Vance James Benais

Vance James Benais, age 23, of Ponemah and the Eagle Clan, began his spiritual journey on Sunday, January 26, 2025 from the Villas of New Brighton, MN.

Vance began his earthly journey on April 4, 2001 in Bemidji, MN. He was born the son of Donna Greenleaf and Darcy Benais Sr.  Vance grew up in Ponemah and attended Ponemah Elementary School and later Red Lake High School. Vance loved his fur babies. He was a good student of learning the traditional ways and was a good teacher as well. He loved coloring and going for rides and choke cherry jam that his aunt made for him. Vance had a lot of Indian humor and sure could make people laugh. There was never a dull moment when he was around. He enjoyed his Star medicine liked collecting stones, walking in the woods, around the lake and to the end of the point in Ponemah. He loved to make Indian beadwork, singing and jamming out to music, especially Billie Eillish. He loved to spend time with his nieces and nephews and his smiling face will be forever missed by everyone who knew and loved him.

He will be lovingly remembered by his parents: Donna Greenleaf and Darcy Benais Sr.; brothers: Darcy Benais Jr, Fabian (Shauna) Rosebear Jr., Nicholas (Bethany) Rosebear; sister, Jerilyn (Evan) Rosebear; aunts: Hester Bialke, Tami (Jason) Cloud, Bernadine “Bean” Cloud, Jolene (Arlan) Cloud, Sylvia Wilson, Anita Benais, Romelle Benais, Cecelia Benais, Thea Ogema; uncles: Vinson Wilson, Delwyn Wilson, Joseph Ogema, Robert “Bob” Seki, Gary (Priscilla) Greenleaf; grandparents: Boogie (Shirley) Johnson, Peter Benais, Georgie Ogema, Bev (Gary) Johnson, Lois Johnson, Jane (Jim) Benais, Karen Benais, Shirley Barrett.

Family welcoming Vance to the great spirit world are his brothers: Darry Rosebear, James Benais; great-grandparents: Marcel and June Johnson Sr, Albert and Josephine Benais Sr, Lillian Greenleaf; grandparents: Albert Benais Jr, Wilbur Stillday, Lucy Greenleaf-Wilson, Roberta Greenleaf, Beverly Cloud, Judith Ann Greenleaf; cousins: Dylan “Dig” Cloud, Frankie Johnson; uncles: Thomas Johnson and Steven “Scup” Thunder.

A traditional wake will begin at 1 PM on Sunday, February 2, 2025 at the Ponemah Boys & Girls Club in Ponemah and continue until the service at 10AM on Tuesday, February 4, 2025 with Allen Hardy as spiritual leader. Active pallbearers will be: A-Jay Johnson, Andrew Cloud, Jordan Cloud, Bryce Cloud, Harley Johnson, Joey Johnson Sr., Larry Johnson, Logan Johnson and alternates: Fabian Rosebear Jr. and Nick Rosebear. Burial will be at the Johnson Family Burial Grounds in Ponemah. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service.

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