Irene E. Auginaush

Irene E. Auginaush

June 26, 1952 - December 5, 2020

Irene Auginaush, 68, of Rice Lake, Minnesota died on Saturday, December 5, 2020 at Havenwood Care Center in Bemidji, MN.

Funeral services will be held on Thursday, December 10, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. at the Nay Tah Waush Sports Complex in Nay Tah Waush, Minnesota. A wake will begin the evening before on Wednesday, December 9, 2020 at 4:00 p.m. at the Sports Complex in Nay Tah Waush. Interment will be held at Samuel Memorial Episcopal Cemetery in Nay Tah Waush, MN. The Cease Family Funeral Home of Bagley assisted the family with arrangements.

Irene was born on June 26, 1952 in White Earth, MN to Joseph and Gertrude (Summers) Auginaush. She graduated from Bagley High School 1970, where she was the Snow Queen. Irene went on to graduate from Bemidji State University with her degree in Early Childhood Education and later continued her education at Moorhead State University with online classes. She worked at Fort Snelling for a year, and then later as one of the first teachers at White Earth Headstart. From 1996- 2014, Irene was a District 1 Representative for the White Earth Nation. She was the longest serving Tribal Council Woman, with 18 years in the title. She became very well-known and made many connections; she even traveled to Washington, D.C. for her position and met President Obama.

Irene was very active in her community. She became a Lay Leader in the Episcopal Church. When she was younger, she played softball and basketball. Her softball team, the Demons, went on play in the State Championships where they took 3rd place. She coached girls' basketball, too in her younger years. Irene loved ricing, and was a traditional and jingle dancer. She started the Rice Lake Memorial Pow Wow and Walk as well as the White Earth Headstart Pow Wow.

Irene was very a knowledgeable, outgoing, and determined person. She was an advocate for the Elders and for the young. She always encouraged young people to get their education and be active in the community. She was loved and respected by so many people. Most of all, Irene wanted to be remembered for helping people and the things she did for others and her community.

She is survived by her sons, Jerry Hvezda and James Hvezda, Sr.; her grandchildren, Joseph "Alex" Greene, James Hvezda, Jr., Mandy Jean Hvezda, and Shayla Hvezda; her siblings, Evelyn Auginaush Thompson, William Auginaush, Sr., Donald Auginaush, Raymond (Karen) Auginaush, Sr., and Melody Auginaush; many loved nieces and nephews; many other relatives and friends; and her beloved cat, Giiwinaadizi.

She was preceded in death by her sons, Delmer "Tinker" (Amy) Hvezda, Jr., Joey Hvezda, and Jared Hvezda; and her parents, Joseph and Gertrude Auginaush.

Events

Visitation

Wednesday, December 09, 2020

4:00PM

Nay Tah Waush Sports Complex

2531 310th Ave

Naytahwaush, MN 56566

Service

Thursday, December 10, 2020

1:00PM

Nay Tah Waush Sports Complex

2531 310th Ave

Naytahwaush, MN 56566

Final Resting Place

Samuel Memorial Episcopal Cemetery

NayTahWaush, MN 56566