Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)
Kenneth L. DeFoe
November 17, 1963 - June 14, 2021
Kenneth L. DeFoe, Jr., "Niizhoo Gwaanabe", 57, passed away with his family by his side on Monday, June 14, 2021, at Miller Dwan Medical Center in Duluth. He was born November 17, 1963, in Cloquet to Kenneth L. DeFoe, Sr. and Geraldine L. DeFoe. Ken was employed for the Fond du Lac Reservation since 1981, working up the ranks from laborer to head of FDL Housing and the head of FDL Construction Company. He helped plan, develop, build homes, community buildings and roads to name a few things throughout the reservation. Ken started his own company building and remodeling homes for ten plus years, before going back to FDL, running remodeling crews and passing on his trade to fellow young band members. He was a proud member of Fond du Lac serving in many different areas over the years. Ken enjoyed hunting, fishing, spearing, ricing, and spending time with his family and helping his family, friends, and community members in his spare time. He was passionate about watching his grandchildren play sports and grow into young adults. Ken will be greatly missed by family and the community he helped build.
Ken was preceded in death by his father, Kenneth, Sr., his wife, Angela Benjamin, his granddaughter, Myra, numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.
Survivors include his mother, Geraldine L. DeFoe; his children, Deanna (Chris Hall) Benjamin, Kenneth L. DeFoe III, Joshua Staples, and Randi Songetay; his brothers, Kevin L. DeFoe (Doreen) and Keith L. DeFoe (Shelly); his grandchildren, Kenny IV, Kingston, Winnie, Whitney, Wraylin, CJ, Jasmine, Marlana, Cameron, Dreamah, Caleb, Isiah, and Aaron; his uncle, Melvin DeFoe, his aunts, Elaine McFatridge, Nancy Seppala and Dorothy Cooley, numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
A Traditional Wake will begin at 6:00 p.m. on Thursday, June 17, 2021, and will continue until the 10:00 a.m. Traditional Service Friday, June 18, 2021at the Fond du Lac Head Start Gymnasium. Burial will be in Old Holy Family Cemetery.
Traditional Wake
Fond du Lac Head Start Gymnasium
Thursday, June 17, 2021
6:00 PM
33 University Road
Cloquet, MN
Traditional Service
Fond du Lac Head Start Gymnasium
Friday, June 18, 2021
10:00 AM
33 University Road
Cloquet, MN
Burial
Old Holy Family Cemetery
Friday, June 18, 2021
1:00 PM
Reservation Road
Cloquet, MN
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