Bernard Lawrence Tourtillott, age 86, of Keshena, is making his journey to the Spirit World to be with his children and other loved ones on Thursday, May 5, 2022. Our papa was surrounded by his family at the time of his passing. Our dad was born on September 25, 1935, to the late Raymond Bernard and Theresa (Irving) Tourtillott in Keshena. He quit school in 1954 and enlisted in the U.S. Army and went on to serve with the U.S. 1 ^st Infantry Division in Germany.

We were proud of our dad's work with the Menominee Indian Mills (MTE) from 1957-1967, Marinette Marine, Green Bay Structural Steel, Drott Manufacturing, Bay Ship Building as a welder, he wanted us to know about him being a welder on the Edmond Fitzgerald.  He ended his career with Menominee Tribal Utilities.

Our Papa wanted his family and friends to know that hunting, fishing and shanging was a way of life, not a hobby or a sport.  The grandchildren and great-grandchildren could count on him at almost every sporting event as he watched them proudly.  The game of cribbage was a game he loved to play, and he said, "I was tired of winning, so I let them win".

Dad loved to camp, he shared many stories about camping with his "favorite cousins", Sweet Pea and Buddy Perez.  Our Father told us that watching his beloved "Rae-Rae" dance at Pow-wow's was the best time spent in the Woodland Bowl and other arenas.

As our Papa, Uncle, Dad and Cousin, he was well known for his awesome fire pit and cooking area at the lake-lot. He welcomed family from afar to come back home and join him with traditional foods during the Annual Menominee Nation Pow-wow.

As his friend and family, you could always count on a "good story".  Our family swears he never told the same story twice. His memory was sharp and he could remember everything.  The people in our community will remember how he loved to cut wood. He would ride around with a truckload of Elm, Maple, and Oak. At the age of 84 he gave it up.

Our dad is survived by our amazing mom, his wife for 63 years, Josephine (Boyd); children, Bernadette "Bernie" (Ray Biddy Fish, Jr.) Tourtillott, Annette "Toe-Toe" Tourtillott, Susan "Sookie" (Jerry "Gatie") Waukau, and Tina (Randy Hensley) Tourtillott; sister, Vivian Ranta; sisters-in-law, Rose Marie Tourtillott, Mary "Butler" (Botch Fish) Boyd; special granddaughter Alysse; great-grandson, Coltyn Clay; special family Alex "Little Man" and Olga Peters/family. He is further survived by his special and great friend Ray "Biddy" Fish. They were two peas in a pod!  Our Papa wanted to mention his #1 grandson, Dustin Marc, and special great grandson "Sam".  He has 14 other grandchildren and says they are all special in their own way, Eileen Joy, Marshall, Hannah, Leslie Rose, Leah Rae, Dustin Marc, Joseph Lee, Maria Dawn, Appolonia Rae, Jerry Lee, Alan, Kristin, and Blaise.  He loved his 24 great-grandchildren and loves his one and only great-great grandson, Korric. He also had 28 God children.

Our Dad, Papa and Friend was preceded in death by his children:  Peter "Pete" Tourtillott, Rae Elaine Tourtillott and Ruth "Sam" Tourtillott; parents, Raymond Bernard and Therese (Irving) Tourtillott; in-laws, John and Ellen (Caldwell) Boyd; brothers, Wayne, Maynard, Douglas and Gabriel Tourtillott; sister, Glarus Tourtillott-Diers; grandchildren, Rayne Fish, B.J. Peters and special great-grandson, Sean Checora.

The family would like to thank ThedaCare at Home nurses, Dr. Keenan and Kristin Waukau for their care of Bernard.

A funeral service will be held at 10:00 am on Monday, May 9, 2022, at St. Anthony Catholic Church in Neopit with Fr. Nonito Barra officiating. Military rites will be conducted by the Veterans of the Menominee Nation and the Keshena American Legion Post 497. Visitation will be held after 4:30 pm on Saturday, May 7, 2022, at the Neopit Community Center until time of service on Monday at St. Anthony Church. Burial will be at St. Anthony Cemetery in Neopit on May 29, 2022.