All Obituaries

Toni Rae Smith, 45 years young, began her journey to the spirit world on Tuesday, July 16th, 2019 from her home in St. Paul, Minnesota.  She was born into this world on February 4th, 1974 to Ruthann Smith in Minneapolis, MN. We are asked to write about our loved one when it’s time, there is so much to say but so little room so here is just a little something.  Toni Rae had a huge heart, for our people for anyone she had ever met.  She held it together the best she...

Dawna Rae Jones, 29 years young, of Cass Lake, Minnesota journeyed to the spirit world on Sunday, July 14th, 2019 from Brainerd, MN.  Dawna was born on December 30th, 1989 in Bemidji, MN to Veronica Jones and Robert Brown. Dawna grew up in Cass Lake, MN and loved to play basketball in her younger years.  She graduated from Cass Lake-Bena High School at the age of 17 and went on to college for one year.  It was then that she had her pride and joy, Kyah Lee.  Her daughter...

Michelle Colleen Hunt, age 46, of Onigum, Minnesota began her journey to the spirit world on Sunday, July 14th, 2019 from her home.  She was born in Cass Lake, MN on April 23, 1973 to Maxine (Bedausky) and Matthew Hunt. Michelle is the daughter of Matthew Hunt of Walker MN and Maxine Hunt of Mille Lacs MN.  She grew up in Fridley MN until she moved to Onigum. This is where she met the love of her life Cameron Sayers while attending high school.  After high school, Michelle...

Barbara Griffin Obituary Barbara Jane Griffin (Lilja), 89 of Crystal, MN passed away Saturday, July 13, 2019 at Neilson Place in Bemidji, MN.  Barb was born on August 14th, 1929 in Larimore, ND to Albert and Hannah Lilja.  A Celebration of Life will be held on Friday, July 26th 2019 at 11:00 a.m.  at St. Joseph’s Parish Center, 8701 36th Ave. N. in New Hope, MN.  Visitation will be held one hour prior to mass at the church.  Interment at Gethsemane Cemetery,...

Michael Charles Tibbetts, Sr., age 68, of Federal Dam, Minnesota journeyed home on Friday, July 12th, 2019.  Mike was born via home birth in Bena to Wayne and Claire (Lyons) Tibbetts on October 19th, 1950. He grew up in Bena, attending school at Cass Lake-Bena Schools.  He furthered his education at Dunwoody College getting a degree in auto mechanics.  After return home, he married Deborah Campbell on July 14th, 1972.  They made their home in Bena where they raised their...

Donald Leigh Clark I, age 59, of Redby, Minnesota journeyed to the spirit world on Thursday, July 11th, 2019 from the Red Lake IHS Hospital in Red Lake, MN.  He was born on October 11, 1959 in Red Lake, MN, the son of Oliver and Irene (Spears) Clark. Donald always had a smile on his face and loved to joke around with everyone.  He enjoyed taking drives around the country side and giving his grandkids rides on his wheelchair; you never saw Donald without seeing one his...

Justin Eugene Stone, of the Bear Clan and whose Indian name is “Migiikiwis” was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota on July 18th, 1985 to Roxane Blakley and Eugene Stone Jr.  He was born and raised on the South side of Minneapolis where he spent most of his childhood years growing up on 3rd Avenue, where he also met a few lifelong friends.  He attended middle school and part of high school at Heart of the Earth Survival School and later on graduated from Four...

Patrick Louis Staples, age 70, “Ogichidaa Bines” which means “Warrior Thunderbird” of the Wolf Clan and Laporte, Minnesota began his journey to the spirit world from his home on Tuesday, July 9th, 2019, with his family by his side.  Patrick was one of 11 children born to Margaret (Charwood) and Charles Staples, Sr.  He was born in Cass Lake, MN on December 30, 1948. Patrick was born in Cass Lake, MN and was the 10th child of 11.  He was educated in...

Baby Winston Patrick Miettinen, 20 weeks gestation, of Akeley, Minnesota journeyed to the spirit world on Tuesday, July 9th, 2019 from the Sanford Hospital in Bemidji, MN.  He was born to Claire Londgren and Gary Miettinen III. The thought of having you was so sweet, all we can think about are your tiny little feet.  We love you son and again we will meet. Family that he meets are his uncle; DeShawn Michael Staples, great uncle; Douglas W. Omer, great great uncles; Ron and...

Shannon Lee “Opie” Barron, age 49, of Red Lake, Minnesota passed away unexpectedly on Sunday, July 7th, 2019.  He was born in Minneapolis, Minnesota to Verna Mae (Morgan) Barron on July 19th, 1970.  His mother asked Gerald Francis and Rosie Brun if they would raise her children if anything ever happened to her.  Opie was adopted by Gerald and Rosie when she passed away on January 22, 1976.  He and his siblings were moved to and raised on the Red Lake Indian...