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On April 19, 2021, God received Robert Dean Cordova, 56, of Cannon Ball, North Dakota, into heaven where he no longer suffers, while surrounded by his loving family at Sanford ICU, Bismarck, ND. Funeral services will be held on Saturday, May 1, 2021, in the Youth Activity Center, Cannon Ball, North Dakota with Father Floberg officiating. Burial will be in St. Elizabeth's Catholic Cemetery, Cannon Ball. Visitation is scheduled from 9:00-10:30 a.m. for the public and 10:30-11:00 a.m. for family. Services start at 11:00 a.m.

Robert was born June 13, 1963, at Los Angeles, CA to Pete M. Cordova and the late Betty Ann Elk. Robert was educated at Cannon Ball Grade School, attended 8 ^th grade at Pierre Indian Learning Center and graduated from Solen High School in 1981. He graduated from Standing Rock Community College in 1984 with a two-year Associate of Science degree in Criminal Justice. During this time, he met Arlene See Walker. Robert and Arlene were joined in marriage on May 27, 1994. To this union they had three daughters: Raylene D., Kelcie J. and Brandi R. Cordova.

Robert worked 13 years for the Standing Rock Head Start program. In between his years with the Standing Rock Head Start, he was employed with Prairie Knights Casino for one year with the Count Team. From 1997-2001 he served on the Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council. He worked as a Para-professional in the Special Education department at the Standing Rock Community High School. Robert served a second term as a Standing Rock Sioux Tribal Council member from 2005-2009. He very much enjoyed serving two terms as Tribal Council member. Due to health reasons, Robert had to withdraw from employment.

Robert participated in basketball in high school. He enjoyed watching family play basketball. He played fastpitch softball with Grandpa Wally Thunder Hawk's Rockets. Later in life he enjoyed watching his brothers, cousins and nephews play slow pitch softball. He always assisted in coaching tips and pointers whether you wanted it or not! Robert started throwing horseshoes and participated in many tournaments. He enjoyed playing in tournaments as well as hosting tournaments. He enjoyed meeting new friends at the tournaments. He was in a horseshoe league in Bismarck, ND for many years. A dream of his was participating in the World Horseshoe tournament in Topeka, KS in 2015. Some of his favorite past times were playing poker, listening to powwow music and playing Keno at the Prairie Knights Casino. He liked to host the Pot It games during Christmas get togethers or different occasions. The participants of Pot It enjoyed his humor as the host.

During his time at SRCHS, he was one of the boy's golf coaches. He and coach Don Two Bears had many memorable moments with the golf team. His most memorable moment was when his nephew, Travis Alkire, won the individual State Class B Boys Golf tournament in 2005. He was very proud of all of his golfers and enjoyed the time he spent with them.

He loved cookouts and family get togethers. He had a very good sense of humor even when he wasn't feeling good. He enjoyed visiting, laughing, joking, and making fun of family and friends with family and friends at the get togethers. He was proud of his family's accomplishments whether it was school, work or play. He loved his family very much.

Robert is survived by his father, Pete M. Cordova, wife, Arlene Cordova, daughters, Raylene, Kelcie, and Brandi Cordova, Isabella See Walker, and special niece, Whisper Elk, grandchildren: Braymani Cordova Iron Shield, Kaioni Cordova and Brayziah Cordova St. Claire, Jade & Jayla Alkire, Auraelyus & Qulyssia Alkire, Kyyalyn Eagleshield and Kyrin Elk. His sisters, Corinne (Ken) Alkire, Brenda Cordova, Sherry Elk, Brothers, Ernest (Shyanne Bernie) Elk, Avery White Lightning and Mitchell Elk, nieces, Felicia Addington, Sarita Fast Horse, Sasha Azure, Naomi Elk, Precious Bernie, O'Shae Elk, Scarlett Goodhouse, Santee Elk, Nova DuBray and Genevieve White Lightning, nephews, Tyson Alkire, Travis (Tonisha) Alkire, Brendan Cordova, Jacob Fast Horse, DeShawn Elk, Tatewin Bernie, DeAndre Elk, Tyler Elk, Wakiya Elk, Godson Misun Peterson, Tommy DuBray and Connor White Lightning, Aunts, Michelle Thunder Hawk, Alma Tweeter Thunder Hawk, Bernetta Thunder Hawk, and Lugardita Aguirre, Uncles, Wallace Butch Thunder Hawk Jr. and George Thunder Hawk Sr., and many, many cousins too numerous to list. He came from a large family.

Robert was preceded in death by his Mother, Betty Elk, Step-father, Herman Elk, Step-mother Betty Cordova, sister, Ann Agnes Reddog, brother Merrill Elk, Grandaughter, Brajon Cordova Iron Shield, Great-Grandmother, Agnes Looking Horse, Grandparents, Wallace and Annie Thunder Hawk, Grandmother, Maria Tenorio, Grandfather, Pedro Cordova, Aunts, Evelyn Eagle, Darlene Medicine Horse, Mary Thunder Hawk, Jewel Thunder Hawk and Julia Cordova, Uncles, John Thunder Hawk Sr., Michael Thunder Hawk Sr., Anthony Aguirre and Henry Cordova, as well as other family members.