Eli Owen Hunt

Eli Owen Hunt

Born: Sat., Jun. 13, 1953

Died: Wed., Mar. 5, 2014

Today on March 5, 2014 the world lost a great man. Eli Owen Hunt began his spiritual journey on Wednesday afternoon at St. Mary's Hospital in Duluth with his family by his side. He was born on June 13, 1953 in Cass Lake, Minnesota, one of twelve children, to James Joseph and Phyllis Louise (Chief) Hunt.

From the point of graduation Eli headed into the world full steam. He graduated from Walker High School and from there began his education that ranged from the Brown Institute in Minneapolis for Radio/Television Broadcasting, University of Minnesota Crookston for Business Management, and finally Bemidji State University for General Studies. Once done with his studies, Eli took every opportunity to further himself. He started his career as the History Curriculum Writer for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe. From there Eli was the Talent Search Coordinator for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe, Job Developer for Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Grants and Contracts Officer for the Leech Lake Tribe, Math/Science Tutor for Heart of the Earth School, Summer Youth Program Manager for Rural Minnesota CEP, Vocational Instructor for the Bemidji Technical Institute, Grant Writer/Planner for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, Tribal Health Director for the Leech Lake Band of Ojibwe, FSNE Program Manager for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and Chairman of the Leech Band of Ojibwe from 1996 to 2002.

Eli was a very family oriented man; his loved ones were the “rock of his being” all of whom he loved all dearly. Eli loved to spend time with his family, especially the young children. Every time they would walk into the room he would acknowledge them and make them feel special. He was very proud that he raised several children who include; James Garbow, Crystal "Nellie" Hunt, Regina (Dennis) Smith, Keith Tucker, Lavonne Hunt and Phyllis "Chocie" Hunt. Eli was a well-loved and respected man. His departure from this life has devastated all the people who knew him. Eli was loved by many as a brother and he will be sorely missed by those he helped and inspired. His family, and everyone else he touched in his life will miss Eli’s helpful, caring way. We are all blessed and privileged to have known such a great man and a very dear friend.

Eli was characterized as having high ethical standards. He was very honest, factual and punctual. He would always take time to sit and listen to others, engaged in their conversations, never judgmental and always accepted others for whom they are. He had a great sense of humor never poking fun of anybody nor holding any resentments and always quick to forgive!

There will never be another Eli.

The family that Eli is reunited with are his parents; James and Phyllis Hunt, brothers; Roland Hunt, James Hunt, Jr., Ronald Hunt, Ernest Hunt, sisters; Donna Hunt, Brenda Hunt and Judy Littlewolf, son; Russell Tucker, and one nephew Dicky Doo Littlewolf.

Those family and friends he leaves behind to miss his spirit are his ex wife and good friend Susan McMurrin, sisters; Janice (Darwin) Hunt and Peggy Hunt, brothers; Melvin Hunt and Matthew (Ruth) Hunt all of Old Agency other relatives and numerous friends and acquaintances.

A wake service for Eli will begin at 12:00 p.m., Monday, March 10, 2014 and continue until the 9:00 a.m. service on Tuesday all at the Northern Lights Casino Event Center in Walker, MN with Father Nick Hill and Father George Ross officiating. Pallbearers helping to lay Eli to rest include Edward Fairbanks, Keith Tucker, Melvin Durant, Jr., Dennis Smith, Sr., Tim St. Clair, Robert Elmberg and Daniel Hunt. Honorary pallbearers will be Luke Wilson, Jeff Moreno, Ribs Whitebird, Gary Johnson, Merrill Cloud, Bill Butcher, Ernest Dakota, Brad Walhof, Stan Chief, Steve Smith, Gary White, Jage Hunt and Gerald White. Eli’s final resting place will be in the St. John’s Episcopal Cemetery at Old Agency, Minnesota immediately following his service.

Eli's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be given at http://www.northernpeace.com