Roderick Lussier

Roderick L. Lussier, 55, of Red Lake, MN died May 15, 2011 Sunday, May 15, 2011 at the Red Lake Hospital in Red Lake.

Funeral Services will be 1:00 pm, Friday, May 20, 2011 at the St. Mary’s Mission Catholic Church in Red Lake, MN with Father Jerry Rogers officiating. A wake will begin on Wednesday, May 18, 2011 at the Little Rock Community Center in Red Lake, and will continue until the time of the service. Interment will be at the St. Mary’s Mission Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake, MN under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

He was born on April 15, 1956, in Red Lake, MN, the son of Adolf Thomas Lussier and Verna Louise (Defoe) Lussier. He grew up on the Red Lake Reservation, where he attended St. Mary’s Mission School, and also the Red Lake High School. He joined the US Army at the age of 16, and acquired his GED while in the Army. Upon returning home he attended Northland Junior Community College where he met his wife Ellen “Honey” Sanders of Goodridge, MN. They were married on July 30th, 1977 in Thief River Falls, MN. They returned to Red Lake to live and raise their family. He had various jobs over the years before he was hired by the Red Lake School District on June 12, 1985, and worked there until the present. He enjoyed going to the casino, bumping the sound system in his truck, all kinds of music especially the blues, and music from the 1970’s. He enjoyed watching boxing, and football on his big screen TV. He enjoyed hunting and fishing. He especially loved spending time with his children, and grandchildren.

He is survived by : Wife, Ellen Lussier , Sons, Ian Lussier Dylan Lussier, Daughters, Selma Lussier Alysa Lussier all of Red Lake, MN, Brother, Thomas (Theresa) Lussier of Red Lake, Sisters, Juanita Lussier of Red Lake, Iris Lussier of Thief River Falls, MN, Numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents, sisters Gwendolyn Lussier, Eva Wind, Karen Lussier, brothers Leland Lussier Sr., and Daryl Lussier Sr.

Active Casketbearers will be Rod’s nephews: Julian Lussier, Thomas Lussier Jr., Leland Lussier Jr., Jon Lussier Sr., Ken Lussier, Lief Lussier, Tim Lussier, George White III, with alternates: Harvey Roy III, and Vincent White Sr.

Honorary Casketbearers will be: Vernon McGraw, John McGraw, Thomas May, Phillip May, Quenton Good, Maynard Needham, Rusty Lussier, Brandon Lussier, and all the staff of the Red Lake School District.