Barry L. Blackhawk, age 67, of Walthill, Neb., died Saturday, Oct. 15, 2005, at Winnebago Hospital in Winnebago, Neb., following a lengthy illness.

Services were 2 p.m. Wednesday at the Native American Church in Winnebago, with Mr. Johnny White Cloud officiating. Burial was in Winnebago Indian Cemetery, with a prayer service Tuesday evening, continuing until service time Wednesday at the church.

Arrangements were under the direction of Winnebago Wake and Burial Program.

A memorial service will be held in the Twin Cities at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29, at the DIW, 1671 Summit

Ave., St. Paul, sponsored by the Native American Church, Twin Cities Chapter.

Mr. Blackhawk was born Feb. 28, 1938, in Winnebago.

He attended St. Augustine Indian Mission and Winnebago Public School. He graduated from Albert Lea High School in Albert Lea in 1957, marrying Sharon Tuchtenhagen of Albert Lea that same year. He graduated from Mankato State University, Mankato,

in 1967, with a degree in education and a major in English and physical education.

He had lived in Winnebago, Albert Lea, Mankato, Renville, Minn., Denver, Colo., Black River Falls, Wis., Albuquerque, N.M., and St. Paul before returning to Winnebago.

He had various jobs and was a lifelong educator, traveler, language teacher, guitarist, singer and poet.

He taught English and was a coach of wrestling, track and football.

He was a member of the Native American Church, Winnebago Chapter.

He performed baptisms and name giving ceremonies for family and relatives as a Native American Church leader.

Most recently, he coordinated a “reconciliation” trip to Mankato. He was chairman of the Elder Council in Winnebago.

One highlight of his career was leading a trip to Europe for 20 college and high school students while teaching at the University of Minnesota in 1972.

He also worked at the Tribal Aging Unit for the HoChunk Nation in Wisconsin. He was a lifelong educator dedicated to HoChunk people everywhere.

Survivors include his children: Bradley, Bryan, Benjamin, Polly, Betsy and Becky of Minnesota, Cody of Winnebago and Mariah and Justice Blackhawk of Black River Falls, Wis.; 17 grandchildren; brothers: Morgan and Anthony Earth; sisters: Elizabeth White, Winona Armell, Grace, Charlene and CeCe Earth; an adopted sister, Esther Williams Russell, all of Winnebago; his former wives: Sharon, Agnes and Jean; and his special friend, Carmella.

He was preceded in death by his parents; grandparents; two sisters; and numerous other relatives.

Pallbearers were Vern Smith, Frank Smith, Evan Blackhawk, Al Wolfe, O.C. Earth and Daniel Earth.