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Collins Wayne Oakgrove

Collins Wayne Oakgrove

(March 16, 1944 - June 15, 2014)

Collins Wayne (Timbo) Oakgrove, 70, whose Indian name was "Zhaa-waa-noo-inini" which means Southern Man, of Redby, Minnesota, entered the Spirit World to be with his family, friends and his loving wife, Minnie, on Sunday, June 15, 2014 at Texas Terrace Care Center in St. Louis Park, MN.

Funeral Services will be at 1 p.m. on Monday, June 23, 2014 at the Sports Complex in Naytahwaush, MN with Rev. George Ross officiating. A wake will begin at noon on Friday, June 20, 2014 at the Red Lake Humanities Building and will continue until Sunday morning. A second wake will begin on Sunday afternoon at the Sports Complex Building at Naytahwaush, MN and will continue until the time of the services on Monday. Interment will be at the Samuel Memorial Episcopal Cemetery in Naytahwaush, MN with full military honors provided by the Red Lake and White Earth Honor Guards. Cease Family Funeral Home of Blackduck assisted the family with arrangements

Active pallbearers will be Chris Kingbird, De'Andre and Charles Oakgrove, Jumbo (Tim Jr.), Eric Smith and Bob Red Eagle. Honorary pallbearers will be Kristine May and his grandchildren, family, friends and all of his students. Alternates will be Scott, Lyle, Keith and Rob.

He was born on March 16, 1944 into the Kingfisher Clan to Francis Williamson Oakgrove and Julia Dolly (Johnson) Oakgrove in Red Lake, MN. He grew up and graduated from Red Lake High School in 1963 then continued his education at the University of Minnesota Minneapolis. He received a B.S. degree in education in 1991 from Native American Education Studies in Minneapolis. He attended art school in Sante Fe, N.M. before he enlisted into the U.S. Navy in 1967, stationed on the battle cruiser USS Canberra, stationed in Viet Nam. After Viet Nam, he moved to Minneapolis and worked at various jobs. He met then married Minnie Lucille Murray on June 6, 1970. They were a well-known couple, known for their kindness and caring and helping out when needed.

During his teaching career, he taught at the U of M in Minneapolis, teaching the Ojibwe language, history and culture, at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School, Red Lake and Bemidji high schools, Bemidji Middle School and taught Ni Bin summer school. He was Director of TERO in Red Lake as well as past Director of Education in Red Lake. He enjoyed being in the woods for walks, hunting, fishing, visiting with family and friends and going to the casino. He was a jokester as well as a pipe carrier, wise man, spirit advisor and a great warrior. He was a loving father, grandfather, brother and uncle.

He is survived by his children, Tim Oakgrove, Tom Oakgrove and Julia Oakgrove, Barbra Kaiser, Harry Helps, Donnie Helps, Robert Helps, Gloria Gilbert and Maryanna Harsted; grandchildren, Tim Jr., Katrina, Destiny, De'Andre, Kristine, Iana Lynn, Charlie and Angela; great-grandchildren, Minnie, De'Laycia and Gin-ii-waans "Little Eagle" and siblings, Gertrude Red Eagle, Agnes Smith, Pete Oakgrove and Teddy Oakgrove as well as many other family and friends.

He is preceded in death by his wife, Minnie Lucille Murray Oakgrove on Dec. 18, 2010; his parents, Francis and Julia Oakgrove and siblings, Blacksmith, Florence, Nancy, Larry, Porky, Johnson, JoMarv, Butchie (Vivian) and Billy.

Messages of condolence may be sent to http://www.ceasefuneralhome.com

 

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