- Date Of Birth: January 28, 1946
- Date Of Death: November 14, 2021
- State: Minnesota
Leonard “Jess” Headbird, Jr., “Mikinaak” which means “Turtle”, 75, of the Bear Clan and from Cass Lake, Minnesota began his journey to the spirit world on Sunday, November 14th, 2021, at Abbott Northwestern Hospital in Minneapolis, MN. He was born to Katherine (Belcourt) and Leonard Headbird, Sr. in Cass Lake, MN on Monday, January 28th, 1946.
Jess loved to spend time with his huge, beautiful family. He enjoyed hunting, jamming with his brother’s band Red Cedar Lake, watching his nephews drive stock cars and following the Cass Lake-Bena Basketball team. He loved being on the powwow trail and his traditional ceremonies. He was always willing to help anyone in need. Jess was cracking jokes every chance he got and always had a smile on his face or was laughing. He enjoyed driving around with his wife and baby girl Melanie. They would travel anywhere to let her see animals and bring her on new adventures. Jess was a kind, strong and amazing man that we all loved and will cherish always. He will be missed by every person that has met him.
Family that welcomes Jess to the spirit world are his son; Pete Headbird, parents; Katherine and Leonard Headbird, Sr., grandparents; Charlie and Sarah Headbird, brothers; Gordon “Gabby” and Charles “Chuck” Headbird, sister; Gloria Wind, several aunts, uncles and friends.
Those left behind to carry on Jess’ legacy are his wife, Andrea Headbird of Cass Lake, children; Vincent Parks of Salem, MO, Lenny (Maddie) Parks, Dennis Brown, Jeffrey Brown, Donald (Sarah) Headbird, Bob (Dawn) Jaspers, Tina Headbird, Jesse (Salone) Headbird, Jessica (Melvin) Headbird all of Cass Lake, Jacob (Alexis) Headbird of Bemidji, David (Calvin) Otremba of Cass Lake, James (Denise) Otremba of Wisconsin, Kelly and Andrianna Whipple both of Cass Lake, brothers; Donald “Donnie” (Nikki) Headbird of Cass Lake, Melvin (Shelly) Goodman of Pennington and Randy Finn of Cass Lake, special granddaughter; Melanie Rose, many grandchildren and great grandchildren, other relatives and his friends.
