- Date Of Birth: May 14, 1970
- Date Of Death: July 3, 2020
- State: Minnesota
Francis “Frank” Lee Oothoudt, age 50, of Whipholt, Minnesota began his journey to the spirit world on Friday, July 3rd, 2020 from Nevis, MN. He was born on May 14th, 1970 in Cass Lake, MN to Freida (Smith) and Ray Oothoudt.
He attended Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School, Flandreau Indian School and ultimately graduated from Chief Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig High School. In his early childhood, Frank would go on the Pow Wow trail as a traditional dancer where he traveled throughout North Dakota, South Dakota, Minnesota, and Canada. As he grew older, he developed a love for the game of football, basketball, boxing, and baseball. He played quarterback and running back for the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig Silver Eagles and enjoyed playing in summer basketball and baseball leagues into his adult life. As a young adult he enjoyed his time working as a car detailer which became a hobby. He also enjoyed working many years with his dad and brothers as a carpenter with Oothoudt Construction. His latest employment included Leech Lake Housing and Northern Lights Casino Grounds Department.
Frank and LaVonne knew each other all their lives and in the summer of 1992, they began dating. It was not long after that Frank moved in with LaVonne and Sheana. About a year later, Frank and LaVonne welcomed the first of their four children. He loved his kids and grand kids very much. He enjoyed singing to his grand kids and finding antique toys to play with his grand kids. He was so proud of his kids saying to LaVonne, “we have some pretty awesome kids, don’t we?” His love for his kids showed through his sense of humor with them, having one-on-one heart to hearts, and sharing stories. Over the years, he and LaVonne raised several other children; many of whom were family members and even some of their children’s friends.
Frank enjoyed working as a Fire Keeper and Arena Director at the Onigum Pow Wow. Making sure everyone was safe was important to him. He had a big heart and was always looking out for others whether it be relatives or friends in the community…he was always willing to lend a helping hand to those he cared about.
Hobbies he enjoyed included picking diamond willow to carve canes; rummaging, antique shopping and collecting; as well as summer family trips to many Pow Wows, west coast road trips to Washington; Valley Fair; Wisconsin Dells; and kids sporting events.
Frank was Christian, he enjoyed reading the bible and prayed every day.
Family that Frank is reunited with are his father, Ray Oothoudt; sister, Rosalinda Oothoudt; grandma, Frances Jordan; grandpa, John Smith; grandparents, Betty and Clayton Oothoudt, Sr.; uncles, David Smith and Leo “Bart” Jordan; nephews, Jason Howard, James Elmberg and Alonzo Smith; cousins, Linda Morrison and Clayton Oothoudt III; great nephew, Watson Smith; great niece, Dominique Smith, father in law, Harold Thompson; sister in laws, Wendy Thompson and Valerie Sweedman and other family members.
Those left behind to treasure his memory are the love of his life, LaVonne Thompson of Whipholt; children, Sheana (Steve) Hanson of Nevis, Roman Oothoudt of Onigum, Marissa (Elyjah) Oothoudt of Whipholt, Charles (Bonnie) Oothoudt I of Walker, Dion Oothoudt, Torie Thompson, Anthony Fairbanks, Taryn Thompson and Felix Fairbanks of all of Whipholt; brothers, Stephen (Nina), Joseph (Rana), Patrick (Rose) Howard, Daniel and Aaron Oothoudt; sister, LaVae Oothoudt; grandbabies, Bryson Tavian and Freya Guinn, Charles Oothoudt II and Brynn Hanson, numerous nieces, nephews, aunties, uncles and many friends.
