Ralph Don Spears, Sr.

Ralph Don Spears, Sr.

October 1, 1947 ~ February 1, 2022 (age 74)

Ralph Don Spears, Sr., age 74, "Maajiiwewidang" meaning "Voice Going with the Wind" of Ponemah, Minnesota and the Ogishkimanisi Clan began his spirit walk from the Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, ND on Tuesday, February 1st, 2022. Ralph was born on October 1st, 1947, at the Red Lake Hospital in Red Lake, MN to Arlean Spears and James Iceman.

Ralph grew up in the Red Lake and Ponemah areas. After school he enlisted in the United States Army and was honorably discharged in 1972. Ralph returned home and worked various jobs before going to work for the Red Lake Forestry Department for several years. He then became an Emergency Medical Technician and working for the Ambulance Service in Red Lake until November of 2004, when he retired. Ralph was a proud member of the veteran's group, 3 Star Warrior Society. He loved to casino games on his tablet as well as going to the casino to play, he enjoyed being outdoors working on cars but most of all, Ralph liked helping people. He never turned a person in need away, helping in any way he could. His kindness will be forever remembered.

Family welcoming Ralph to the spirit world are his children, Ralph Spears, Jr. and Arlene Spears; stepchild, Thurlene Stillday; parents, Arlean Spears and James Icemen; adopted parents, Susan and Percy Spears, Sr. and auntie Alma (Spears) Iceman; stepdad, John Wilson; siblings, James Dick, Roselie, Robert, Roland, Byron, Priscilla Iceman, Carol Martin, Darlene Cloud, Angie FastWolf, Ellen and Deanna Dick, and Calvin Spears; granddaughter, Delaney Spears; and other family members.

He will be missed by his wife, Carol Spears; the mother of his two children, Virginia Spears; children, Vicky (Doug) Spears and Nicholas (Tonya) Spears; stepchildren, Tyann and Kara Stillday, Lowery, Lorenzo and Elbert White; siblings, Phyllis, Kenneth (Olive), Darrell (Janice), Ervin (Sherilyn) Iceman, and Ronald Martin; half-sisters, Julie Elmberg, and Marion Galvon; adopted siblings, Carol (John) Barret, Percy (Gwen) Spears, Jr., Gary (Shirley) Spears, Diane spears, Donna (Mitchell) Taylor; grandchildren he raised, Elise White, Tevaugn Stillday and Taylor (Bessie) Brown; grandchildren, Marie, Amanda, Willard Jr., Samuel Sr., Andrew Sr., Kayla, Scott, Donte Sr., Jared, Rhylia and Khylia; 25 great grandkids; 28 step grandchildren, special nieces, Theran Iceman and Karen Martin; numerous nieces, nephews, relatives and his friends.

Wake services for Ralph will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 9th and continue until his 11:00 a.m. traditional service on Friday, February 11th all to be held at the Boys and Girls Club in Ponemah, MN. Allen Hardy will be his Spiritual Advisor. Helping to lay Ralph to rest are Samuel Kingbird, Willard Kingbird, Jr., Perry White, Jr., Dewayne Iceman, Kelly Iceman, and Andrew Spears. Alternate pallbearers are Elias Dow, Scott Kingbird, Spencer Iceman. His honorary pallbearers are Vicky Spears, Nicholas Spears, Khylia "Whitney" Spears, Donte Spears, Rhylia Spears, Mandi Kingbird, Marie Spears, Jared Spears, Doug Jourdain, Phyllis Iceman, Kenneth (Olive) Iceman, Darrell (Janice) Iceman, Ervin (Sherilyn) Iceman, Ronald Martin, Carol (John) Barret, Percy (Gwen) Spears, Jr., Gary (Shirley) Spears, Diane Spears, Elise White, Donna (Mitchell) Taylor from Asheville, NC, Tevaugn Stillday, Taylor (Bessie) Brown, Richard (Lonna) Street, Tharen Iceman, Karen Martin, Kayla Kingbird, Kaylee "Rae" Spears, Georgia White, all his grandchildren, nieces, nephews and all the Red Lake/Ponemah EMT Staff. Interment will be in the Iceman Family Burial Grounds at Ponemah, MN.

Ralph's care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be left at http://www.northernpeace.com

Services

Wake

Wednesday

February 9, 2022

1:00 PM

Ponemah Boys and Girls Club

Ponemah, Minnesota

Traditional American Indian Service

Friday

February 11, 2022

11:00 AM

Ponemah Boys and Girls Club

Ponemah, Minnesota