Ernest Malcolm De Coteau

I was the son of Ethel Jefferson and Jerome Ironheart. My mom said that when I came home from the hospital in a shoe box and weighed just under 3 pounds. I was born in Forks, WA and grew up around the Lummi Nation and Washington State. I learned to fish, hunt, and gather traditional foods. I met my wife when I was 10 years old by teaching her to hold a fish by the gills. Despite the struggles of my childhood I was able to graduate from Bellingham High School in 1971. I started attending college at Lummi School of Aquaculture. Where I reconnected with Nancy whom I called “my Nani.”

I married Nancy Joseph on May 15, 1982 in Shaker Church on Lummi Shore Rd. We had four children. Toby DeCoteau, Thomas DeCoteau, Katie DeCoteau, and James Ironheart. Being a father came with personal growth and reconnection.

After building a home at Sauk-Suiattle I attended the BIA police academy. I graduated from there in 1985, when Nancy was pregnant with our youngest.

I proudly served the Sauk-Suiattle community Police Department for over 20 years.

I was honored to practice the cultural and spiritual practices of both my mother and father. Which I passed on to my children and grandchildren. Along with my favorite response of "mm-hmm."

Being a grandfather kept me strong and gave me hope. I enjoyed going out to eat at diners or having a BBQ where family came together. Some of my hobbies were riding my motorcycle, going on long drives, pushing buttons at the casino, going to bingo, carving, painting, weaving, and spending time with my grandkids.

Ernest Malcom Decoteau was preceded in death by mother Ethel Jefferson, father Jerome Ironheart, and , siblings Gerldine Lane, Eugene Decoteau, and extended family James Joseph, Katherine Brown, James Lawrence Joseph, Evaline Matrory, Kenneth Joseph, David Joseph, Josephine Strong, Norma Joseph.

Survived by wife Nancy DeCoteau, son Toby DeCoteau, son Thomas DeCoteau, daughter Katie DeCoteau, son James Ironheart, and grandchildren, Eden DeCoteau-Dominguez, Emilia-Ann Villamena, Sally Villamena, Franklin Villamena, Leda Decoteau, Kwichukt Decoteau,Tannowus DeCoteau, Walwilkid DeCoteau, Josephine DeCoteau, Jiraiya Ironheart, Akane Ironheart.

Viewing Thursday April 3, 1p- 5pm & Services Friday April 4, 2025 10am at Weller's Funeral Home

327 N Macleod Ave, Arlington, WA 98223

Marvin Kastening will be officiating