Nancy T. Fairbanks

     Nancy Theresa Fairbanks was born on March 6, 1937 to Thomas Leith and Gladys LaRoque in White Earth, MN. Nancy peacefully died in her sleep at Bagley Medical Center on September 11.  She grew up in Roy Lake/Naytahwaush and Cass Lake before moving to Minneapolis as a teenager. She was united in marriage to Herman S. Fairbanks, Jr., and they had four children. During the Indian ‘Relocation’ period they relocated to California, Wisconsin, Ohio, and Iowa before moving to Minneapolis. In 1979 she moved back to the Cass Lake/Bemidji area, where she worked for tribal and federal governments for many years. Nancy spent the last two years of her life under the great care of the staff at the Jourdain-Perpich Extended Care Center in Red Lake, MN.

     She liked dogs, bingo, crosswords, painting, dancing, thrift shops, watching golf, and was an avid Minnesota Twins and Vikings fan. She was also a big fan of country singer Conway Twitty and once got to meet him after a concert.  She was also a breast cancer survivor, donated a kidney to a younger sister, and helped raise her oldest grandson and oldest great granddaughter.  Nancy especially enjoyed playing card games, ‘home bingo’ and joking and laughing with her sisters, nieces, daughters, friends, and other family members.

     Nancy is survived by son Devery, grandchildren Melvin, Joseph, Derek, Kyle, Sandra, Thomas, Caitlin, and Evan, 12 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews, including beloved nieces Debbie, Vala, Wally, and Laurie.  She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, children Tamara, Thomas, and Guy, and sisters’ Sandra, Delores, Maxine, and Margaret, and three nieces.  Peace and blessings to her soul in heaven.

     The Wake will begin at 5:00 p.m. on Tuesday, September 15, 2020 at the Leech Lake White Earth Office in Cass Lake and will continue until the service at 1:00 p.m. at St. Charles Catholic Church in Cass Lake with Father Kuriakose Nediakala officiating.  Interment will be at Pine Grove Cemetery in Cass Lake. Casketbearers will be: Richard Sundahl, Calvin Sargent, Melvin Clark, Joseph Clark, Kyle Fairbanks, and Thomas Fairbanks, Jr.  Alternate Casketbearers will be:  Alden Fairbanks, Sr., and Evan Henry.  Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker, MN (www.whisperingpinesnorth.com).

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