Eugene “Ribs” Dale Whitebird, 61 years old, of Cass Lake, Minnesota went home to be with his Lord and Savior on Monday, June 26, 2017 from the Cass Lake IHS Hospital in Cass Lake, MN.  He was born in Cass Lake, MN on April 2, 1956 to LeRoy and Elizabeth (Littlewolf) Whitebird, Sr.

Ribs was born and raised in Cass Lake, MN.  In high school, he was an all-around athlete.  After graduating from Cass Lake High School in 1974, he enlisted in the United States Marine Corps.  Ribs spent the next two years of his life protecting his country and upon discharge came home to Cass Lake.  He was a devoted servant to his people, in many different ways.  Ribs was a member of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church for many years, where he was a lay reader.  He also served on the Leech Lake Tribal Council from July 2008 to July 2012, he was a valued member of the Leech Lake Housing Board and was a Chemical Dependency Counselor trainee at the Addiction and Dependency program at AhnjiBeMahDiz Men’s Halfway House in Cass Lake.  Ribs helped many people with their journey home to the Lord, whether he was assisting Pastor Mark with the services, singing with the Ojibwe Singers (of which he was a long time member), or both.   When Ribs wasn’t busy helping others, he played for the Minnesota Chipp’s Softball team, traveling and playing in tournaments in many different cities.  He also liked to go to the casino and play the slots.  Ribs’ greatest pleasure was spending time with his grandchildren, they meant to world to him.  He was known by many and will be missed by all.

Ribs is reunited with his parents; LeRoy and Elizabeth Whitebird, Sr., brothers; Darwin and Dave, sisters; Betty, Arlene and Shirley, his companion of 26 years Kathy Taylor and his grandparents; William and Sarah Whitebird and Joseph and Katherine Littlewolf and several other relatives.

He leaves behind to cherish his memory his daughters; Kelli (Jared) Norton and Jamie Taylor, ten grandchildren, special grandson; Tyson, brother; LeRoy “Puff” Whitebird, Jr., sister; Beverly (Ed Dalton) Whitebird, mother; Nancy Whitebird, many more relatives and friends too numerous to mention.

A wake for Ribs will begin at 4:30 p.m., Wednesday, June 28th and continue until his 11:00 a.m. service on Friday, June 30th all being held at the Mission Community Center in Cass Lake, MN.  Pastors Mark R. Olson, John Rock and Father George Ross will officiate.  Pallbearers for Ribs will be J.R. Taylor, Clinton Taylor, Kyle Whitebird, Eric Fairbanks, Scott Whitebird and Daniel Fineday.  Alternate pallbearers are Jared Norton and Daryl Fisherman.  His honorary pallbearers are the Ojibwe Singers, Minnesota Chipp’s Softball Team, Men’s Halfway House Staff and Clients, David Hare, Robert “Jappy” Headbird, Patrick Northbird, Henry Harper, Walter Gross, Alfred “Tig” Pemberton and Rupert Olson.  Interment will be in Prince of Peace Cemetery at Mission/Cass Lake following his Friday service.  Military honors accorded by the Leech Lake Honor Guard of Cass Lake, MN.

Ribs’ care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker.  Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com.