- Date Of Birth: December 6, 1963
- Date Of Death: February 21, 2022
- State: Minnesota
Lori Ann Stone-Gellings “Queenie Stone” of the Loon Clan and from Mahnomen, MN left this world on Monday, February 21st, 2022, to start her journey with these names, her last name was Nay-ah-beg “Sitting Woman”, her second name is Ogiimakwe and her first is Esiban.
Queenie was born in Minneapolis to Bernadine “Bernie” Stone and Trinidad Gardea on December 6th, 1963. She grew up in Minneapolis and spent much of her life on both the Leech Lake and the White Earth Reservations. She was known for her love for her family and all the babies that came into her life. She always seemed to have a big smile and a “hi, how you doing?” greeting. Her life was not known for quietness, one of her biggest joys was fighting for and defending her people across the Minnesota Chippewa tribal lands. She knew she had good teachers who helped her see how it could be argued.
Frank LaRose was like a brother to her, same as Rosanne, a sister, but to share her knowledge was her biggest accomplishment. Queenie especially enjoyed her time with family. She spent many years taking in family members. Many nieces and nephews grew up looking to her as “Ma”. Queenie also enjoyed making plans for get togethers and enjoyed seeing friends and family on the pow-wow trail. She was a traditional dancer on the same pow-wow trail, and she was proud to say that her children and grandchildren are carrying on this tradition too.
Lori was known as one hellava good frybread maker. She won a chili contest in the past and that chili is served in the smoke restaurant at the Shooting Star Casino. Queenie was also known for her beadwork and jewelry beadwork, who was taught by her mother and grandmother. She loved to listen to the stories her mom and family shared with her. But the one thing Lori was most proud of were her children. She loved how they were able to experience a more sustainable lifestyle. They were able to tap a maple and cook it down, netting for fish, berry picking, and hunting; but she loved their humor most; especially Jesse Lee’s.
Those left behind to forever cherish her memory are her children, Natasha (Dominic) Lafriniere of Mahnomen, Ginny Pedersen of Ponemah, Jesse Lee and James R. Gellings both of Mahnomen, Jennifer LaMorie of Bemidji, George Thompson, Jr. of Hastings and Harvey Nicholas, special grandson, Shannon Burnette “my world”; many grandchildren, great grandchildren; lifelong friend and husband, James E. Gellings; mother, Elizabeth “Peggy” Reese; sisters, Jerilynn (Boo) Reese of Onigum, Fena Reese of Superior, Marie Stone of Mahnomen, and Rena (Joe) Campbell of Hastings; brother, Jon Jay Stone, Sr. and Gordon Reese; special nieces, Justine (Rob) Stone, Sheena Marie Yellow and Michelle Brown; special nephews, Lorin, Moses and Apollo Stone and Armando Reese; special cousins, A.J., Joshua Jr. and Jeremiah Stone and so many other family members.
She is welcomed to the spirit world by her best friend and significant other, Thomas “Hoss” Headbird; parents, Bernadine Louis Stone and Trinidad Gamboa Gardea; sisters, Paulette Stone, Cheryle LaRose and Georgia Santerno; brothers, Lorin and Timothy Stone, Michael Fasthorse; grandmother, Sophie Helen Fairbanks; aunts, Geraldine, Maxine, Betty Ann, Seraphine, Darlene and Irene; uncles, Lou, William and Marvin and several more relatives.
