Joseph "Joe" Elliot Nadeau

Joseph Elliot Nadeau, 61 “Chi-Mukwa” ~ “Big Bear”, passed away, peacefully Tuesday, March 3, 2026, at home in Cass Lake, Minnesota, with his lifelong friend Anne Day and friends at his side.

Jospeh was born November 19,1964 in Deadwood South Dakota to Clement and Phyllis Nadeau. He grew up in East Grand Forks and enjoyed running and Golden Gloves boxing.  He received a medal in running for the Canadian Indigenous games and came close to qualifying for the US Olympics in Boxing.

He was the proud father of Jordanna Nadeau (Jackie Davis), Jessica Nadeau (Jackie Davis), Tanner Nadeau (Delores Dahlberg) and Joseph Nadeau Jr. (Elaine Rhea)

Joe enjoyed his heritage and learning all he could about it, his family and friends. He worked at logging, archeology site repatriation, roofing, security and other jobs.  Joe also enjoyed fishing, ricing and harvesting Mahnomen/Wild Rice, and making native pottery. He found pride and honor in being a father, stepfather, step grandfather and “Papa Joe” to all who enjoyed his company. 

He is survived by his children, Jordanna, Jessica and Tanner. His grandchildren, his ex-wife, Anne Day, his stepmother, RaeNett Nadeau, his siblings, Kim DeLuna (CO), Jackie Blessing (OK), Tina Bordeaux (NC), Elizabeth Weston (IL), Burrell Nadeau (MN), Sherri Jones (KT), Kathy Caraballo (OH), Clement Nadeau Jr (OH) and many many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

He was preceded in death by his father and mother, Clem Nadeau, Phyllis Wildermuth, his son Joseph Nadeau Jr, his sister, Danette Nadeau and Debbie Nadeau, brothers, Pierre Nadeau and Wilmer Nadeau.  Nephew, Travis Holappa and niece, Amanda Nadeau in addition to many friends.

A wake for Joe will begin on Saturday, March 7,2026 at 5:00 p.m. and continue until his Traditional Service on Sunday, March 8, 2026, 10:00 a.m. all to be held at the Pike Bay Town Hall, Cass Lake, MN.  His Spiritual Leader will be Mike Needham. Those helping to lay Joe to rest are Gary Littlewolf, Mike Harrison, Reed Larson, Burrell Nadeau, Tanner Nadeau, Roy Cournoyer and Kenny Yanez.  Burial will be in Boy Lake Cemetery, Boy River, MN

Joe’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral, Walker, MN Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Joseph "Joe" Elliot Nadeau, please visit our floral store.