Donald Jay Wind Sr

Donald "Donquish" Jay Wind Sr, Bezhigoo Gabo, Bear Clan, age 79, began his journey to the spirit world on Wednesday, September 17, 2025 in Bemidji, MN. 

Donald was born on January 7, 1946 to Carl Wind and Josephine Critt. He and Karyn were married on September 2, 1989, but had been in love and together for 60 years. Donald enjoyed trips to the casino to try his luck on the Keno machines, attending powwows, visiting with friends and family, cooking, family get-togethers and hosting holiday meals. He looked forward to attending traditional ceremonies, caring for his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, loved working on cars and was always fixing something. He was a lifelong mechanic that would help anyone with any car issues. Donald had a great sense of humor and loved making people laugh and playing guitar. In his younger years, he worked and built race cars and enjoyed going to races.

Donald is survived by children: Sheila (Fineday) Lyons, Darlene Wind, Cheryl Secola; grandchildren: Lisa Fineday-Fisher, Melissa (Eli) Raisch, Daress (Daisy) Graves; and great-grandchildren:  Amira A. White, Tori L. White, Don-Don J. Brown; several more great-grandchildren; and sister: Darlene Wind.

He is preceded in death by his beloved wife, Karyn Wind, who began her journey just a few days earlier; parents: Carl Wind and Josephine Critt; son: Donald J. “Fudd” Wind Jr; special son: Codi Brown; brothers: Dean Wind, Ronald Wind Sr., John Wind Sr.; granddaughters: Leigh Fineday, Adryn Kinchen-Wind; and great grandsons: King Wakanabo and Jacob Fineday-Blue.

A traditional wake will begin at 5 PM on Saturday, September 20, 2025 at the Cass Lake All-Veteran’s Memorial Building and will continue until the service at 10 AM on Monday, September 22, 2025 with Spiritual Leader Mike Dahl. Active Pallbearers will be Ronald Wind Jr., Tony Wind, Ivan Wind, Charles Wind, Fabian Wind, Reggie Wind, Tony Fineday, Anthony Kinchen. Honorary Pallbearers will be John Wind Jr., John Charnoski Sr., Melvin Goodman, Mick Finn, Sandra Littlewolf, Darlene Wind (sister), Sharon Northbird, Cathy Howard, Glen “Tuffy” Fisher, Jackie Charwood, Marilyn Wind, Diane Fineday, Gordon Fineday, Robert “Rob” Fineday, Carol Charnoski.  Burial will be at Porcupine Lane Cemetery in Cass Lake (Mission), MN. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, serving Northern Minnesota.

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