Francis Frank Black Bear

Francis Frank Black Bear, 32, formerly of Parshall, passed away on Saturday, June 28, 2025, in Los Angeles, CA.
Family and Friends Gathering: Sunday, July 6, 2025, from 2-4pm at Langhans Funeral Home in Parshall
Wake: Sunday, July 6, 2025, beginning at 5pm at Thomas Johnny Bird Veteran's Memorial Hall, Dragswolf Village, New Town
Funeral: Monday, July 7, 2025, at 10am at Thomas Johnny Bird Veteran's Memorial Hall, Dragswolf Village, New Town
Burial: Snowbird Chapel Cemetery, rural New Town
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Francis Frank Black Bear "The One Who Stands Alone Man" was born March 30th, 1992 at St. Joseph's Hospital in Minot, ND to June Conklin and Nathan Yellow Lodge-Black Bear. Francis lived numerous places throughout his beautiful life. In his teen years, he went to an alternative school in Beach, ND. Francis always wanted to join the army.
At age 17, he moved back in with his parents in Dragswolf Village where he pursued a career as a laborer in construction. He would do side jobs in roofing for family when they needed him. He loved his Grandma Janice and Grandpa Wade White Body. He did anything and everything for those he loved. He was very family oriented and would have his weekly check-ins with family. He loved to visit his relatives whenever he had a chance.
When he was younger, he saved his baby sister Demi's life twice. One time their brother left her in a wagon because he saw a snake & Francis went to get her away from the snake. Another time, he saved her from bees, and he ended up getting stung 30+ times, but he didn't care as long as his baby sister was safe and would do it again any day. He took her everywhere with him. He also spent a lot of time hanging out with his sister, Mary, and providing a place to live when she needed it. He loved spending time with all of his brothers and sisters and had a special relationship with each of them.
In 2013, he met Susan ThreeIrons and he helped raise her children, Elvia, Leon, Leiken, & his baby girl Lexi aka his "Mouse", as his own. In 2015, they got married and in 2018, welcomed his son Kendrick. He called him his "baby bear" or "plump plump". His children are his pride and joy.
He had a passion for music with one of his many favorite artists, Kendrick Lamar, whom he named his son after. He loved sports, especially football; his favorite team was the Broncos. He loved playing football and basketball with his younger brothers.
He attended the Oceti Sakowin and Sacred Stone camp, which he took pride in being there. He loved to travel. He would walk several states away sometimes. He once walked from Dragswolf Village all the way to Rapid City, SD. During the winter months of the Oceti Sakowin camp, he walked for awareness from New Town to Cannonball, ND. He also walked from Oklahoma to Los Angeles, CA. He's wanted to go there throughout his life and he finally made it. Unfortunately, he never made it home to tell us about it.
We will see him again someday. Until then, thank you everyone for being a part of Francis's journey throughout his walk of life. Francis was so selfless, respectful, loving, and funny. His jokes and infectious smile lit up any room he was in and will be remembered forever.
On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Francis Frank Black Bear began his journey with the spirits where he will be greeted on the other side by his grandparents, Janice & Wade White Body, June & Larry Lockwood (James Bald Eagle), and Steven & Edna Black Bear-Yellow Lodge; sister, January Yellow Lodge; baby brother Yellow Lodge; stepdaughter, Elvia Ramirez and many other relatives.
He is survived by his, parents, June Conklin & Nathan Yellow Lodge; children, Leon, Leiken, Lexi, and Kendrick; brothers, Chad, Nathan Jr., Nicholas, Gabriel, and Roger; sisters, Laurie, Mary, and Demi; many cousins, nieces, nephews and many other relatives.