Mass of Christian Burial for Thomas John Mentz age 65 of Fort Yates will be 10:00 AM Saturday, September 30, 2017 at St. Peter's Catholic Church in Fort Yates. Interment will be in the Big Lake Cemetery Cannon Ball under the direction of Kesling Funeral Home of Mobridge, Sd. Visitation will be Friday, September 29, 2017 at Kesling Funeral Home beginning at 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM. Thomas passed away Sunday, September 24, 2017 at Fort Yates IHS of Fort Yates, ND.
Thomas John Mentz was born on July 26, 1952 to Basil and Alma (Ramsey) Mentz at Cannon Ball, North Dakota. Tom, as he liked to be called, was the second of four born into the Pha Thanka (Big Head) and Khangi Waste (Good Crow) tiospaye within the Big Lake community raised by his mother, Aunt Beatrice (Ramsey) Grant, Grandma Charlotte (Big Head) Ramsey, his father, and uncles.

Tom was born in a two room log house that he called home in his early childhood starting school at the Oak Grove School in Cannon Ball. Later he attended the catholic mission school in Fort Yates and eventually graduating at the McLaughlin High school. He went on to Black Hills State College and returned to the Standing Rock Reservation to work for the tribe. Tom held various positions for the tribe for (40) plus years dedicating his life working in the finance department in the old tribal office. Later he moved to the Gaming Department in 1992 as the Administrative Assistant to the Director for (24) years retiring in 2016 for health reasons.

Tom enjoyed his life with numerous special friends over the years known for his loud laugh, his love for life and enlightening everybody's spirit with his special way that made everyone enjoy life to the fullest. He was a very reserved man in his ways later in life and was always considerate of others well being making sure his friends near and dear to him knew that he loved them. His love of family was important to him and would make sure his brother and sister, nieces, nephews and takoja's were taken care of and safe. In his final days he fell victim to a disease that had no boundaries, and prepared his final days and funeral as he wanted it making sure his family knew he didn't want to be a burden to anyone and making it as simple as possible. He prepared himself in the final hours to be with mom and dad, his brother and the family he grew up with that had stepped already on the other side knowing he would leave his best friends and his Gaming Department family he held dear to his heart; and, leaving many others that he loved. He was loved by many who knew him and will be greatly missed by all, even his dog "Baby Girl".

Tom is survived by his immediate family of one sister Linda (Mentz) Heidinger and (Bruce); one brother Tim Mentz Sr. and Sister-in-Law Mary S. Wilson; Nephews: Danny Roberts; Tim Mentz Jr; Kevin Mentz; Nieces: Tuki (Red Cloud) Tibbitts; Deanna Mentz, Laura Augustine and Thiwakanna Mentz; Grandchildren: James, Kyle and Elizabeth Roberts; Parker, Wacapa, Natan Hinape, Estevan, Kyra, and Ethan Mentz; Alex Walks; Cordaero Tibbitts (Mayla-great granddaughter), Kieran Tibbitts and Morgan Angel (Jaylen-great grandson) Tibbitts; Mandi Paige Pleets; Tatiyana and Wocekiya Oneroad; Cousins: Robert Paul Grant and Journey; Leah Bear Cub, family and grandchildren; Lodie Ramsey family and grandchildren; all cousins on both sides of family to numerous to mention.

He was preceded in death by Parents; Basil A. and Alma (Ramsey) Mentz; Nephews: Anpetu Ohitika and Waduta Mentz; Cousin Melcolm Grant; Aunts: Elizabeth (Ramsey) Murphy; Beatrice (Ramsey) Grant; Uncles Joseph, Pat and Sidney Ramsey; Grandparents: Charles and Charlotte Laura (Big Head) Ramsey; Tom and Louisa (Good Crow) Mentz.