Thelberta Lussier

Thelberta Ann Lussier, Zhooniya Gaabawikwe, Bear Clan, passed away peacefully in her sleep on the night of Tuesday, August 1st 2023 in Roseville, Minnesota. Thelberta was born to Rose Lussier (King) and Isadore Lussier on Monday, October 31st 1938 in Red Lake, Minnesota. She was the second eldest of her siblings and was raised on the reservation.

Thelberta attended nursing school in Albuquerque, New Mexico. During this time, she lost her father in a car accident. This event was very impactful, as she was very close to her father. She married Walter Graves Jr. and had four children: Gregory “Busch” Graves, Carmen Annette Graves, Gloreen “Kay” Graves, and Walter “Danny” Graves III. They raised them in Red Lake after which Thelberta and Walter divorced, and she moved with her children to Minneapolis to start fresh. Thelberta worked as a nurse in the Minneapolis area for several years and met her significant other Warren “Tib” Paquette. After building a community in Minneapolis and helping to raise her grandchildren, she purchased a home in Cohasset, Minnesota in 1999 near her family bait store business venture on the Leech Lake reservation. She lived in Cohasset, MN until her death.

Thelberta was an amazingly charismatic woman. She had a nurturing heart and a caring spirit. She welcomed many people into her family with her warm smile and earth moving laugh. She opened her home up to her grandchildren and relatives who needed a good meal or visit. Thelberta was a world-renowned frybread maker and a devoted fan of soap operas including Young and the Restless. Her baking skills were exquisite, as she could make delicious homemade buns and cinnamon rolls from scratch. She was a loving mother and grandmother to many grandchildren and even great-grandchildren. Her house always felt like home to anyone who needed to feel safe for a little while from the crazy world we all live in. She would always greet visitors with a hug and a fresh pot of coffee.

Grandma Thel took pride in doing laundry, almost to perfection. Everything she washed smelled beautiful and was folded precisely. She loved her sisters and enjoyed traveling to the casino to play her “old lady money.” Thelberta loved so many people in her time on earth and so many lives were touched by the kindness she had in her heart for everyone she met. She was very witty and could always make us laugh. We will miss your laugh forever Thelberta. Her legacy of love, ambition, kindness, connection, and family will live on through her grandchildren and descendants to come in future generations.

She is preceded in death by her grandmother Nina King, father Isadore Lussier, mother Rose Lussier, daughter Gloreen Graves, son Gregory Graves, sister Almeda Lussier, daughter Carmen Green, and grandson Mark Green and several relatives who have passed on before her.

She is survived by her life partner, Warren Paquette, sisters Doyla Lussier, Barbara Vasquez, and Jackie Defoe, brother Lamont Lussier, son Walter Graves (Robyn). Grandchildren Nicholas and Kristina Graves, Deanna StandingCloud and Shannon Green, Tyrone and Contessa Cabrera, Bionca, Brandon, Devin, Danny, Cheyanne, and Aaliyah Graves. Several great-grandchildren Veda, Tristian, Clarissa, Nicholas, Lola, Maliyah, Breanna, Nigozis, Ziigwan, Kota, Ava, Indigo, Devany, Ogimaakwe, Delilah, Dalaney, Faith, Brandon, and Christopher.

 The wake will begin at 5PM on Tuesday, August 8, 2023, at the Redby Community Center in Redby and continue until the service at 1PM on Wednesday, August 9, 2023 with Father John Christenson officiating. Pallbearers will be: Brandon Graves, Devin Graves, Danny Graves III, Nigozis Gonzalez, Kota Cronin, Jeremy Hernandez, Justin Auginash, Jamie Auginash, Clayton Strong, Simon Roybal, Brian Vasquez, Frankie Defoe, Joe Strong, Gary Dudley and Colin Roybal. Honorary casketbearers will be: Angela White, Carol Whitefeather, Benny Roybal, Linda Hernandez, Steven StandingCloud, Nancy Kingbird, Shalah Kingbird, Ahgahshee Michaud, Tina Roybal, Lisa Defoe, Valerie Vasquez, and Michelle Auginash. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery in Red Lake, MN. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service of Walker & Hackensack, MN.

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