Darian Morsette

Darian Morsette, 56, New Town, was surrounded by his family when he passed away on Friday, December 13, 2024, at a Bismarck hospital.
Family and Friends Gathering: Friday, December 20, 2024, from 2-4 p.m. at Langhans Funeral Home, Parshall
Wake: Friday, December 20, 2024, beginning at 5 p.m. at Northern Lights Wellness Center, New Town
Funeral: Saturday, December 21, 2024, at 10 a.m. at Northern Lights Wellness Center, New Town
Final Resting Place: Queen of Peace Cemetery, Raub
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Darian James Morsette was born to the late Gene and Elizabeth Morsette in Stanley, North Dakota, on March 8, 1968. He was a member of the Prairie Chicken Clan. His boyhood name was Nagcua Nagush (Young Mink). He was later given his grandfather's, Percy Baker, name Giiraabi Irashpash (Buffalo Bull Shoulder).
Darin grew up in "the vill," where he made many lifelong friends. They went on adventures in the clay buttes and enjoyed cooking on the trail. In high school, he spent time in Poplar, MT, where he met Farrell Red Dog. His children, Maurice "Mo" and Roxanne, were born through this union.
He continued his education at United Tribes Technical College, Minot State University, and the University of Mary, where he studied business. After University, Darin spent nearly 6 years firefighting in the mountains. It was there he and his soulmate Kirsten found their peace together. They welcomed two children, Kirah and Kobe.
As a youth, he enjoyed boxing, which he excelled in. In 1983, he represented the MHA Nation at the State and Region Silver Gloves Tournament and qualified for National Silver Gloves in Davenport, Iowa. This love of boxing would lead him to find his passion in coaching.
Darin dedicated many years to coaching boxing and basketball. He coached all four of his children's traveling basketball teams. Darin also coached for the New Town Public Schools from fifth graders through the varsity level. He treated his players and boxers like his own children, and his commitment to these youth was never showy; instead, he preferred to support them quietly but steadfastly.
In his many years of work and community service, Darin lived up to his personal beliefs of humility and respect. He said, "I was raised to be humble, but being humble isn't about being weak. It is about giving respect to earn respect."
Darin was a family-first kind of man. He checked on his mother every day and always supported and protected his sisters. Darin was always there whenever his family needed something - from repairs to errands or helping a sick family member.
Darin's core values included humility, dedication, and perseverance, which shaped his work. He attributed his work ethic to his grandparents, Dennis and Myra Snow. In recent years, Darin served as the MHA Tourism Director, and he particularly enjoyed learning and sharing the strengths of our Mandan, Hidatsa, and Arikara culture. He was chairman of the ND Native Tourism Alliance (NDNTA) Board and represented the MHA on the American Indian Alaskan Native Tourism Alliance. Darin volunteered on the North Segment Community Board, served as the president of the North Segment Community Alliance Board, was the vice president of the ND Native Tourism Association, and was the treasurer for the 2024 Little Shell Powwow Committee.
Darin loved to hike, hunt, fish, boat, and have bonfires blasting his music, even if it was just him with his trusty companions, Novi, Cerberus, Shiloh, and Jack Jack. On November 28, during one of his year's highlights and happiest times, Darin successfully filled his buck tag with the help of Kobe, Kirah, Waylon, and family friend Jacob Wollschlager.
Darin proudly earned the title "Papa." He would do anything for his baby girls, Amoura and Aubriella. He got all the newborn jitters out with his children and was a hands-on grandpa. Aubriella has fond memories of going on adventure walks with her "special papa." He also played with babies, read books, and colored with his girls. Amoura always greeted him by singing her 'papa song' when he would visit her.
He made his journey to the happy hunting grounds on December 13, 2024, and is survived by his wife, Kirsten; daughter, Kirah (Waylon); son, Kobe; granddaughters, Aubriella and Amoura; mother, Elizabeth (Baker) Morsette; sisters, Leslie Morsette (Gene Laducer) and Janelle Thundercloud (Bryan), and brother, Patrick Morsette. He was preceded in death by his father, Gene Morsette; children, Maurice and Roxanne Morsette; and eldest sister, Robin Morsette.