Lance "Animal" Michael White

Lance “Animal” White, 53, “Waabishkaanakwad”, which means “White Clouds,” of Walker, MN began his journey to the spirit world unexpectedly on Monday, August 14, 2023, at his home.

Lance was born Wednesday, May 27th, 1970, in Cass Lake, MN to Ruth White and Tim Oothoudt, where he grew up surrounded by the lakes and the trees nurturing his zest for life and love of animals. Attending Walker-Hackensack High School, one of Lance’s many crowning achievements was placing second at the State High School Wrestling Tournament. After graduation, Lance attended Bemidji State University, where he lived life to the fullest hanging out with his cousin, Jenn “Niffer” Clarke, his very best friend, Chris Kubat, and so many other friends who called him “Animal” because of the constant adventures. “Go big or go home!” He loved anything and everything outdoors and you could often find him on a bike, a snowboard, camping in the woods, or with a golf club in hand. He often said he was most spiritual and connected when the wind was in his face or at his back. He easily made friends with his larger-than-life personality, tremendous sense of humor, and a large smile.

Lance’s work reflected the life he loved. No matter where he went chasing the next adventure, he could find a job in the kitchen prepping and cooking. Following his passion for the outdoors, Lance worked for the US Forestry Wild Firefighter on the west coast, then moved back to Minnesota to be with his daughter. He went back to school and earned his associate degree in photography from Hennepin Technical College and proudly started his own business, Lance White Photography, and is a published artist. On the side, Lance worked for Erik’s Bike Shop as a bicycle mechanic which rekindled his love of BMX, and you could find him racing around the BMX track earning countless titles and championships. Many will remember when he combined his two loves for his photo series “*Crap I Find on the Road.”

And anyone who knew Lance in the past 17 years, also knew his soul mate, his constant companion, his faithful sidekick, Eddie Dawg. Whether riding down the road on his bike with Eddie running next to him, or driving down the road with Eddie in his lap, or just hanging out by the campfire with Eddie at his feet. Where there was Lance, there was his loyal friend. Often, people recognized Eddie first and knew Lance was close by.

The family there to greet Lance on his journey are his grandparents and his partner-in-crime for adventures, cousin, Bob White (Elvis costumes on the golf course ring a bell?), and many family members.

Remembering him now are his parents, Ruth White and Tim Oothoudt, his daughter, Kylee (Daniel) Huss and their two children, John and Bev, and Kylee’s mom- Trudy Kirk, countless family members and friends, and his best little dog Eddie.

A celebration of life will take place Friday, August 18th at Battlepoint Community Center in Federal Dam starting with a visitation at noon, followed by a time of commemoration and lunch. Lance will be interred at the Boy Lake Indian Cemetery in Federal Dam. For those who can attend, please dress in the attire that is comfortable to you and known to Lance, band t-shirts and Vikings jerseys for the man who bled purple are highly recommended! Be prepared to share your favorite memory!

Lances 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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