Herbert Benedict Smith, Jr.

Herbert Benedict Smith, Jr., “Aa nii mii kiig BenEzii” age 61, of the Martin Clan and Cass Lake, MN, unexpectedly journeyed to the spirit world on Friday, April 7, 2023, from IHS in Cass Lake. He was born in Red Lake, MN, on April 22, 1961, the son of Delores (Pierre) and Hebert Benedict Smith, Sr.

Herbert loved being with his grandchildren, they were his everything! He LOVED the people and life. He was a regalia dancer, drummer, and singer who traveled and participated in pow wows. He enjoyed traveling with his pow wow buddies on the “pow wow trail.” When Herbert was younger, he liked to fish, hunt, trap, rice, and pick boughs. He still fished as much as possible. Herbert preferred to be doing anything outdoors. He had a great sense of humor. He spent a lot of his free time going to the casino, especially playing “Caveman Keno”. Herbert was a social butterfly, if he wasn’t watching the Sci-Fi channel or listening to music, he was “Facebooking” and keeping up with everyone. Herbert will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved him.

Those greeting Herbert in the spirit world are his parents, Delores and Herbert, Sr.; brothers, Elroy, Gary, and Clinton Smith; sisters, Katherine, Marjorie, Thelma Rose, Marilyn, and Beverly Smith; and daughter-in-law, Crystal Kangas.

Those Herbert leaves to cherish his memory are his sons, Bear Smith, Rainbow (Kara) Smith, Jehremy Kogle; mother of his children, Colleen Bonniwell; sisters, Berta (Bill) Smith, Clarice “Jean” (Ralph) Cloud, Tracy, Patti, Vicky, and Diane Smith; 5 grandsons, Jayden, Dominic, Bear Jr., Rainbow Jr., Kasey; 4 granddaughters, Hailee, Aleigha, Carla, Adriann; special nephew, Julian Kitto; numerous family members and friends.

A two-night wake for Herbert will start on Wednesday, April 12, 2023, at 4:00 p.m. and continue until his Friday, April 14, 2023, 10:00 a.m. service, all to be held at the New Little Rock Community Center in Red Lake, MN. Herbert’s Spiritual Advisor is Allen Hardy. Those helping to lay Herbert to rest are all of his family and friends. Interment will be in the Redby Community Cemetery in Redby, MN.

Herbert’s 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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