Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Valerie Janet (Smith) Johnson

Valerie Janet (Smith) Johnson

Born: Thu., Jul. 10, 1952

Died: Mon., Jan. 2, 2017

Visitation

2:00 PM Wed., Jan. 04, 2017

Location: Red Lake Community Center

Funeral Service

2:00 PM Fri., Jan. 06, 2017

Location: St. Mary's Catholic Church

Valerie Janet Johnson, Waabishkii-Aandegookwe which means "White Crow" of Redby, Minnesota and the Makwa Odoodem (Bear Clan), age 64, entered the spirit world on January 2, 2017 at the Red Lake Hospital with her family by her side after losing her battle with cancer.

Valerie was born on the Red Lake Indian Reservation on July 10th, 1952 to Irene (Fairbanks) and Patrick Baptiste Smith. She grew up and attended school in Red Lake and Oklahoma. After her return to Red Lake she met and married Randolph Lee Johnson, Sr. on September 4, 1971. Together they raised six children. Throughout the years, she held a variety of jobs which included JMark, Redby Mill, Cedar Craft, Seven Clans Casino in Thief River Falls and the Redby Store. She enjoyed spending time with her family, going to the casino, traveling, rummaging, shopping and cooking, especially her delicious fry bread, not only for her family but for the community as well. Valerie also loved listening to music and her munchies after her smoke.

Family that Valerie joins her mother and father, Irene and Patrick, brothers; Charles and Patrick Jr., sisters; Erma, Cindy, JoAnne, Jenny and Patsy, and two grandchildren; David James Lussier and Harleigh Johnson.

Valerie is survived by her daughters; Trina (BC), Ellie, Angie and Patsy (Ed) Johnson and Bobbi Jo (Lonny) Kingbird, sons; Randolph, Jr. and Jack (Willa) Johnson, adopted son; Gary Proudchief, Sr., grandchildren; LeRanda, Justin, Lonny, Jr., Patrick, Amanda, David, Dan, Julia, Cindy, one great grandchild; Serenity, sisters; Josie, Gloria and Phyllis Smith, brothers; Craig, Patrick, Richard Sr. and John A. Smith, numerous nieces and nephews and other relatives.

A wake for Valerie will begin at 2:00 p.m., Wednesday, January 4th at the Red Lake Community Center in Red Lake and continue until her 2:00 p.m., funeral service at St. Mary's Catholic Church on Friday, January 6th. Father Jerry Rogers will officiate. Pallbearers for Valerie will be Mike Barrett, Jr., Paul Prentice, Dorian Prentice, Lee Lussier III, Sean Lussier, Sr., Rod Prentice, Jr., Todd Smith, Lee Lussier, JR., Charles Smith, Jr., Earl Smith, Dana LaDuke, Stephen Dow, Ryan Hegstrom, Richard Smith, Jr. and Imran White. Her honorary pallbearers are Barbara Westbrook, Brenda Johnson, Charlotte Johnson, Margaret White, RoseAnne Spears, Phyllis Gurno, Doreen Wells and all of her nieces; Missy, Mary, Marlys, Buffy, Heather, Leah, Shantell, Jasmine, Angel, Wyndi, Rhianne, Debbie, Shannon, Alberta, Clara, Hannah and Charleigh. Inurnment will be in St. Mary's Catholic Cemetery at a later date.

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

 

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