Bruce Theodore Nagel, 72, White Shield, known by most as “The Expert” & “Cochise”, passed away at his home on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, surrounded by family. Funeral services will be held on Monday at 10:00 am at the Ralph Wells Memorial Complex in White Shield. A wake service will be held on Sunday beginning at 6:00 pm at the complex. A family gathering will be held at Thompson Funeral Home in Garrison, ND from 4:00 pm to 5:30 pm on Sunday. Burial will be held at the Old Scout Cemetery in west of White Shield, ND.
Bruce (Prancing Bull/Giiraabe Arad’axihe) “The Expert/Cochise” Nagel beloved father, husband, brother, uncle, grandfather, great-grandfather, friend, and comrade made his peaceful journey into the spirit world on Tuesday, May 30, 2023, surrounded by his family.
Bruce was 72 years young and born on August 4, 1950 at Elbowoods, ND to Wilbur “Bobby” Nagel Sr. and Rose Mary Spotted Bear-Round Face. He was born in as a genuine (ME’tsiroku)Flint Knife Clan member and a member of the Greasy Mouth Clan.
Bruce grew up in a dirt floor log house in Red Butte alongside his Grandma Mattie Grinnell and John “Jack” Nagel. He attended elementary at Marty Indian School at Mission, SD. He graduated in 1969 from St. Paul’s Mission in Marty, SD. Bruce received a full academic scholarship to attend Hofstra University in Hempstead, New York. In his younger years he loved his time with his Grandmother Mattie Grinnell. He learned to speak the Nueta and Hidatsa language and practiced his cultural ways. He was a fancy dancer and enjoyed singing at the drum. Throughout the years he sang with various drum groups. Growing up he rode the hills of Red Butte helping his Grandpa Jack break horses raise cattle.
In September 1970, Bruce enlisted in the US Marine Corp and very proud he enlisted during the time most were being drafted in the military. Bruce was one of the Marines sent into Vietnam at the end of the war after the North Vietnamese broke truce and invaded across the demilitarized zone. Bruce has been featured in the Prairie Public segment Prairie Memories The Vietnam War Years, and spoke about his experience in the Vietnam War. Bruce was Drill Sergeant for the Marine Corp in Fresno, California. He received an honorable discharge from the US Marine Corp at the rank of Sergeant in 1976. During his time in the military, he made a promise to the Creator. If he made it home, he would use the knowledge he gained by his military training on various specialties he would use that knowledge to help and educate others. The “Expert” was born and everyday Bruce fulfilled that promise till he returned to his maker.
Bruce was a hard worker and held jobs in heavy equipment and road construction and helped build interstate roads in Montana, Wyoming, and North Dakota. He was a Project Manager and Director of the Roads Department in Rocky Boy, Montana. During his time in Montana Bruce learned to speak the Cree and Crow language and greeted various people in their language. Bruce also learned several other languages in his various travels throughout the world and Indian Sign Language to communicate with his deaf relative.
Bruce returned to Fort Berthold and began a career of helping the people of MHA. He first started working for White Shield Roads Department and Twin Buttes Road Department with the original “Road Warriors”. He held various titles and offered his expertise at the Fort Berthold Housing Authority, McLean County roads department, and the MHA Veterans Affairs Department. He dedicated over 34 years of service to the MHA Nation. Before he could let himself officially retire from the work force, he had one last mission to complete, he saw his vision of a new MHA Veterans Affairs building become a reality.
When he was not working, he took upon being the White Shield Community Board Chairman, participating in various Veteran groups, singing at the drum with family and friends, and assisted with the designing and construction of the Arikara Celebration arbor. He lived by a motto of “Live for Today not for Tomorrow.” Bruce did that everyday he was here, he would make the most of everyday he lived, by teaching, educating, and helping all. Bruce had a strong work ethic and a great respect for people.
Bruce is survived by his mother, Rose Mary Spotted Bear-Round Face, Companion, Delores White.
Sons; Wilbur Nagel, Rocky Boy, MT; God Son, Tate White, White Shield, ND, Jesse White, White Shield, ND.
Daughters; Lucelia Anne “Tweety” (Matthew) Ball, Freeport, FL, Dawn White (Duane Young Bird), Mandaree, ND, Ranie White (Sheldon “Ducky” Rush Sr.), White Shield, ND.
Grandchildren; Alexandria Marie Amundson, Morrisa Lee Nagel, Raven Willow Deswood, Margaret Rose Nagel, Lucas James Xavier Nagel, Wilbur Joseph Nagel Jr., Abigail Rose Ball, Ruby Ann White, Katherine White, Bobbi Young Bird, Sheldon Rush Jr., and Marcianna Rush.
Great Grandchildren; Zariah Dust, Tyree Dust, Santana Young Stump Jr, Kylynn Stump, Christian Demontiney , Jordan Demontiney, and Quinnlee Nagel.
Brothers; Tom (Cheryl) Nagel, Billings, MT, Justine Round Face, Pryor, MT, Cletus Round Face, Pryor, MT, Adopted Brother, Pete (Debra) Coffey II, White Shield, ND.
Sisters; Monica Nagel-Henry, New Town, ND, Roberta Round Face, New Town, ND, Dorothy Round Face, New Town, ND. Adopted Sisters, Glenda Embry, Parshall, ND, Judith Coffey Danks, Mary Coffey, and “Peanuts” Coffey, New Town, ND.
Uncle and Aunts: Melton Spotted Bear, Jeanette Spotted Bear-Richardson, Sharon Smells and Patrice (Jake) Tall Bull.
All his extended family, Spotted Bears, Coffeys, Richardson, Tusi, Round Face, Windy Boy, Beaumount, Turns Plenty, Hugs, Rogers, Bearstails, Smith, Irwin, Lincoln, Sage, Grinnell, Holding Eagles, Bull, Crows Heart, Bell, Fournier, and Little Owls Families
He is proceeded in death by his father, Wilbur “Bobby” Nagel Sr., Step father, Robert Round Face Sr, brothers, Butch Nagel Jr., Robert Carl Round Face Jr., sister Donna Emmarine Nagel, Grandparents Theodore & Emma (Coffey) Spotted Bear, John “Jack” Nagel Jr and Sadie Smith, Beloved Great Grandparents, John Nagel Sr. and Mattie Many Roads Grinnell.
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