Eliza Edna (Spears) Johnson

Eliza Edna (Spears) Johnson

July 5, 1937 ~ November 5, 2017 (age 80)

Eliza Edna (Spears) Johnson, age 80, "Mashkiikiiikwe" which means "Nurse" of the Bullhead Clan and Ponemah, Minnesota began her journey to the spirit world on Sunday, November 5, 2017 from the Havenwood Care Center in Bemidji, MN. She was born in Red Lake, MN on July 5, 1937, the daughter of John and Maude (Wind) Spears.

Eliza was a homemaker all her life. She loved spending time with her kids, grandkids and relatives. Eliza enjoyed taking long rides and listening to her pow-wow music. She liked going to the casino and rummaging during the summer. Eliza raised her grandkids and her great grandkids – Brian, Curtis Jr., Bridget, DeAnthony Jake, Leo, Katrina and Amy. She was always there helping out at ceremonies and wakes in both Red Lake and Ponemah. Eliza was fluent in our Ojibwe language and helped out in the Ojibwe language camp at Ponemah Round House.

Family that welcome Eliza to the spirit world are her son; Vernon Johnson, daughter; Katherine Johnson, parents; John and Maude Spears, sister; Gloria Jones, brothers; Alvin and Norman Spears, grandsons; Marvin Spears and Dylan Cloud and her special friend; Delanor Wilson.

She leaves behind her sons; Robert"Charlie" Johnson, Douglas Spears and Melvin "Sam" (Connie) Johnson all of Ponemah, Alvin Johnson, Sr. and and Arlan (Jolene) Johnson both of Warroad, brothers; Greetings Spears, Sr. and Gordon Spears, sister; Doris Spears, 32 grandchildren, 34 great grandchildren and five great great grandchildren, many nieces, nephews and other relatives.

A wake for Eliza will begin at 12:00 p.m., Wednesday, November 8th and continue until her traditional service at 9:00 a.m., Friday, November 10th all being held at the Boys and Girls Club in Ponemah, MN. Steve Jackson will be her Spiritual Advisor. Helping to lay Eliza to rest will be Alvin Johnson, Jr., Andrew Cloud, Greetings "Ole" Spears, Jr., Alvin Johnson, Sr., Arlan Johnson and Robert "Charlie" Johnson. Alternate pallbearers will be Doug Spears, Sam Johnson, Marty Raincloud, Earl Raincloud, Brian Johnson and Curtis Cloud, Jr. Her honorary pallbearers are Doris Spears, Janice Iceman, Sharon Rosebear, Gretchen Spears, Connie Raincloud, Nicole Cloud, Kelsey Johnson, Katrina Johnson, Amy Cloud, Bridget Johnson, Gloria Spears-Hartfield and Renee Spears. Interment will be in the Family Burial Grounds at Ponemah, MN following her Friday service.

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