Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 AM on Thursday, March 6, 2025, at the New Ralph Wells Community Complex, White Shield, ND.

Wake Services will begin at 6:00 PM on Wednesday, March 5, 2025, at the New Ralph Wells Community Complex, White Shield, ND.

Dakota was born in Sioux City, Iowa, to Codie Lynn Bird-Esquibel and Kenneth Dwayne Kearnes. Dakota lived with his parents in Winnebago then moved to St. Paul where Dakota attended the Indian Magnet School in East St. Paul. He really enjoyed his time there at school. In 2011, Dakota moved with his mom and brother to White Shield, ND where he would gain so many new brothers and extended family members. Dakota played football for the White Shield-Parshall team at the time not knowing or realizing that his football skills would be useful when    branding season came around. Tackling those calfs were a piece of cake. After graduating high school, he attended United Tribes in Bismarck.He completed his generals and graduated with his Automotive Technology AAS degree. After graduating in 2022 he moved to Minot to work at Trusted Tires for 2 ½ years.

Dakota is preceded in death by his father, Kenneth Kearnes; grandmother, Alvine Morris; grandfather, Steven Kearnes; uncles, Steven Kearnes Jr., Faron Kearnes; auntie, Margo Kearnes; paternal great-grandfather, Richard Kearnes Sr.; paternal great grandmother Loylee Kearnes.

Dakota is survived by his mother, Codie Lynn Bird-Esquibel, brothers, Damien Kearnes, Jacob Hodges, Christian Nomee, Daniel Shane Felix, Evan Kolden, Kale Kolden; grandfather, Vincent Morris; companion, Johnny Malnourie; Cheri Esquibel; Jaidyn Henry; All his Uncles, Aunties and Cousins.