Obituary of Van Lazarus Poucette

June 8, 1960 – Calgary, Alberta

February 19, 2023 - Morley, Alberta

It is with profound sadness that we announce the sudden passing of our beloved husband, father “Ade” (Chelun) Van Poucette was called home by our Creator on Sunday, February 19, 2023, at the age of 62 years.

Van was born in Calgary, Alberta and attended Residential Day School in Morley, AB later attending Exshaw school where he enjoyed playing football. He loved watching football, hockey, and the rodeo on T.V.  He earned with the Highest of Honours Degrees in Wildlife and Forestry Management and his Business Accounting Diploma. 

Van honored his traditional culture. He loved the outdoors, camping, chasing wild horses and was a fearless hunter. He had knowledge of lands, water, weather, game, wild horses, and animal behaviours.  He knew the trails along the Rocky Mountains from South to North and owned Joshua Creek Trail Riding Business. Van also worked for Asplund Canada and as a water technician. He had experience with mechanics. He used to joke about being a Jack of all trades.

Van loved taking his family camping and hunting. He enjoyed sharing laughs with his loved ones. Van was the best Ade, he was there for every birthday and holiday.
 
He was a true cowboy, he could repair saddles and enjoyed working with leather. He was a hard worker and an excellent horse trainer. He started his rodeo career at the young age of four. Horseback riding with his dad everywhere, he went on to bareback, saddle bronc and bull riding and won many championships along the way. One of his greatest achievements in Rodeo was in 1984 when he was the Buffalo Riding Champion at the Calgary Stampede. His latest accomplishment was in a Team Roping event, he made it to CTRA Finals, IRCA Finals in 2014, NANCA Finals in 2017 and 2018, the finals and made it to the Indian National Finals in Team Roping in Vegas Nevada in 2018. 

Van is survived by his wife Evangeline; children, Sharon (Rey), Kir Reese, Shelly (Ken), Kimberly and Jace; his precious and dearly loved grandchildren, Cordy, Joshua, Kyle, Shayne (Blaze), Tyler, Kaitlyn, Kadence, beloved granddaughter Kitana, Taylien, Tristan, and Jacob, special grandson Silas (Tamsyn) and great-grandchildren Aurora and Videl. His siblings, Eldra (Brian), David Cole, Joe, Gardner, Ruth, Darlene, and Shirley; Uncles Gilbert (Florine) and Helmer; Aunts, Brenda, Charlene (Clarence), Bernadine (Wyatt), Pauline (J.R.), and Lorianne (Lawrence); brothers-in-law, Ollie (Laine), Elliott, Lawrence, Earl (Norma) Littlechild and Joe Bird; and his father-in-law Lawrence Dixon; his sisters-in-law Mina Powderface, Florence (Bruce) Wesley-Beaver; Chief Clifford (Bernadette) and families. He is also survived by his adopted son, Mark Poucette Jr.; and his niece, Shay; his nephews, Geeyo, Spit, Lyman, Rowan, Renwick, Kliman, Jarron, Brett, Kyle, Martin (Kara) and their children. Van had many friends and relatives within the Poucette, Twoyoungmen, Powderface, Bearspaw, Wesley, Benjamin, and Crawler families. We apologize to those who have been missed.

Van was predeceased by his parents Lazarus Twoyoungmen and Lily Poucette, grandmother Flora (Chizin), aunt Jane (John) Poucette, brothers Kirby, Fergus, Leon Lazarus, adopted brother Kirby Bird, sister Evangeline Poucette, daughter Kelsey Baptiste, cousin Gerald and Velma Powderface, nephews Tylan Poucette, Brentner Kaquitts, Oliver Poucette, Gabriel Ear, Robert Hunter, Trevor Ear, Nieces Vanessa Hunter, and Fiona Yellowface.

Wake Services will be held at the residence of Brian and Eldra Snow (Morley, AB) on Thursday, February 23, 2023.  Funeral Services will be held at Goodstoney Rodeo Center Arena (Morley, AB) on Saturday, February 25, 2023, at 11:00 a.m.  Graveside Service to follow at Bigstoney Cemetery (Morley, AB).  Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed here.

In living memory of Van Poucette, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Crowfoot, 82 Crowfoot Circle NW, Calgary, AB T3G 2T3, Telephone: 403-241-0044.