COTE - Mr. Joseph Cote, "Lil Joe", of Yorkton, passed away October 7, 2017 at Yorkton Regional Health Centre at the age of 70 years. Joseph Henry Bruce Cote was born on September 9, 1947 in the Kamsack district of Saskatchewan to Major and Bella (nee Keshane) Cote. Joe grew up on the Cote First Nation, the youngest child in his family, which gave him the nickname "Small Boy". From a very young age he had a special love for animals and especially horses. Joe attended residential school at St. Phillip's. Before he was married, he helped with raising his nieces and nephews and shared his love of horses with many of them. Joe married Elizabeth Straightnose and together they raised four children. Joe was an avid hunter and would always share what he could provide. Children always enjoyed him and would always go right up to him. He became "Grandpa Joe" to many. Family was always the most important thing in Joe's life. Throughout his life he helped others and provided whatever he could. He never turned anyone away. He helped raise his nieces and nephews, his own children and later his grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Traditional ways were important to Joe and that is how he lived. He was a great storyteller (even if the stories were sometimes questionable). Joe had a genuine sense of humour that would seep into the hearts of many around him. Joe would always practice patience and forgiveness and he always got along with others. He tried to pass these values on to everyone he loved. Joe had a unique style in the way he carried himself and the way he dressed. He enjoyed the Saturday Night Get Together program on the radio. His door was always open for anyone that needed some help or just wanted to visit. He will be dearly missed and forever remembered. Joe was predeceased by his parents, Major and Bella; his daughter, Angela Bella Cote and his son, Ryan Ross; his granddaughters, Chelsea Shingoose and Natasha Friday; his brothers, James, Leonard and Magnus; his sisters, Lillian, Elizabeth, Helen and Alma Cote, Cora Severight and Maggie Severight; his niece, Kim Severight. He leaves to cherish his memory his three children, Joseph (Barb) Straightnose, Major (Lisa) Straightnose and Jerry Cote; twenty-seven grandchildren and thirty-five great-grandchildren; his sister, Sarah Cote; special nephews, Nelson Gamble, George Cote and Danny Severight; special nieces, Roxanne Favel, Sandra Tourangeau, Bernadette and Bev Keshane; special granddaughters, Natasha, Mary, Alexas and Mia; special grandsons, Nathan, DJ and Dwayne; as well as many nieces, nephews, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends that Grandpa kept close to his heart. The Wake commenced on Monday afternoon, October 9, 2017 and the Funeral Service on Tuesday, October 10, 2017 at the Cote Education Centre, Cote First Nation with George Cote, Elder Ted Strongquill and Keeseekoose Drum Group officiating. Honourary Bearers were Robert Cote, Irvin Tourangeau, Wally Shingoose, Danny Severight, Dustin Kennedy and his special friend Brenda and all of his relatives and friends that shared in his special life. The interment followed in the Cote Cemetery - Cote First Nation with Nathan Cote, Dennis Peepeetch, Jordan Shingoose, Leslie Straightnose, Matthew Strongquill and Lloyd Shingoose serving as the casket bearers. Condolences can be sent to the family at www.baileysfuneralhome.com.
