Clyde Dennis Monroe

Clyde Dennis Monroe

Born: Sat., Mar. 16, 1946

Died: Wed., Jun. 18, 2014

Clyde Dennis Monroe, 68, of Onigum, passed away on Wednesday, June 18, 2014 at the Evergreen Terrace Care Center in Grand Rapids. He was born on March 16, 1946 in Cass Lake, the son of John and Isabelle (Aitkin) Monroe.

Clyde Monroe was born and raised on the Leech Lake Indian Reservation. His family made their home in the Onigum community where he was primarily raised by his Bah-bah-naan Bill Morrell and wife Pauline and their family while his mom and siblings lived close by. Clyde was given his Indian name "Waubanoonini" or East Morning Man by an Ojibwe elder.

Clyde attended school in nearby Walker graduating in 1964. Clyde was an outstanding sportsmen who excelled in sports, especially in basketball. His love for the name made a huge impact on his life as he overcame great barriers as no after school transportation was available in those days for him to get home after practice. Many times Clyde made the long walk home through extreme winter conditions from Walker to Onigum on the ice lake road and sometimes in complete darkness. Upon graduating Clyde met the love of his life, Mary Jo Smith, and together they had four children until her death in 1983. He met Sharon Finn and together they had a daughter.

CLyde can be remembered for his outstanding basketball and softball skills where he attained numerous upon numerous trophies and awards throughout his long sports career. His children fondly remember him bringing a trophy home after a weekend of playing ball with the Onigum Nighthawks whether it was basketball or softball teams in the 1970s-1980s. In 1978/79 the Onigum Nighthawks won the National Indian Basketball Championship in Phoenix, Arizona. Up until his unofficial retirement from basketball and softball in the late 1980's Clyde still continued to play the occasional tournaments from time to time. Clyde began playing golf in the late 1980's and enjoyed playing in golf tournaments and in his free time and on his days off. One of Clyde's favorite pastimes is enjoying an evening with family and friends a the community volleyball games at the Ellis home in Onigum. Although the games were played only in fun the games were sometimes very competitive but only laughter could be heard coming from

Although sports was an important aspect in his lie, taking care of his family was always prioritized and it came first above everything else.

Clyde worked for Housing and Manpower in his earlier years before he transferred his career to the Gaming side and was one of the original employees when Northern Lights Casino was first established in 1990 and until the time of his illness in 2008. Clyde was known as "305" over the radio and up his illness Clyde had always hoped to return to NLC but his illness prevented it. Clyde can be remembered for being a tough, but fair man. Despite being "big" and "tall" his size could be intimidating to others, but his family knew better and considered him to be a big teddy bear.

Clyde was always there for his children and if he could help them out in anyway he would. He loved deeply and cared for all of his 31 grandchildren.

Clyde returned home from work each morning and always stopped in to check on her and to have coffee and donuts. He always made sure she was taking care of herself and taking her medications. Together Clyde had a special love and bond with his mom.

Clyde was a well respected and honored man in the community. He made many friends throughout his 68 years of life and his friends are too many to list. Clyde loved to tease and spread humor wherever he went.

Prior to his illness Clyde had completed paying the mortgage on his home on beautiful Leech Lake. Up until this time Clyde was able to establish many memories with his kids and grandkids with many dinners at his home and at other various places, Clyde's love for his family and friends was endless and his memories of good times and laughter and humor will never be forgotten. Clyde was a good man with good taste and all those fortunate to cross his path knew that once they attained Clyde as a friend knew they had a friend for life. Mii=gwetch!

Clyde was preceded in death by his wife; Mary Jo, parents; John and Isabelle, brothers; Harold and Calvin, sisters; Adeline, Tonya and an infant sister; Norma, nieces; Christina Johnson, Sherry Monroe, two infant grandchildren Mary Marie Kingbird and Jeff Kingbird, Jr., nephew; Sonnie Ringley, Bah-Bah Bill Morrell, numerous aunts, uncles, cousins, friends and a good friend Myron Ellis.

He is survived by his sons; Todd (Andrea) Smith of Cass Lake and Dennis (Regina) Smith of Onigum, daughters; Stephanie (Pedro) Raygoza-Garcia of Cass Lake, Shirley (Norman) Smith-Kingbird of Cass Lake, and Jade (significant other Chelsea) Finn of Brainerd, brothers; Roger Monroe of Walker, Edwin Monroe of Onigum, sisters; Bernice New of Minneapolis, Evie Monroe of Onigum, Darlene Monroe of Onigum and Elaine Monroe of Bemidji, special sisters; Glendora Ellis of Minneapolis and Cheryl Holk of Walker, 31 grandchildren and great grandchildren, special nephew and friend Roger "Teets" Butcher, numerous nieces, nephews, other relatives and many friends.

A wake service for Clyde will begin at 3:00 p.m., Saturday, June 21, 2014 and will continue until the 10:00 a.m. service on Monday, June 23, all at the Northern Lights Casino, Walker. Rev. Mark R. Olson will officiate. Pallbearers for Clyde will be Devin Smith, Trevor Kingbird, Trey Kingbird, Todd Smith, Jr., Jason Silcox, Larry Johnson, Steven Kent and Corey Butcher. Honorary pallbearers will be Dennis Smith, Sr., Todd Smith, Stephanie Raygoza-Garcia, Shirley Smith, Jade Finn, Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, Mick Finn, Roger Aitkin, Alfred "Tig" Pemberton, Frank Reese, Joe Jackson, Tony LaDeaux, Roger "Teets" Butcher, Shannon Haugen, Regina Smith, Brad Michaud, Norman Kingbird, Shannon Haugen, Northern Lights Staff, and the Onigum Night Hawks Softball and Basketball Teams. Interment will be held in the St. John's Episcopal Cemetery at Old Agency.

Clyde'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