Francis Dale Wind

Francis Dale “Cowboy” Wind, “Ogitchidaa” meaning “Warrior”, age 65, journeyed to the spirit world on Thursday, November 16, 2023, peacefully, surrounded by family at his home in Cass Lake, MN. He was born on August 22, 1958, in Cass Lake, MN, the son of Ruth Marie (McKeig) and Theodore William Wind, Sr.

Francis spent the first 8 years growing up in Cass Lake and then the family moved to the Minneapolis area. He entered the Marine Core and served from 1976 to 1980, before returning and making his home in Cass Lake. He met Tina and they started a family. Cowboy worked for Leech Lake Head Start from 1994 to 2016, when he started working for Facility Maintenance. He enjoyed being part of the Leech Lake Honor Guard, going to pow wows and all the Head Start Events, fishing, hunting, and sweats. He loved living and learning the traditional ways with his cousins, George F. Wind and Vincent Morris. Cowboy loved to watch tv with his grandchildren, hang out with his sister Adeline and special nephew, Buck.

Those greeting Cowboy in the spirit world are his significant other, Tina Marie Headbird; father, Theodore Wind, Sr; stepdad, Rodney Thompson; grandmother, Alice Guinn; nephew, Todd “Tito” Rodriguez II; all his brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, and cousins.

Those left behind to forever cherish the memory of Cowboy are his mother, Ruth Thompson; sons, Michael Headbird, Franklin (Alecia) Wind, Chavez Wind; daughters, Tommi (Paul) Lindgren, Stevie (Robert) Thunderhawk; brothers, Theodore (Christy) Wind, Jr., Kenneth Wind; special brothers, Robert Bailey, Timothy Huie; sisters, Debbie Gleason, Adeline Wind, Wanda Croaker; and 16 grandchildren.

A two-night wake for Cowboy will begin on Monday, November 20, 2023, at 1:00 p.m. and continue until his traditional service at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, all to be held at the White Earth Family Center “Old Legion” in Cass Lake, MN. Francis’ Spiritual Advisors are George Wind and Vincent Morris. Those helping to lay Francis to rest are Randolph Headbird, Jr., Amos LaDuke, Daniel Wind, Jordan Headbird, Bradley Croaker, Reuben St. Cyr, Robert Thunderhawk, Sr., and Paul Lindgren, Sr. Alternates are Robert Bailey, Timothy Huie, and Christopher Headbird. Honorary pall bearers are Leech Lake Head Start and Facility Maintenance Crews. Interment will be at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 22, 2023, in the Pine Grove Cemetery in Cass Lake, MN.

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

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