Alvin Gail Picotte passed peacefully on September 5, 2024, at Ball Hospice House.
Al was born June 27, 1941, to Alvin Edward Picotte and Vylla Grace (Schunk) Picotte just as the noon whistle blew. He’s been raising rucus ever since!
Al grew up on the Cheyenne River Reservation in South Dakota and was proud of his Yankton Sioux heritage. He was an avid basketball player. The kids on the rez wouldn’t pass him the ball because he had blue eyes. None the less he became a star forward and played in state championship games. Go Battlers!
Al graduated from Gettysburg High School, Northern State University in Aberdeen, South Dakota, received his master’s from the University of Minnesota, and his Education Specialist Degree from Central Michigan University. He moved to Sault Ste. Marie to be Superintendent of the Michigan branch of the Bureau of Indian Affairs, where he was instrumental in securing Indian Treaty Rights. He later joined Sault Ste. Marie Area Public Schools and retired from there. He said the most fun job he ever had was teaching Civics at Sault High School.
Al was an avid golfer, and once had a hole-in-one on the 6th hole at Sault Ste. Marie Country Club. He was a fisherman and hunter – his trophy bucks decorate the family room.
Al was a faithful member of Faith Lutheran Church for forty-four years. His beautiful baritone enriched many services, he was an enthusiastic member of Monday Morning Gospel Singers.
Al is survived by his wife of forty-seven years, Dixie; sons, Charles (Michelle) Picotte of Cedarville, Michigan, Douglas (Jenni) Picotte of Dripping Springs, Texas, and Allan Picotte of Rosemount, Minnesota; daughters, Jane of Kinross, Michigan, Tracy of California; grandchildren, Joseph (Mary) of Hessel, Victor Gordon of Kincheloe, Maddison of Kincheloe, Marshall (Bailey) of San Marcos, Texas, Libby of Dripping Springs, Texas, Briana (Max) AL Taquatqa of Farmington, Minnesota, Emma Rose of St. Paul, Minnesota; great-grandchildren, Clare, Leland, Wade, Nora and Hunter.
A Celebration of Life will be held at Faith Lutheran Church 1600 Park Ave. Sault Ste. Marie, MI, on Friday, September 13, 2024. Visitation will be at 11:00 AM with services at 1:00 PM. Burial will be at Union Cemetery in Maplewood, MN, on Monday, September16, 2024 at 11:00 AM. Please gather at he office at 10:45 AM to proceed by auto to the gravesite.
Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.
As submitted by family.
