Terrance "Terry" Tibbetts

Terrance "Terry" Tibbetts

September 24, 1958 - March 17, 2019

Terrance “Terry” Tibbetts, Chairman of the White Earth Nation, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2019, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND, at the age of 60.

Terrance Dennis Tibbetts was born September 24, 1958, in White Earth, MN, the son of Burnham “BL” and Marian “Babe” (Sargent) Tibbetts. His given name is Nii-Gah-Nii-Mosay, which means “Walks First”. Terry was a lifelong resident of Naytahwaush. He attended Naytahwaush Elementary School and Mahnomen High School. On January 6, 1979, Terry was united in marriage to Carol Warren. The couple made their home in Naytahwaush where they raised their family of seven children.

Terry’s career with the White Earth Tribe spanned 35+ years. He began as a public works employee and worked his way up. Following 22 years of dedicated service to public works, Terry was elected as the District II Representative in 2006 and served in that position until 2014. He was then elected Chairman of the White Earth Nation in 2016 and led the largest tribe in Minnesota. He represented all three districts on the reservation and all White Earth enrollees off the reservation.

Hunting, fishing, walking in the woods and being in the great outdoors were all things Terry enjoyed. He also liked attending and participating at pow wows, traveling, visiting and meeting new people. Terry’s greatest love was always his family, especially his wife and grandchildren. However, his passion was serving the people of the White Earth Nation. He was a member of the Community Council and spent many hours helping with the success of the Harvest Festival held each fall in Naytahwaush. Terry was also a founding member of the Naytahwaush Community Charter School, caring immensely about our youth and their future and education. Although, gone to soon from this world, Terry will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved him.

Terry is survived by his wife of 40 years, Carol, of Naytahwaush; two sons, Terrance Jr. and Tyler (Cherish), both of Naytahwaush; five daughters: Crystell (Troy) Tibbetts, Theresa (Sewell) Tibbetts, Renee (Mark) Tibbetts all of Naytahwaush, Tera (Randy) Tibbetts of Red Lake, MN, and Marian (Charlie) Tibbetts also of Naytahwaush; 15 grandchildren: Doug, Jeff, Troy Jr., Jordyn, Patrick Jr., Christopher, Marcus, Renee, Alani, Randy Jr., Joe, JamiLynn, Aiden, Avery and Andrew; three brothers: Burnham “Buck” (Mary) Tibbetts, Marvin “Moss” (Lynn) Tibbetts, Bernard “Bimbo” (Bette) Tibbetts, all of Naytahwaush; two sisters, Judy Tibbetts of Grand Portage, MN, and Deb (Tim) Uran of Naytahwaush; numerous nieces, nephews, cousins and extended family of Carol’s.

Preceding Terry in death are his parents, BL and Babe; a grandson, Raymond Johnson III; three sisters: Ella Vogel, Joyce Sheer, and infant Carol Tibbetts; nephew, Franklin Brown; special nephew, Mossy Tibbetts, and his mother and father-in-law, Wally Ann and Lyle Warren.

Visitation will begin at 6:00 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2019, at the Naytahwaush Charter School and continue throughout the evening. A wake service will begin at 7:00 pm. Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 pm on Friday, March 22, 2019, at St. Michael’s Catholic Church in Mahnomen, MN, with visitation being held one hour prior to the funeral. Burial will be in the Free Gospel Alliance Cemetery, Naytahwaush, MN.

Watch Chairman Terry Tibbetts Funeral Service: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/embed_viewer/21803