Debra Jean Kingbird

Debra J. Kingbird, age 69, Migizi Clan, began her journey on Thursday, October 16, 2025 in Red Lake, MN.

Deb-i was born to Olive (Johnson) and Kenneth Kingbird on June 12, 1956 in Red Lake, MN. She graduated from Simley Senior High School in Inver Grove Heights in 1974 and Red Lake Nation College in 2024. Deb-i worked for Beltrami County Human Services for 20+ years and that position allowed her to help and build relationships with many people. Deb-i was the kind of person who gave everything she had to everyone around her, without asking for anything in return. She liked watching TV, playing solitaire and lottery, and was well-known for her frybread. She coached the Little Rock Co-ed Softball team for 27 years, which includes all her kids and grandkids.

Deb-i is survived by her children: Sons Gerald A. (Kimberly) Kingbird Sr., Andrew (Ashley) Kingbird Sr., Jason Graves, Harold “Sonny” Graves and special son Adam Kingbird and daughters Tracey L. (Jordan) Kingbird and Jasmine (Manuelita) Kingbird; grandkids: FaLeisha (James), Gerika (Cayden), TeAnndra, Gerald Jr. (Alexiah), Tyler (Bobbie-Jean), Aundraya, Andrew Jr., Ariel, Cambria (Dewayne), Jairdyn, Journey, Leah, Maya, Gozie, Ziibi, Marissa, Jordan, Mekal, Christian, Collin and Harold "Sonny Boy"; great-grandkids: Zayden, Arden, Cayani, Houston and Aiden.

She is preceded in death by parents: Olive and Kenneth; partner: Harold K. “Zob” Graves; daughters: Sheila Kingbird and Kristy Graves; siblings: Clayton, Michael, Kenneth Jr., Sandra, Lisa and Karen; granddaughters: Deja and Alyssa Graves; and many other relatives.

A one-night wake will begin on Thursday, October 23, 2025 at Noon and continue until the time of service on Friday, October 24, 2025 at 10 AM at the Red Lake Community Center with Mike Needham officiating. Active Pallbearers will be Zachary Kingbird, Kelly Kingbird Sr., Gerald A. Kingbird Jr., Tyler Brown, Andrew Kingbird Jr., James “Jimmy” Jourdain, Kelly Kingbird Jr., Harold “Sonny boy” Graves, Brayden Graves, Dewayne Lewis. Honorary Pallbearers will be Janet Roberts, Rita Weise, Sherilyn Neadeau, Elsie Thunder, Darlene “Jojo” Thunder, Susan Graves, Jennifer May, Wendy Johnson, Marlys Schoenborn, Donna Whitefeather, Patty Kingbird, Georgia Downwind, David Dudley Sr. Burial will be at the Graves Family Burial Grounds in Heart Lake, MN. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, serving Northern Minnesota.

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Debra Jean Kingbird, please visit our floral store.