Daniel Lyndel "Lone Man" Seminole

Our beloved Daniel Lyndel "Lone Man" Seminole died on Thursday, December 13, 2018 under circumstances we are still trying to understand. His death was unexpected and we hope truth and justice will allow us to make peace of his life on earth. Daniel was born August 10, 1978, to Lynette (Wohl) Seminole and the late Delbert Seminole Jr. This was a multicultural household of German from Russia heritage and Arikara and Northern Cheyenne tribal affiliation, Lutheran and Indigenous spirituality. Daniel was the firstborn son to Lynette and Delbert, with five siblings. He grew up in Fargo North Dakota, where he lived on and off throughout his life. At the time of his death he had claimed a homestead on family land outside of White Shield, ND, near the Missouri River, where he was intending a home for himself and his horses. Beginning life, he was a bashful child, who was quickly growing into the funny guy of the family, always trying to make others laugh. Daniel was a natural athlete, a physically strong, happy kid He was a born horse enthusiast dreaming from a young age, of the day he could move onto family land and raise his herd. He took seriously his role as older brother, even when his siblings didn’t take him seriously. At 16, Daniel lost his father to cancer and was vulnerable to coping habits that developed into addiction that would dominate him for most of his life. Daniel received his general education diploma from the ND State Industrial School and had attended some college at North Dakota State University. He was passionate about his learning and was incredibly smart albeit not the best communicator. What he lacked in verbal skills he showed up and put his heart into action. Feeding people was one of his joys. Difficult as it is to capture Daniel in an obituary, a man who saw his faults and had caused hurt and pain. To some, Daniel’s life was defined by the crimes he committed from addiction. To others, Daniel was the funny guy, a partner, a friend, warm, fearless and resilient. Over the last decade, Daniel learned more and connected to his culture and heritage. He put himself on a path to become better and maybe heal those pains through prayer, ceremony and going into nature. Institutionalized in a justice system that has closed off the humanity of addicts, Daniel had a way of making friends in that system who believed in him. He was a coworker, bunkmate, classmate and ridgie that was loved by many. He was a son, a brother, uncle and a father. Daniel has a son, Hunter Seminole, born in 1998 who he adored. Daniel believed fatherhood would change him and connect him to a family. Addiction however, created a distance between his son and that family. Through-out his life, addiction brought Daniel to dark paths compounded by the loss of many family members and friends. Each cycle had, short and sometimes long periods of sobriety where we believed he was taking steps to win the battle of this disease, yet time and time again the darkness overwhelmed him back to incarceration. Over these last couple years, through skepticism of family and friends, Daniel was prevailing. Making big steps to leave toxic people and habits behind Daniel had started to go west and live his dream on family lands with his horses. Out in the openness of the prairies he was intending a home that grounded him. He was regularly a part of community ceremony and gatherings and developing deeper relationships with friends and loved ones. He believed in his vision and wanted his family to be a part of that dream. We are finding comfort that he experienced living his dream in this lifetime and in the stories and memories of all his friends and colleagues. You brighten our sorrow with the light of laughter shared with our brother. Thank you. Daniel is survived by his son Hunter Seminole, his mother Lynette Seminole, siblings, Cheyenne Seminole, Prairie Rose Seminole, Dakota Harmon, Tashina Seminole (North Dakota), Ree Seminole (Lindsay Simon, New York) brothers: Dale Seminole (California), Simone Seminole (South Dakota), sisters: Diane Breane (New York), Rebecca Berge (Minnesota), Sharon Firethunder (Oklahoma), Merri Killsree (Wyoming), his girlfriend Amber Vorwerk, his beloved cousins, nephews, aunts, uncle and many relatives. Daniel is predeceased by his father Delbert Seminole Jr, half-brother Randy Gardner, paternal grandparents Winnie Spotted Horse and Delbert Seminole, maternal grandparents Edgar and Sophie Wohl. Wake and Funeral Services will be held at Peace Lutheran Church, 1011 12th Avenue North in Fargo. Boulger Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Wake Service Friday, December 21, 5 p.m. All night traditional Arikara wake, all are welcome. Funeral Service Saturday, December 22, 10 a.m. Peace Lutheran Church. White Shield Service Sunday, December 23, 1 p.m. Ralph Wells Memorial Complex, White Shield ND - Ashes will be interred next to his father after the service, then a meal will be held.