of North Dakota in 1995. Kade later returned to school in 2005 and obtained his Master's degree in anthropology/social science/archaeology from North Dakota State University in 2007.

Kade loved his work and he was incredibly good at it. It was important to Kade that his work truly mattered and made a real difference for tribes. Throughout his 30 years spent in his field, he enthusiastically wore many hats, consulting with myriad tribal programs and federal agencies, managing projects, grant writing, oversight and completion of field work, and helping to get new tribal programs off the ground to name just a few. Kade frequently offered his expertise without requesting any credit or even payment. He would often say that it was his job to use the abilities he was gifted by the creator to work to make things better for the people. Kade's life's work always revolved around doing everything he could to preserve and strengthen tribal sovereignty and to improve the well-being of tribal communities. At the heart of everything he was a servant of the highest order always endeavoring to make a difference in some way for others.

Kade met the love of his life, Kristin Lamphere, in 1989. They married in 1992 and began building their life together. Over the next 17 years Kade and Kristin welcomed 5 sons into their lives. Later in life 2 daughters in law and 3 beautiful grandchildren were welcomed into the family. Family was extremely important to Kade. He often said that his family was his greatest masterpiece and his most important work. Kade was a very loving husband, father, and grandfather who never missed a opportunity to tell his wife, children, and grandchildren how much he loved them and how beautiful and special they were to him. He would regale everyone he knew with stories and photos of his wife, children, and grandchildren so often that many of his friends came to love his family through his stories, without ever having met them. Kade's grandchildren especially were the apples of his eye and they could always count on Grandpa getting into mischief with them. Kade was deeply loved by his family and will be deeply missed.

Welcoming Kade to the Star Camp are his grandparents Sam and Dora and grandparents Harvey and Clara, his father Albert, his mother Kristeen, his older brother Jeffrey, and close friend Bruce.

Kade is survived by his wife Kristin, his sons Alex (Winona), Andrew (Dana), Austin, Altayr, and Ammon, his grandchildren Cailey, Niigaanii, and Oakley, his step-mother Sharon and his step-sister Kelly.

A traditional Ojibwe service will be held from Thursday Nov. 9th through Sunday Nov. 12th at the new Red Lake Community Center in Red Lake Minnesota. Visitation will be open on Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday from 10:30 am to 7:00 pm. A light meal will be served on Saturday. Traditional services, a celebration of life, and a full meal are planned for Sunday. All are welcome to come on any day or every day that visitation is open.

Condolences may be left at http://www.ceasefuneralhome.com.