Babaamaajimowinan (Telling of news in different places)

Harold Richard Donnell

Harold Richard Donnell

March 8, 1950 ~ May 17, 2022 (age 72)

Harold Richard Donnell "Gichi-anishinaabe" of the Eagle Clan, age 72, entered the spirit world on Tuesday, May 17, 2022, from his home in Red Lake.

Harold was born on March 8, 1950, in Red Lake to Louis and Jane (Lussier) Donnell. He graduated from Red Lake High School in 1968 and worked at various jobs until he attended law enforcement training in Brigham City, Utah. He served for 16 years as a federal police officer in Red Lake and other reservations across the United States. When he retired from law enforcement, he worked for the Red Lake Department of Natural Resources for many years until his retirement. Even then, Harold remained active as evidenced by his work with Joe Johnson to start a buffalo farm for the purpose of providing an additional nutritional food supply for the Reservation.

Harold was the father of six children who gave him nine grandchildren and one great-grandchild. He lived for his grandchildren who gave him great joy. He also loved to travel and camp with his kids. His traditional ways were very important to Harold, and for many years he was active in the Sundance Ceremonies, both at Red Lake and the Dakotas.

Harold will be lovingly remembered by his children Neoka (Simon) Roybal, Linda Donnell, Jill Donnell, Heather (Harley) Donnell, Marissa Feather, and Aiyanna Feather; grandchildren Vincent, Roderick (Angelica), Dezmyn, Kendrick, and Amelia Sayers; Kiah (Dean), Roderick and Raymond McKenzie; Andrew Donnell; and Brooklyn and Skye Roybal; great-granddaughter Loyalty Sayers; the mother of his children Mary Fayant; brothers Henry, Herman and Orlyn Donnell; and his aunt Veronica Hegstrom. He will be met in the spirit world by his parents Jane (Lussier) and Louis Donnell; brothers Willard, Leon, Lyle "Lavern", Llewellyn (Charlie), and Russell (Rusty) Donnell; sisters Bernadine Thunder, Sharon Barrett, and Peggy Young; and numerous nieces and nephews.

A wake for Harold will begin on Thursday, May 19, 2022, at 1:00pm, at the Redby Community Center, Redby, MN, and will continue until the service on Saturday, May 21, 2022, at 11:00AM. Joe Johnson and Ron Leith will serve as spiritual leaders. Casketbearers will be Roddy Sayers, Kendrick Sayers, Shannon Fonfenelle, Darren King, Shane Donnell, and Sean Donnell. Honorary casketbearers will be Anthony Nordwall, Sr., Bob Walker, Anthony Nordwall, Jr., Dezmyn Sayers, Roderick McKenzie, Sherry May, Kiah McKenzie, Raymond McKenzie, Amelia Sayers, Brooklyn Roybal, Daniel Cook, Vincent Sayers, Charlie and Nellie Charnoski, and Charlie Norris. Burial will follow in the Donnell Family Burial Grounds.

Arrangements are being provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker, Minnesota.

 

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