Ree Iikwa Ndawe Starr

Ree iikwa Ndawe Starr, age 27, died on May 19, 2026 at Sanford Bemidji Medical Center in Bemidji, MN.

Kwa was born on August 5, 1998 to Sharon Paddy and Dorvan Starr in Elmhurst, IL. She graduated From Red Lake High School in 2016. While she was still in high school, she received her CNA certificate and worked at Jourdain Perpich Extended Care Center for a while. She loved her puppy, Dunkin. She spent most of her time with family and friends. She especially enjoyed being an auntie to her nephews and nieces. She didn’t like to travel too far always staying close to home. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her and will never be forgotten.

Kwa is survived by her mom Sharon Paddy, her brothers Emilio Mendoza and Derek Paddy, her sisters Francisca Mendoza, Bianca Mendoza, Ria Paddy and Lorena Paddy, special sister Breanna Goodrider, special nieces Amaya Beaulieu and Angelina Paddy, and her fur baby Dunkin.

She is preceded in death by her father Dorvan Starr, maternal and paternal grandparents, and many other family and friends.

An overnight wake will begin at 4 PM on Monday, May 25, 2026 at the New Little Rock Community Center in Red Lake, MN, and will continue until her funeral services at 11 AM on Tuesday, May 26, 2026 with Father Tom Niehaus.  Active Pallbearers will be Emilio Mendoza, Dustin Stately, Dallas Martin, Wade Goodrider, Brenton Goodrider, Kacen Mendoza and alternate Robert Fier Jr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Roxanne Paddy, Dean Paddy, her brothers and sisters, Mandee Hayes, Michael Hayes, Melisa Hayes, Alaina Paddy, Kwa’s second moms Michelle Reynolds and Lisa Gunderson, sisters from another mother, Breanna Goodrider, Aaliyah Graves, Alyssa Bellanger, Alyssa Grolla, Sueann Crowe, Kareena Rainey, Breanna Rainey, Cherai Stately, Brittanny Reynolds, Latesha Reynolds, Angel Powers, Mary Owens, Ashlyn Reynolds, Chasity Goodrider. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Red Lake, MN. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, serving Northern Minnesota.

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