Howard Douglas "Ma-Koonce" Whitefeather

Howard Douglas "Ma-Koonce" Whitefeather

December 30, 1963 - April 4, 2019

Howard Douglas Whitefeather, 55, of Bemidji, MN whose Indian name is Ma-Koonce which means "Bear Cub" died on Thursday, April 4, 2019 at the Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

Traditional services in the Indian way will be held on Monday, April 8, 2019 at 10:00 AM at the Ponemah Boys and Girls Club with spiritual leader Steven Jackson. A wake will begin on Saturday, April 6th at 6:00 PM at the Ponemah Boys and Girls Club and will continue until the traditional services. Burial will be in the family burial grounds in Ponemah.

Honorary pallbearers will be Morris Beaulieau, John Roybal, Robert Mantia, Michael Al Johnson, Thomas Zenzius, and Edward Fisher.

Active pallbearers with be Eric Whitefeather, Walter A. Lajeunesse, Oriole Kingbird, Davis Smith, Sean Charette and William McNeal.

Howard was born into the Bear Clan on December 30, 1963 in Red Lake, MN, the son of Elmer and Rose (Whitefeather) Weiss. He attended school in Ponemah and Pocatello, Idaho. He worked as a carpenter's apprentice for a few years after going to Technical School. He enjoyed fishing for many years. He liked playing with and loved all of his nieces and nephews. He was an avid Vikings fan and liked other sports. He always enjoyed doing things outdoors.

Howard is survived by his son, Justin Whitefeather of Salt Lake City, Utah; daughter, Tyannah Whitefeather of Bemidji, MN; granddaughter, Hazel "Annaang-Equay" Whitefeather of Hurricane, Utah; 4 brothers, Spencer Whitefeather of Laporte, MN, Robert "Shantz" Whipple of Cass Lake, MN, John Boy Whipple of Franklin, MN, and Robert Mata of Minneapolis, MN; sister, Irene Weiss of Red Lake, MN; special daughter and niece, Shanna Weiss of Red Lake, MN; special daughter, Shayla Wind of Red lake, MN; and several nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles and cousins.

He is preceded in death by his parents, Elmer and Rose Weiss, 2 sisters, Diane Whitefeather and Natlie Marie Weiss; and grandparents, James and Rose Whitefeather.