Ellen Jean Adams

Ellen Jean Adams, age 86, began her journey to the spirit world on Thursday, September 19, 2024 at her home in Bemidji, Minnesota. Ellen was born on February 23, 1938 in Nett Lake (Sugar Bush), Minnesota to Henry Goodsky Sr and Helen (Burnside) Goodsky Strong. She grew up in Sugar Bush and attended Orr School. She married Allen Adams in Fort Frances, Ontario, Canada. She taught at Head Start in Nett Lake and went on to pursue her education at Bemidji State University later in life. Her dream became a reality when she began her career as a Kindergarten Teacher at the Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School for 40 years. Ellen loved bingo, basketball, baseball, the Vikings, powwows and she was a jingle dress dancer. In earlier years, to make extra money on summer breaks from school, she had a food stand at the powwows. Her strength, determination and resilience helped her through the challenges she encountered during in life.

Ellen is survived by daughters Fran King and Sharon Adams; 16 grandchildren; 47 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great grandchildren; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Henry Goodsky Sr and Helen (Burnside) Goodsky Strong; sisters Bonnie Guenthner, Donna Smith, Diane Morrison, Cindy Councillor and Alma Lumbar; and brothers Eugene Goodsky and Hank (Whiz) Goodsky; and grandsons Leondre Adams and Nolan Windigo.

A wake will begin at 7 PM on Monday, September 23, 2024 at the Mission Community Center (the Old Bug-O-Nay-Ge-Shig School) in Cass Lake, MN and continue until the service at 10 AM on Tuesday, September 24, 2024 with Spiritual Leader Allen Hardy. Active Pallbearers will be Nathan King Jr, Ernie Jay Morrison Jr, Victor Morrison, Chad Smith, Dillon Smith, Paxton Goodsky, Gavin King and Todd Goodwin Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Vanessa Adams, Teresa Adams, Krysta King-Merrick, Desirae Smith, Kim Councillor, Lorenzo White, Teryn Adams, Mia Lussier and Sadie Seelye. Burial will be at Sugar Bush Family Burial Grounds in the Nett Lake Reservation.

Arrangements by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, Minnesota.

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