Michelle Lee Pemberton

Michelle Lee Pemberton, “Ozawanakwadkwe” Yellow Cloud Woman, age 46, of Red Lake, MN, passed away on Wednesday, March 31, 2021 in Bemidji, MN.

Michelle was born on February 6, 1975 in Red Lake, MN to Carla May and Ron White. Michelle grew up and attended school in Red Lake.  She also attended Wahpeton and Flandreau boarding schools where she made lots of her friends.  In the past few years, Michelle had taken an interest in her Native American heritage and had embraced ceremonial and traditional ways.  In 2014, she lost her son, James, to suicide.  The loss of her son prompted Michelle to begin working towards becoming a speaker for suicide prevention.  She was a trusted mother figure in the community and reached out to those in need.  Michelle loved music, especially monster rock ballads.  Above all, she loved being a grandma and enjoyed spending time with her three grandchildren.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children:  Aeryn (Jalen Jones, Sr.) Drouillard, Edyn (Emilio Mendoza) Drouillard and Stephan May; parents:  Carla May and Ron (Darla O’Claire”) White; step-father, Arnold Pemberton, Jr., her grandmother, Betty Parkhurst;  three grandchildren:  Jalen, Jr., Markus and Jaymzee; siblings:  Rochelle Strong, Brent (Charity) Pemberton, Sr., Jessica (Randy) May Sayers, Harold (Aleisha Jourdain) White, Barbara (Gerry King) Pemberton ,LeEllen (Jordan Lussier) Pemberton, Misty White and Stephanie (Brandon Beaulieu) Pemberton, special aunties:  Tanya, Danielle and Angela White, as well as numerous other relatives and friends.

Joining Michelle in the spirit world are: her son, James Drouillard IV; grandparents: Harold “H.R.” White Sr., Margaret “Blush” May and Phillip “Mickey” May, Sr., a sister, Nicole O’Claire ; Vern May; her aunt, Georgia Roy, Marilayne May, Kevin “Tix” Head, special friends, Dar Neadeau, Dar Good, Jenna Stone and many other numerous friends.

A traditional wake will begin at 1:00 P.M. on Monday, April 5, 2021 at the New Red Lake Center in Red Lake and will continue until the service at 11:00 A.M. on Tuesday, April 6, 2021. The Spiritaul Leader will be Arnold Kingbird. Casketbearers will be Harold White, Jalen Jones, Sr., Shawn May, Jr., Gerry King, Bob Neadeau, Jr., Delbert Lasely, Jordan Lussier and Duane Neadeau Honorary casketbearers will be: Harold “H.R.” White III, Eileen Sayers, Anne Neadeau, Lori Lemieux, Wendy Wolfe, Aurora Conley, Kari Cook, Kristie Desjarlait, Scooby Lagrew, Suki Bailey, Shannon Roberts and Marissa Johnson “and all her boys”.  Burial will be at St. Marys Cemetery in Red Lake.  Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service (www.whisperingpinesnorth.com).

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