Genevieve Elizabeth Hanks

Maadagaak, Genevieve Elizabeth Hanks, Mikinaak Clan, age 74, entered the spirit world on May 24, 2022.  Genevieve was the daughter of Eunice Whitebird-Cobenais and Earl Bruce and was born on December 28, 1947 in Cass Lake, MN.  She was raised and grew up in Onigum, MN, and attended school in Walker, MN, and later attended college at the Bemidji Vocational Technical College. She worked a number of years for the Leech Lake Headstart and later retired. She moved to her reservation in Fond du Lac, Cloquet, MN where she resided until her passing.  Genevieve enjoyed going to the casino and playing bingo, having family get togethers was her favorite, going to powwows and camping, and visiting with her friends, whom she had lots of. She was very outgoing, very giving; if you asked for anything she would do it for you.   

Genevieve will be lovingly remembered by her husband Lawrence G. Hanks; children: Darryl (Jane) Bruce of Cass Lake, MN, Brenda (Ken) Rice of Onigum, MN, and Kenneth (Desirae) Fox, Jr of Callaway, MN; special niece who she raised Angel Petite (Matt) of Cloquet, MN; brother John Whitebird (Wendy) of Onigum, MN; sister Karen Whitebird of Detroit Lakes, MN; grandchildren Joe (Maria) Bruce, Tasha (Kris) Cloud, Michael Fox, Forrest (Kat) Bruce, Brittany Fox, Anthony Wright, Vanessa Fox, Cassandra Wright, Jessica Wright, Jonathan (Naomi) Wright, Amber Fox, Aleisha Fox, and Kenneth Fox III; 29 dearly loved great-grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews; special cousin, who was like her sister, Ethel Bruce of Minneapolis MN; and many other loved ones.

Genevieve was preceded in death by her parents, her baba and myb, her little sister Mary Jane Cobenias, nephews Marcel Norcross and Robert Bueno Jr, and niece Cheryl Norcross and many other family and special friends. 

A traditional wake for Genevieve will begin Friday, May 27, 2022, at 5:00pm, at the Onigum Community Center, Onigum, MN, and will continue until her service at 10:00am on Saturday, May 28. Rick Defoe will serve as spiritual advisor. Pallbearers caring for her will be Ken Rice, Forrest Bruce, Kris Cloud, Jon Whitebird, Joseph Bruce, and Judd Brown, with alternates Jonathan Wright, Mukwa Whitebird and Dee Bellanger.  Honorary Pallbearers will be Ethel Bruce, Evie Monroe, Kathy Frazer, Kim Fohrenkam, Dawn Barney, Dixie Dibble, and all of her nieces and nephews. Burial will be in the Old Agency Cemetery, Onigum, Minnesota. In keeping with the family’s request, please send only live plants and not cut flowers.

Genevieve’s care has been entrusted to Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker, Minnesota, serving Northern Minnesota.

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