Bernice Bellanger

Bernice Bellanger

March 22, 1956 - April 03, 2022

Bernice “Bun” Bellanger, age 66, of rural Waubun, MN, died on Sunday, April 3, 2022, at her home under the loving care of family and Hospice of the Red River Valley.

Bernice Louise Keezer was born to Selim and Lorraine (Hubley) Keezer on March 22, 1956, in White Earth, MN. She attended school in Waubun and graduated with the class of 1975. Following graduation, Bun attended the Detroit Lakes Vo-Tech and achieved her Medical Secretary certificate. In 1975, she met Dean Bellanger and together they raised their family. Over the years, Bun’s working career consisted of many years at White Earth Headstart followed by 20+ years at White Earth Indian Health Services, where she was a great advocate for patient care especially for the elders. Her declining health forced her into retirement and to remain close to home. On October 31, 1992, Dean and Bernice made it official and were united in marriage at Elbow Lake Lutheran Church. They have continued to support and love each other through the ups and downs and make their house a welcoming home for their family and friends.

Bun will be remembered as the loving, caring and generous person that she was. She always had a smile on her face, willing to help anyone in need and she appreciated a good laugh. In her spare time, Bun enjoyed playing cards with her sisters, going to Bingo, taking her chance at the casino and attending pow wows. However, her most precious memories were times spent with family, especially all her grandchildren. She truly loved any family get togethers like cook outs at the lake, holidays with big meals or just time to visit. Bernice was a member of Elbow Lake Lutheran Church and during her working years, she was part of the White Earth IHS Union, was on the White Earth Housing Board and helped with the Johnson O’Malley Program. Although gone from this life to soon, she will live on in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Bernice leaves behind her husband, Dean, of rural Waubun; children: Rose (Dave MaGee) Bellanger of Naytahwaush, Andrea (Ramsey Gibbs) Bellanger also of Naytahwaush, Dean (Desiree Gourneau) Bellanger of Moorhead, MN, and Shawn Bellanger of rural Waubun; ten grandchildren: Alyssa Bellanger, Joshua Bellanger, Damian Gibbs, Marcus Gibbs, Kaydence Bellanger, Konnor Bellanger, Chandler Smith, Guss Light, Dominicque Oppegard, and Mariah Tibbetts; five great-grandchildren: Juaquin, Jaqlynn, Jaydah, Ja’ia and Ayaabe; four sisters: Rose (Doug) Fairbanks of Strawberry Lake, MN, Wanda Bevins of Waubun, Paula (Mark) Smith of White Earth, and Pauline (Scott) Keezer of rural Waubun; two brothers, David (Elaine) Keezer of White Earth and Melvin Keezer Jr. of Waubun; and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.

She was preceded in death by her parents; a granddaughter, Kayla MaGee; and five brothers: Robert, Kenneth, Selim, Michael and Guy Keezer.

Blessed be the memory of Bernice “Bun” Bellanger.

Funeral Services will be held at 1 :00 pm on Friday, April 8, 2022, at Elbow Lake Lutheran Church, Elbow Lake Village. Visitation will be held at the Dean and Bernice Bellanger Residence, rural Waubun on Thursday, April 7th beginning at 5:00 pm with prayers at 6:00 pm. Visitation will also continue one hour prior to the funeral at the church. Burial will be in the Vernon Anderson Memorial Cemetery.

Visitation

Dean & Bernice Bellanger Residence

Thursday, April 07, 2022

5:00 PM

3123 County Road 4

Waubun, MN 56589

Prayers at 6 pm

Funeral Service

Elbow Lake Lutheran Church

Friday, April 08, 2022

1:00 PM

N Elbow Lake Road

Waubun, MN 56589