Mike Cross
May 17, 1941-Dec. 23, 2020
Mike Cross, “Maaishu
Dzeedish” (Yellow Eagle),
79, New Town, died
Wednesday, December 23,
2020, in Stanley.
He was born in his
family’s home outside of
Elbowoods, North Dakota,
on May 17, 1941 to Martin
and Dorothy Cross. He
was a member of the
Prairie Chicken Clan.
Mike was the
seventh-youngest brother
out of his five brothers
and four sisters. He at-
tended Elbowoods Day
School, Stephan Immacu-late Conception Catholic
School, and graduated
from Parshall High School
in 1960. He continued his
education at Haskell
University. Mike entered
the United States Army in
1966, serving two years
active duty and four years
active reserve with Honor-
able Discharge. He relo-
cated to Oakland, CA and
worked at the Intertribal
Friendship House
throughout the 1970s.
Mike returned home to
the Fort Berthold Indian
Reservation and married
Kyle Patterson May 7,
1979. They had three chil-
dren, Amanda, Kara, and
Forrest, and resided in
Parshall and then New
Town. Mike worked for
the Three Affiliated
Tribes, Fort Berthold
Housing Authority, and
developed his own in-
dependent consultant
business. He focused his
life’s work on building tri-
bal community programs,
many of which focused on
bettering the lives of tribal
youth. Mike enjoyed
spending time with his
family, especially his
grandchildren, reading,
writing, watching sports,
and gardening. He shared
his passion for traditional
gardening with the com-
munity, especially with
the young children at the
local tribal Head Starts.
Mike is survived by: his
children, Amanda Cross,
and Kara Fox (Clint);
grandchildren, Kayla
Franklin, Kylie Franklin,
Isaak Franklin, Tristan
Fox, and Ellie Fox; si-
blings, Milton Cross,
Alfred Cross, Carol
Juneau, Dorothy Atkin-
son, Raymond Cross; and
many beloved nieces and
nephews.
He was preceded in
death by: his parents,
Martin and Dorothy (Bar-
tell) Cross; son, Forrest
Cross; and siblings, Mar-
tin Cross, Forrest Cross,
Phyllis Old Dog Cross,
and Marilyn Hudson.
The family will cele-
brate Mike’s life privately,
in respect of CDC, North
Dakota, and Mandan Hi-
datsa Arikara Nation CO-
VID-19 guidelines.
Langhans Funeral
Home, Parshall
(www.langhansfuneral
home.com)