Eugene "Jiggy" Strong

Eugene William “Jiggy” Strong age 91, Bear Clan, of Coppercity, Redby, Minnesota passed away on Monday, July 13, 2026. He was born in Red Lake, Mn on March 14, 1935 and was the son of John Strong and Josephine “Josie” (Jourdain) Strong.

Jiggy was a high school graduate of Red Lake, graduating in May of 1953. He enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1953 and proudly served his country around the world, including North Africa and Morocco, until his honorable discharge in 1957.

He loved traveling to powwows every summer with his sister, Viola. He loved spending time with family, family dinners, birthdays, with all his nieces and nephews.

Watching all his great nephews and nieces in the powwow circle, watching the Vikings and Twins games. Loved country music & his favorite powwow drums, Red Lake Singers & Ponemah Ramblers.

He held various jobs in Seattle, Chicago and Minneapolis before he returned home to work for the Red Lake School District where he retired in 1998.

He was a gentleman in the truest sense and loved to joke around and laugh with anyone. He was also a generous, caring and fun loving man. He was a firm strong believer in his Catholic faith.

Those that have passed before Jiggy are his parents, John and Josie Strong; sisters, Bernice Jourdain, Viola Cournoyer, Brothers; Fabian Strong and Robert Strong, Nephew; David Cournoyer, Sr., Anthony Strong, Sr., Niece; Romilda Andrade; Great-nephews; Brian Cournoyer, Roger Strong, Jr., Rodney Cournoyer and Clinton Donnell, Jr.; Karson Neadeau; Great-Niece; Brandi Lynn Strong, Special long-time friend, Pat Brown.

Those Jiggy leaves behind to forever cherish his memory are his Nieces and Nephews who he thought of as his own children: Jean (Herman) Donnell of Redby, Rose Cournoyer of Bemidji, Debbie Cournoyer of Bemidji, Marlys (Marvin) Stone of Bemidji, John (Patti) Cournoyer of Little Canada, Roger Strong of Redby, Ron (Patty) Cournoyer of Cass Lake, Darrell (Dawn) Cournoyer of Redby & Marilee Strong of Red Lake; love of his life, Judy Faymoville of Bemidji and numerous great nieces and nephews.

A wake will begin at 3PM on Saturday, July 18, 2026 at the Redby Community Center and continue until the service at 2PM on Monday, July 20, 2026 with Father Tom officiating. Active pallbearers will be: Douglas Colhoff Jr, Clinton Donnell, Justin Donnell, Marvin Stone, Shiloh Williams, Tyler Cournoyer, Jeremy Cournoyer, Jessie Cournoyer, Dylan Strong, Timmy White, Dave Cournoyer Jr, Michael Roy, Robbie Cournoyer. Honorary pallbearers will be: Francis “Tubby” Lawrence, Tom May, Phillip “Potsy” May, Sandra Brown, Annette Brown, Willy Strong, Mavis Strong, Allen Brown, Kathy Johns, Rita Weise, Floyd Jourdain Jr, Elaine Johnson, Thelma May, Herman Strong, Floyd Jourdain Sr, Jackson Smith, Roberta Spears, Alberta Mountain, Charlotte Monette, Herman Donnell, Gus Strong, Jenna Roy. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Red Lake, MN. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service.

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