Beryl Joanne Rock, 61 years old, “Niizho kaabawik” (Together as one) of Cass Lake, Minnesota and the Ma'iingan doodem (Wolf Clan) dance on to the spirit world in Minneapolis, MN on Saturday, September 16, 2017 from her illness.  She was born in Park Rapids, MN on October 25, 1955.

Beryl was born to Bernerd J Rock Sr. and Geraldine E. Rock (Stone) in Park Rapids, MN.  She grew up in Ponsford, MN until moving to Minneapolis with her family in the early 1960's.  Beryl lived in Minneapolis before moving to Washington State where she graduated from high school.  On September 6, 1973, she gave birth to her first child, Freaman.  Then again on September 7, 1976 she gave birth to her second child, Lori.  Beryl moved back to Minnesota, and gave birth to her third child, Ronald Jr.  Following Ronald’s birth three years later, she gave birth to her last child, Naomi.

Beryl was an enrolled member of the Leech Lake Pillager Band, where her father was enrolled.  She enjoyed traveling and dancing jingle dress at powwows.  She also loved to sew powwow regalia for her children and grandchildren.  Beryl liked to spend her down time watching to food network channel, playing BINGO and slot machines.  Her favorite place to go was Walmart where she enjoyed buying her grandkids clothes and looking for yard sales.  She loved being a grandmother to all her children.  She cherished all her friends and family. She enjoyed visiting with all her friends and family and to share stories, making memories, and laughing with all her loved ones.

Beryl had an extensive background advocating for battered women and children, sexual assault victims, and abused elders.  She developed an interest in advocating through her personal triumphs.  She worked for Women of Nations, a battered women’s shelter throughout the 1990's.  She then moved to Duluth to work for Mendinig the Sacred Hoop.  In 2006, she graduated St. Scholastica with a B.A in Social Work.

Family welcoming Beryl to the spirit world are her parents; Bernard and Geraldine (Stone) Rock, a son; Ronald Long, Jr., grandson; Naythaniel Pewaush, niece; Danielle Burris, nephew; Roland Skinaway, great niece; baby little Rain, her grandparents, aunties and uncles.

She leaves behind her children; Freaman (Patti Wilson) Rock, Sr. of Cass Lake, Lori (Isaac Yanez) Rock of Longville and Naomi (Daniel Pewaush) of Onamia, sisters; Jolene Ajootian, Bonnie Rock, Joy Peltier, Brenda Burris, Betsy Haas and Dana Crawford, brothers; Bernard Rock, Jr., Byron Rock, Bryan Rock and Berton Rock, 14 grandchildren; Kendra Zacherle, Tyler Wilson (Rock), Blaze Wakefield, Kobe Nabors, Isaiah “Zaya” Nabors, Freaman “Monk” Rock, Jr., Beryl “Capris” Nabors, Gabriel “Shorty” Rock, Naylani “Lolli” Potter-Long, Imani Yanez, Daniel Pewaush, Jr., Imirra “Ming” Yanez, Isaac “Bay Boy” Yanez, Jr. and Danayron “Tiny” Pewaush, three great grandchildren; Scott Roy “Junebug”, Lanyla “Lala” and Jaxson, and numerous nieces, nephews, other family members and friends.

A wake for Beryl will begin at dusk on Monday, September 18th and continue until her 10:00 a.m. traditional service on Wednesday, September 20th all being held at the Veteran’s Memorial Building in Cass Lake, MN.  Allen Hardy will be her Spiritual Advisor.  Helping to lay Beryl to rest will be Adrian Burris, Marcus Burris, Randy Burris, Robie Rock, Kobe Nabors and Blaze Wakefield.  Alternate pallbearers are Isaac Yanez, Daniel Pewaush and Ronald Skinaway.  Her honorary pallbearers are her children; Freaman Rock, Sr., Lori Rock and Naomi Long and her brothers and sisters; Jolene Ajootian, Bonnie Rock, Joy Peltier, Bernard Rock, Jr., Byron Rock, Bryan Rock, Brenda Burris, Betsy Haas, Berton Rock and Dana Crawford.  Interment will be in the Boy River Cemetery at Boy River, MN following her Wednesday service.

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