Byron Anthony Downwind, Sr.

Byron Anthony Downwind, Sr.

April 15, 1963 - April 24, 2021

Byron Anthony Downwind, Sr., whose Ojibwe name is “Gite Gaabo” of the Crane Clan, 58, of Bemidji, MN died Saturday, April 24, 2021 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center.

Traditional Services will be held at 11:00 am Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at the new Red Lake Center in Red Lake with spiritual leader Michael Dahl. A wake will begin at 1 pm, Tuesday, April 27, 2021 at the new center and continue until the time of the service on Wednesday. The Cease Family Funeral Home in Bemidji assisted the family.

Byron was born April 15, 1963 in Minneapolis, MN the son of Rupert and Alberta (Gurno) Downwind. He grew up in Southside Minneapolis and Red Lake and resided in Bemidji. He enjoyed working on cars, playing keno/gambling and alley hopping. The number # 1 thing he loved to do is to spend time with his grandchildren and family. He married Chrissy Koch on April 3, 2021. Special thank you to his nephew Brian Brown for his dedicated life saving efforts and to Dr. Micah Treuer for all his compassion and diligence.

He is survived by his wife Chrissy Downwind of Bemidji,

Mother of his children Angie Defoe, ex wife Kathy Welch,

Children Emily Downwind of Red Lake,

Kayla (Dan) Downwind of Red Lake,

Byron Jr. of Bemidji,

Mitchell (Mikaela) Downwind of Aberdeen, S.D.,

Alberta Downwind of Lawrence, Kansas,

Gavin Frank of Lawrence, Kansas,

Darrin Hill of Minneapolis,

Nathan (Vivi) King of Bemidji,

Benaise King of Bemidji,

Grandchildren Emiris, Timara, Alexia, Dion, Bradyn, Byron Kingston, Talon, Tyson, Angelita, Cassidy, Gina Ritchie, Jalena, Aliauna, Mitchell III, Brian, Jr., Ethan, Haisley and Letty,

Siblings Beverly (Terry) Thomas, David (Jessie) Downwind, Debbie (Chuck) Barrett, Gina (M) (Chris) Downwind-Jubera, Ross Downwind.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Rupert and Melinda May, mother Alberta (Gurno) Downwind, siblings Delora Downwind, Rupert “Jumbo”, Jr., Harlan Downwind, Bradley “Windy” Downwind, Mitchell Downwind, Kevin Downwind, Franklin Gurno, Cindy, children Conan, Megan, Raiden, Brandi and Chailyn.

Active Casketbearers will be Randy Downwind, Terry Jourdain, Dino Downwind, Byron, Jr., Mitchell Downwind, Darrin Hill, Nathan King, Benaise King.

Honorary Casketbearers will be Lee Lussier, Jr., Todd Smith, David Downwind, Ross Downwind, Gina Downwind- Jubera, Debbie Barrett, Beverly Thomas, Angie Defoe, Connie Chung, Vivi King, Renee Vannett, Heidi Goodwin, and Casey Brown.

Condolences may be left at ceasefuneralhome.com.

Events

Visitation

Tuesday, April 27, 2021

3:00 PM-10:00 PM

Red Lake Community Center

Highway 1

Red Lake, MN 56671

Service

Wednesday, April 28, 2021

11:00 AM

Red Lake Community Center

Highway 1

Red Lake, MN 56671