Mary Black

Mary (Aabiik) Black, 87, of Ponemah, died Thursday, June 23, 2011, at the Red Lake Hospital in Red Lake.

A funeral will be held at 10 a.m. Monday, June 27, at the Ponemah Community Center, in Ponemah. A wake will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 25, at the Ponemah Community Center, and will continue until the time of the service. Burial will be in the Family Burial Grounds in Ponemah, under the direction of the Cease Family Funeral Home of Bemidji.

Pallbearers will be Marlyn Black, Brian Stillday, Emery Loud, David Rosebear, Robert Fineday, Julius Maxwell, Eldon Fond and Delwin Cloud.

Honorary pallbearers will be Julia Iceman, Marcie Benaise, Carol Spears, LeeAnn Grant, Deidra Cloud, Kit Norby, Angel Rosebear and Kara Stillday.

She was born February 14, 1924, to Fannie Wind and Peter Black Sr, in her grandma’s wigwam, in Ponemah. She worked as a Traditional Elder Resource in the Red Lake School District for over 12 years. She loved going to pow-wows and traditional gatherings.

She is survived by her sons, Donald Iceman of Ponemah, Marvin Iceman of Ponemah, Darrell Geshik of Ponemah, Richard Castanada of Red Lake, and David Castenada of Ponemah; adopted daughter, Gayle Downwind; best friend, Susie King of Ponemah, 24 grandchildren; 60 great-grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Cecelia Iceman; sisters, Alice Fineday, Julia Black and Lillian Fisherman; and granddaughters, Judi Benais and Annette Marie Jones.

Messages of condolence may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.