Bernice Jean Lightfeather, 53 of Duluth , MN was born into eternal rest Tuesday, February 12, 2008 at the St. Mary’s Hospital in Duluth, MN. Traditional Funeral Services will be held at 10:00 am, Saturday, February 16, 2008 at the Ponemah Community Center in Ponemah, MN, with Spiritual Leaders Tommy Stillday Sr., Anna Gibbs, and others officiating. A wake will begin at 3:00 pm, Thursday, February 14, 2008 at the Ponemah Community Center and continue until the time of the service. Interment will be at her family burial ground in Ponemah, MN.

She was born into life on November 11, 1954, in Cass Lake, MN, the daughter of James Lightfeather and Louisa Kingbird. After she graduated from high school she attended school to become a teacher. She taught Headstart at Little Earth and Red Lake, she also taught Ojibwe language at Red School House and Red Lake High School. She was currently attending Fon Du Lac Community College. She loved going to school to further her education. She enjoyed going to the casino to play her favorite Keno machine. She liked going to pow-wows, doing beadwork, and making outfits. Most of all she loved and enjoyed spending time with her children and grandchildren. She also enjoyed taking care of her grandson Jimmy “Skibby,” and visiting her friends.

She is survived by her: Sisters, Mary (Bill) Chee of Albuquerque, NM, Eunice Lightfeather of Ponemah, MN, Philomay Lightfeather of Duluth, MN, Nancy Valenzuela of Duluth, MN; Brother, Jerry Lee Kingbird of Ponemah, MN; Sons, Terry (Lori) Lightfeather Sr., Terrance (Kathrine) Lightfeather, Charles (Malita) Lightfeather, Nodin (Marie) Lightfeather, Devin (Liz) Lightfeather; Daughters, Teresa Lightfeather, Crystal (Andrew) Lightfeather, Brandee Lightfeather…all of Duluth, MN; 25 Grandchildren, many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in eternal rest by her parents, and brother James Lightfeather.

Honorary Casketbearers will be: Teresa Lightfeather, Nancy Valenzuela, Crystal Lightfeather, Diane Lightfeather, Brandee Lightfeather, Philomay Lightfeather, Eunice Lightfeather, Charlene Defoe, Jimmy Lightfeather, and all her grandchildren.

Active Casketbearers will be: Terry Lightfeather Sr., Nodin Lightfeather, Terrance Lightfeather, Thomas Lightfeather, Charles Lightfeather, Daniel Lightfeather, Devin Lightfeather, and Nathaniel Long III