CJ IronHeart, 33 of Woodlake, North Dakota took his journey Thursday, August 24, 2023 at the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND.
CJ Ironheart (Cleveland Jon) was born January 10, 1990 in Bismarck, North Dakota, the son of Karen Littlewind and Cleveland IronHeart III. He was raised in Tokio, North Dakota with his mother Karen and step father Vernon F. “Sookie” Woodhull. He attended school at the Tate Topa Tribal School, grades K-6th. He attended 7th through the 9th at the Wachter Junior High School in Bismarck, attended and graduated from Four Winds High School, Fort Totten ND with the class of 2008. CJ loved to play basketball anywhere he would be. He was with the Four Winds Indians as they made their way to State in 2007 and 2008.
In the summer of 2008, CJ and Jani welcomed his one and only son Carter Jon IronHeart. He loved to go fishing and hunting with his son, family and many friends. CJ loved spending time with his family and was always teasing and joking with everyone he knew. He enjoyed watching football and basketball as a pastime. CJ was a kind and loving soul. He was willing to help whenever asked.
CJ earned his Liberal Arts Degree and graduated from Cankdeska Cikana Community College in 2010. He worked at the Spirit Lake Casino, Karen’s Place, Spirit Lake Tribe, Walmart and many other odd and end jobs.
CJ is survived by his son Carter Jon IronHeart and his son’s mother Jani Adams; mother Karen Littlewind, fathers Cleveland (Leah) IronHeart III and Vernon Woodhull; brother Ira Woodhull (Jessica Stensland), sister Kaysen Redfox (Devin Dunn); adopted brothers Christian “Mokes” Ironroad, Antoine LaVallie V and Austin (Brittany) LaVallie; special nephews Isaac and Alex; special niece Kaisley: siblings Cleveland IronHeart IV, Wanbli BlueBird and Tashina BlueBird; grandpa David Longie (aka “Big Dave”); grandmas, great grandmas, great grandpas, great great grandparents, Cora Rose Sherman, Arlis and Arlene Krulish, Darren Iceman Sr.and Darren Iceman Jr., Louie Garcia, Sharon Georgeson, Alberta Redfox, Gerri Redfox, Dallas Littlewind, Raybert Littlewind Sr., Newlyn Littlewind, Harlen Littlewind, Waylon Littlewind, Volante Littlewind, Gaylene Littlewind, Yvonne “Hopsty” and Louie DuBois, Germaine and Darren Demarce, Onna Littlewind, Carmen Littlewind, Delphine Cavanaugh; aunts and uncles Justine Littlewind, June Littlewind, Jessica McKay, Jackie Hunt, Ashley Hunt, Jay Littlewind, Verlyn Ireland, special aunts Beverly Tikanye, Yvonne Tikanye, Delphine Tikanye, Stephanie Tikanye, Lisa Burdick, Lisa Chaske, Amy Longie, Myra (Clayton) DuBois; special family Tony American Horse and family; cousins Caley Littlewind, Shanell Paul, Brooke Redfox, Nathan and Major IronRoad, Mykal and Keaston (Misun) Littlewind, Declan LaVallie, Micah. JoNae, Joelee, and Kayia Meade, Addison, Avery and Ali LaVallie, Gavriel, Kassiel, Wrenlee, Koko, and McKenna Lou Littlewind, Athena, Julian, Marlana, and Roman Littlewind, Greyson Littlewind, Ryland, Klolita, and Alden Redfox, Dacina and Kye Jackson, Recco and Marshall Hunt, Summer Dawn (Dan) Littlewind, Sky Littlewind, Kiana (Skieler) Littlewind, Spring Meade, Charice, Katrice, and Damingo Littlewind, Joliese, Ira, and Eric Hunt, Carmelo, Cutlino, and Lauren Longie, Odessa and Sloan Guy, Jace Littlewind, Caley Littlewind, Gavin, Jerome, Kristen, Jenessa, and Jay Littlewind, Trajin OneBear, Jaymee Chaske, Conrad Longie, Kyle, Jake, and Tyson Redfox, Oshea Redfox; many, many relatives on the Littlewind, Redfox and Tikanye family of Cannonball, ND sides of the family.
