Benjamin John Kingbird, Sr., age 56, “Akiwenzii” which means “Old Man” of Redby and the Makwa (Bear) Clan journeyed to the spirit world from the Red Lake IHS Hospital on Friday, August 25, 2017.  He was born in Crane Lake, Minnesota on July 4, 1961 to Clarence Kingbird and Mary Jane (Blue) White.

Benjamin was always happy and smiling.  He loved to go to the casino, play cards, dominos, cribbage and horseshoes with his friends.  Benjamin enjoyed spending time with his friends, laughing and joking around.  He was a kind and loving father and grandpa.  He especially loved spending time with his grandchildren.  He loved his dog Taaka.  Benjamin loved sitting on the porch, smiling and waving at all the cars going while enjoying his morning cup of coffee.  He would give you his last dollar if he had it.  Money and material things meant nothing to him. 

Benjamin is welcomed to the spirit world by his parents; Clarence Kingbird and Mary Jane White, son; Michael Kingbird, brother; Clinton Kingbird, sisters; Elizabeth White and Melanie Kingbird, stepfather; Benjamin White, grandparents, numerous aunts and uncles.

Benjamin is survived by his special friend; Maggie Hawk, children; Amy (Sheldon) Kingbird, Benjamin (Rhonda) Kingbird, Jr., April Kingbird, Lawrence Kingbird, Terence (Amber) Kingbird, Tammy Kingbird and little Benjamin Kingbird, brothers; Lawrence, Calvin, Adrian, Llewellyn Sr. and Emerson Kingbird, sisters; Gloria Maxwell, Glendoris and Wanda Kingbird and Doreen French, his children’s mothers; Peggy King and Margery Hawk, special children; Torey, Tawnee, Trevor, Hinton and Teandra Jones, Amber Cobenais, Lori, Janelle and Beguy Hawk, 18 grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and friends.

A wake for Benjamin will begin at 1:00 p.m., Tuesday, August 29th and continue until his traditional service at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, August 31st all being held at the New Redby Community Center in Redby, MN.  His spiritual advisor will be his brother Lawrence Kingbird.  Benjamin’s pallbearers are Shawn Kingbird, Shane Kingbird, Chris Kingbird, David White, Dale White and Mike Ostlund.  His honorary pallbearers are Corkey Clark, Sheldon Brown, Benjamin Kingbird, Jr., Terence Kingbird, Torey Jones, Hinton Jones, Calvin Kingbird, Emerson Kingbird, Llewellyn Kingbird, Sr., Adrian Kingbird and Lawrence Kingbird.  Interment will be in the Fox Point Burial Grounds at Redby, MN following his traditional services.

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