Buddy Belcourt, age 59, of Bemidji, Minnesota, died Sunday, May 30, 2010 at his home.

Bernard "Buddy" Lee Belcourt, the son of Charlie and Hazel (Goodwin) Belcourt, was born November 26, 1950 in Cass Lake, Minnesota. He lived in the Cass Lake area until 1958, at which time he moved with his family to Livermore, California. Buddy attended Joint Union High School in Livermore. At the age of 17, he enlisted in the United States Army. Upon his honorable discharge he returned home to California. From 1971 until 1975, Buddy worked at as Fire Fighter in San Luis Obispo, California. He then moved back to Bemidji, Minnesota. In 1979, Buddy began a career with the Minnesota Department of Transportation working as a Road Maintenance Senior. On November 15, 1980 he was united in marriage to Donna Stevens and they were blessed with three children. Due to his position with MNDOT, they lived throughout the communities of Crookston, East Grand Forks, and Bagley, Minnesota. Buddy retired in 1993 and moved back to Bemidji in 2007 to make his home.

In his younger years, Buddy enjoyed hunting, fishing, and picking blueberries. He always loved to catch a Minnesota Twins ballgame and watch game shows on television. Buddy also spent time playing cards and cherished spending time with his grandchildren.

Buddy is survived by a son, Dustin Belcourt of Bagley, MN; a daughter, Brooke Belcourt of Bemidji; three brothers: Gary Belcourt of Bemidji, Richard Belcourt and Ken Belcourt, both of Fosston, Minnesota; and five grandchildren: MaKoons Stevens, Nishimee Stevens, Pryce Belcourt, Precious Belcourt, and Brody Belcourt.

He was preceded in death by his parents; one daughter, Tamara; and two grandchildren, Sage Belcourt and Winston Stevens, Jr.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 3, 2010 at 2 pm at Rice Lake Area Fellowship Church with Pastor Tim Brown. Visitation will be at Rice Lake Community Center on Wednesday, June 2, 2010 beginning at 5 pm and continuing until the time of service on Thursday. A prayer service will be held Wednesday at 7 pm at the community center.

Serving as pallbearers are Gary Belcourt, Richard Belcourt, Ken Belcourt, Winston Stevens, Eugene Stevens, and Burton Stevens Jr. Honorary bearers are Dustin Belcourt, Ken Belcourt Jr., Sandra Thompson, Christine Belcourt, and his grandchildren: Makoons, Nishimee, Pryce, Precious, and Brody.

Interment will be in the Pine Bend Cemetery, rural Lengby, MN.