Carol Ruth (Turney) Wright

It is with great sadness that the family of Carol Ruth Wright (Turney) announce her passing on March 13, 2026, at the age of 73. Ruth was born on April 28, 1952, in Cass Lake, Minnesota, to Marvin J. Turney and Pearl Turney. She grew up in Onigum, Minnesota, attended Walker-Hackensack-Akeley School and spent her life in the Onigum community.  She worked for Onigum Headstart for 16 years and dedicated all of her life caring for children in foster care and raising her own and Matt’s grandchildren up until the time of her death.

Carol (known to many as Ruth) found her greatest joy at her sewing machine; making star quilts; jingle dresses; she was most happy if she was sitting at a sewing machine making whatever her heart desired. Her faith was her cornerstone, she remained a devoted member of St. John’s Episcopal Church, in Onigum throughout her entire life.  Her strength and genuine kindness she extended to everyone she met will leave a lasting legacy in the hearts of all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her partner, Matthew C. Hunt; her daughter, Shamelia Dee Wright; her sister, Linda Lee Turney; brother Kenneth Turney; her parents; and her grandmother, Nancy F. Graves.

Carol is survived by her children Donald R. Wright Jr. (Antonette Mountain), Jacquelyn L. Wright, and Joey Wright (Cheryl Staples); special son Donald Headbird, Jr.; her brothers Ronald Turney (Joan) of Bemidji, LeRoy Turney (Patti) of Bemidji, and Russell Turney (Linda Heisler) of Minneapolis; her sister Phyllis Yingling (Earl) of Surprise, Arizona; and many beloved grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends.

A wake service will begin at 5:00 p.m. with a meal at 5:30 and an Ojibwe Hymn Service at 7:00, officiated by Bill Butcher, on Wednesday, March 18, 2026, at the Onigum Community Center. The funeral service will be held at St. John’s Episcopal Church in Onigum at 11:00 a.m. on Thursday, March 19, 2026, officiated by Rev. Mark R. Olsen. Pallbearers: Ross Nason, Kelly Turney, Alexander Wright, Thomas Redbird IV, Javier Heisler, Walter “Sam” Reese. Alternate pallbearer, Shaun Butcher. Interment will be held in the St. John’s Episcopal Cemetery at Old Agency following the Service.

Ruths care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be given at www.northernpeace.com

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