Violet Julia (Humphrey) Reyes

Violet Julia Reyes, the Matriarch of the Humphrey Family, passed away peacefully surrounded by family on Tuesday, December 26, 2023, in Minneapolis, MN. She was born to George & Mamie Humphrey on November 17, 1928, near Bena, Minnesota. 

As an adult, Violet moved to Minneapolis, Minnesota where she married Richard Reyes, Sr., and had three children. Later she met Duane Holmes, and together they had five children.  She worked as a tailor for many years, retiring in her seventies. The legacy she leaves is her Ojibwe floral beadwork. She acquired her skills from her mother and passed them on to her grandson Wayne. Violet lived for 95 years taking care of her family and all her loved ones.  Her door was always open to those in need of a home cooked meal and a place to stay.

Violet is survived by her daughters, Nickie & Vicky; sons, Daniel, Jon, Jack & Scott Campbell; sisters, Esther Bogda and Avis Poupart; special companion, her dog, Jackson; grandchildren, Jessy, Kayla, Shileen, Leanne, Wayne, Jon Jr, Christopher, Russ, Josh, Brandon, and Anthony who called her, “Old School Grandma”. 

Preceded in death by her sons, Richard Jr, Otto, and Wayne; parents, George & Mamie; brothers, Lawrence, Raymond, George Jr, Frank, Wallace and Wilbur; sisters, Dolly and Florence; the “Bugga” Lawrence Jr.; and many other family members.

Those helping to lay Violet to rest are Daniel Reyes, Jon Reyes, Jack Reyes, Wayne Reyes, Christopher Reyes, Royal Rock, Richard Parker, and Jim Johnsen. Honorary Pallbearers are Gina Erwin Sanchez, Jessy Beaulieu, Wallis Humphrey, Joyce Humphrey, Auntie Mary Gibbs, Steven Humphrey, and the Minnesota Chipps Softball Team. A visitation for Violet will start at 4:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 28, 2023, at All Nations Indian Church, 1515 E 23rd St. Minneapolis, MN, with Pastor Richard Latterner officiating. An overnight wake for Violet will continue at 4:00 p.m., Friday, December 29, 2023, at the Bena Community Center in Bena, MN. Interment will be at 12:00 p.m., Saturday, December 30, 2023, in the Lakeview Cemetery in Bena, MN.

Violet’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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