John G. Dow

John Guy Dow,” Huuk Caaxsep” (King of Eagles), died unexpectedly Wednesday, April 10, 2024, at his home.  He was born on August 2, 1958, in Morton, Minnesota to Lester and Marilyn (White) Dow.  He graduated from Morton High School in 1976.  He attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Santa Fe, New Mexico and also ministry school in Phoenix, Arizona to become a lay reader.   On May 8, 1983, he married Melaine Thompson at Prairie Island. He was Prairie Island’s first bingo caller; he served on the Prairie Island Tribal Council in 1989 and designed the Prairie Island Logo.  He was very artistic making ceramics and having his own pottery kiln.  He made intricate beadwork, spoke his two native languages and loved to sing his devotional songs in Dakota.

John is survived by four nephews, Darren Childs, Dan Dow, Justin Dow, Jr. and Chris (Emily) Dow; three great nieces, Madilynn Dow, Rose Dow and Maiya Child; four great nephews, Daniel Dow, Jr., Matoska Dow, Christopher Dow II and Mitchell Dow and many cousins.  He is preceded in death by his parents; wife and three brothers, Martin, Justin Sr., and Daren.

Funeral service will be 11 a.m. Sunday, April 14, 2024, at the Prairie Island Community Center. A procession will begin at 1 p.m. on Friday, April 12, from the Tipsy Turtle to the Community Center where visitation will take place until the service on Sunday. Prayer services will be held at 7 p.m. on Friday and Saturday at the Center.  Burial will be at the Church of the Messiah Cemetery.  Arrangements are by the Mahn Family Funeral Home, Bodelson-Mahn Chapel.