He was preceded in death by his aunt Jolene Littlewind; uncle Jeremy Redfox; grandparents, great grandparents and great great grandparents John F. Littlewind Jr., Joann Redfox, Cleveland IronHeart Jr., Muriel Small Jumper, Estelle Sherman Cavanaugh, Donelda Littlewind, Archie Redfox Jr., Frances Tikayne Sr. , Leroy Redfox, Robert Redfox, Melvin Gene Paul, Ambrose Jr. Littlewind, Alfred Littlewind, Clifford Littlewind, Sylvester Littlewind, Eugene Littlewind, Hilda Garcia, Annie Redfox, Elizabeth Redfox, Marium Redfox, Louella Paul, Doris Paul, Lavina Littlewind, Maureen Littlewind, Sandra Littlewind, Karen Paul, Etta Paul, Marla Littlewind, Marsha Littlewind, Carol Olsen Littlewind, John and Irene Littlewind, Archie and Gertrude Redfox, Joseph “Grampsey” and Martha Littlewind, Benedict and Rose Sherman; aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles Med Redfox, Mash Redfox, Mark Lufkins, Tom Tikanye, Frances ‘Poncho” Tikanye Jr., John Tikayne, Randy Tikayne, Archie Adam Redfox, Clint Georgeson, Michelle Redfox, Klo Redfox, triplets Michelle, Mary and Melissa Littlewind, Joanna DuBois, Mitchell Littlewind, Rocky Littlewind, Waylon Shaw, Tobias Shaw; cousins Michael Meade, Travor McDonald, Zane Ross and Jeffery LeftBear; best buddies Juleon “Reno” Littleghost and Que Lovejoy; and many other beloved relatives.
Active Pallbearers: Cleveland IronHeart IV, Antoine LaVallie, Justin BlackCloud, Austin LaVallie, Jace Littlewind, Jake Redfox, Christian “Mokes” IronRoad, Brandon Paul, Joran Black, Joseph Lovejoy and Zach Alberts.
Honorary Pallbearers: Stephanie Tikanye and family, Kooper Longie, Sharene Adams, Reaba Hegg-Mack, Charmayne Bohanon, Marie Martin, Wanita Chaske, Tara Yankton, Jolene and Billie Jo LaVallie, Eleanor Langstaff, Verlin Ireland, Myra Person, Terry Morgan and family, Rayanne RedBird, Baylee and Quinn Redfox, Steven (Dogskin) Tikayne, Robert Lawrence, the American Horse Family, Oshea Redfox, Myra (Stubby) DuBois and family.
A Special Thank You to Grand Forks ICU Doctors and Nurses, Spirit Lake Ambulance and BIA Police, Kris Weber, Dinah Aceveda, Jolene, Jessica Anderson, Layla Ewert, Evan and Patricia Shook, Donald Leroux and family, Jessica Dalziel, Leann Olson, Rena Lohnes, Laurie Dauphinais. All who have sent prayers, words of comfort and donations. If we forgot to name anyone, please know it was not intentional. We thank you for everything you have done and love you all.
A Wake and Prayer Service will be held on Thursday, August 31, 2023 beginning at 5:00 p.m. at the BdeCan Dakota Presbyterian church, Woodlake ND with a Prayer Service at 6:00 p.m. The procession to Woodlake will leave from the Spirit Lake Casino at 4:30 p.m. Funeral Services for CJ will also be at BdeCan Presbyterian Church on Friday, September 1, 2023 at 11:00 a.m. with burial in the church cemetery. Reverend Larry Thiele will officiate. Music will be provided by the Cuthead Drum Group, James Hunt, Paula Stensland and Milton Green. All Drum Groups and Singers are welcome to share their songs in memory of CJ.