Corinne (Corky) Auginash

Corinne (Corky) Auginash

January 14, 1949 ~ March 7, 2023

Corinne Marie (Starke) Auginash, age 74 of Bemidji, MN, formerly of Redby, MN, was called home to Heaven to be with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, on Tuesday March 7, 2023.

Corinne (Corky) Auginash was born near Chicago, Illinois on January 14, 1949 to Helmut and Lydia Starke. Corky was raised and educated in the Chicago area. She received her nursing education in Traverse City, Michigan. Corky had vacationed in the Bemidji area with her family as a child and found a position for a registered nurse on the Red Lake Indian Reservation which she was excited about. She started working for Indian Health Service at the old Red Lake Hospital in 1972 and lived in the old nurse's quarters with two other nurses that would become her friends for the rest of her life (Anna Bankey (husband James) and Carlene Cloud (husband Ken). )

Corky married Darrell Glen Auginash in August of 1975. She remained his devoted wife until he died September 1, 2015. They made their first home near Redby, MN and later built a log home near Turtle River, MN. Corky enjoyed accompanying her husband on his many adventures in the outdoors and in Christian ministries. They camped, fished, spent time in the sugar bush, cooked outdoors for crowds, traveled, visited friends and attended Christian gatherings. Their favorite trip was to the Holy Land in Israel.

Corky transferred from IHS to Red Lake Comprehensive Health Service on January 6, 1977 and worked in the clinics until January 30, 2015 when she retired to spend more time with her husband. She worked at both the Red Lake and Ponemah Clinics, spending most of her later years at the Ponemah Clinic which she loved. Corky was a good listener and loved the patients she was privileged to see. Corky made many friends with her co-workers.

Corky was a true believer in Jesus Christ and loved her Lord and Savior. She prayed regularly for family and friends. She was an avid reader, reading the Bible, Christian books, and novels. She attended church regularly at the Redby Lutheran Brethren Mission which later became the Redby Community Church, at the Covenant church in Bemidji and most recently at the Evangelical Free Church in Bemidji. Corky loved playing guitar and singing gospel songs. She sang in the church choir, volunteered at the food shelf and Oak Hills Christian College events. Corky was a generous donor to many Christian organizations.

Corky was part of the Ken and Carlene Cloud family and spent the last few months of her life in the Fergus Falls area near them. She enjoyed the Cloud children and grandchildren. Corky also had a very special place in her heart for her nephew Chad Auginash, who lived for a time with she and Darrell. She prayed for him and loved him.

Those welcoming Corky home to her new life in heaven are her husband Darrell, 2 infant sons, her parents, and many other family and friends.

Survivors include: Bothers: Fred Starke (Ann) of Winnepeg, Manitoba, two nephews, Ken Starke (Carol) of Wanesboro, Virginia and two nieces. The Auginash family: Roxanne and Darrell Johnson, Mitch and Rochelle Johnson, Mary and Tom Charnoski Sr., Susan, Bill and Phyllis Auginash, Fred and Bridget Auginash, Trudy and Darryl Kingbird, the late Ardell Tikayne family and many nephews and nieces.

Friends: Carlene and Kenny Cloud and family, Janice Mindinger, Anna and Jim Bankey, Connie Jorgenson, Tracy Brower, Barb Thomas and co-workers at the Ponemah and Red Lake clinics, Steve and Bonnie Hansen, Tom and Becky Pollock, Marsha Smith, Barb Maxwell, Adam and Katrina Gregor, Betty Goose and other friends that may not be mentioned here.

A graveside service will take place on Saturday April 15, 2023 at 11:00 AM. at her husband's grave. Ashes will be interred at the Red Lake Catholic Cemetery alongside her husband. Steve Hanson will officiate.

A light luncheon will follow at the Redby Community Church.