Gilbert Wayne Moose

Gilbert Wayne “Sonny” Moose, “Bag-waj-inini”, age 74, of Bena, MN began his spiritual journey on Monday, November 11, 2019 at his home in Bena, MN with his family by his side.  He was born in Cloverdale, MN on February 8, 1945, the son of Jack and Mary (St. John) Moose. 

From the age of two, Gilbert spent the first few years of his life living with his grandmother in Lake Lena, MN.  This is where Gilbert gained many of his traditional values and spiritual teaching.  He attended school in Hinckley, MN and later learned the welding trade.  He met his first wife Sharon and together they had Darren, Darryl, Quentin and Corrina.  He moved to Minneapolis and worked for a factory using his welding skills.  While in Minneapolis, he met Patricia Morgan and together they had Luvette, Maureen, Merrick and Jacklyn.  The family lived in different locations before settling in Pine City from 1978-1985 and finally in Bena in 1985.  After moving to Bena, Gilbert worked as a Chemical Dependency Counselor for many years.  Gilbert really enjoyed the outdoors.  He also liked to trap, hunt, fish, attend ceremonies and pow-wows.  Gilbert’s passion was teaching and passing his traditional knowledge that he learned as a young man, to both the young and the old.  He was very well respected in the spiritual guidance he provided to those who sought the answers to many questions regarding traditional ways.  He was lighthearted, loved to joke around and could tell stories for days.  He will be missed by all who knew him.

The family that Gilbert joins again are his parents, Jack and Mary; sisters, Bonita Martin, Josephine “Big Mumma” Skinaway, Florence “Auntie Beek” Papenpheus, and Delphine Benjamin; brothers, Robert “Boy” Martin and Leonard Moose; grandchildren, Bezhigoo Jarbo, Baby White, Baby Drouillard, Baby Moose, and Sheila Weaver.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his wife of 50 years, Pat Moose of Bena; sons, Darren (Deanna) Moose of Plymouth, MN, Darryl Moose of Hertal, WI, Quentin Moose of St. Cloud, MN, and Merrick “Son” Moose and his significant other, Sarah Whitebird; daughters, Corrina Moose of Isle, MN, Luvette Moose of Bena, MN, Maureen Moose of Cass Lake, MN, and Jacklyn “Jackie” Moose of Cass Lake/Bena; one sister, Pauline Moose of Hinckley, MN, 47 grandchildren and 21 great grandchildren, other relatives and many friends. 

The wake for Gilbert will begin at 5:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 13, 2019 and will continue until the 10:00 a.m. traditional service on Friday, November 15th, all held at the Dave Morgan Community Center in Bena, MN.  Spiritual advisors will be Skip Churchill and Donald Wayne Smith.  Pallbearers will be Terrence “T.J.” Jourdain, Jr., Devin May, Dominic May, Brandon White, Dylan Fairbanks, Richard “Fudd” Martin, Jeremy “Jay” Martin, William “Guy Moose” Martin, Sr., and Delano Brown.  Alternates will be Kyrell Moose, Lynal Fairbanks, Jr. and Sheldon Brown, Jr.  Honorary pallbearers are Ernie Dunn, Ed St. John, Donald “Wayne” Smith, Robert “Bob” Pritchett, Clyde Morgan, David “Chief” Morgan, Kerry Morgan and Ray “Bro” Losh.  Interment will be held in the Lakeview Cemetery in Bena, MN following the service on Friday.

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

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