Mary Howes Blackwell “Bakineyaashiikwe” (Winning Soaring Woman), 63, of Bemidji MN, passed away on Wednesday, September 23, 2020, in Fargo, ND. Mary was born October 8, 1956, at Saint Mary’s in Duluth, MN. She was raised in Duluth and was a 1975 graduate of Duluth Central High School. She started her family and moved to Grand Portage to raise them. Mary was a loving mother, grandmother, sister, auntie, and friend to many. She was very active in the community with the Local Indian Education Committee and all her son’s activities. She could be found at football, basketball, and softball fields all across Minnesota. Her real passion for life came in the form of her grandchildren. Affectionately known as Grammy by her grandchildren, she lived to spend time with them and support them in their endeavors.

Mary was preceded in death by her parents, William B Howes II and Katherine L Howes; brother, Edward Howes; and sister, Nancy Howes. Mary is survived by her children, Bill, Charlie (Shannon), and J.R.; her grandchildren Jazzmin, Dyami, TJ, Denali, Brady, and Nikaan; and sisters, Carol, Margaret, and Patty.

A traditional service will be held outside the Fond du Lac Cultural Resource Center at 111 Brevator Road in Cloquet beginning at 3pm, Saturday, September 26, followed by a traditional burial on Sunday, September 27, at 10:00am. Pallbearers will be Jacob Dunlap, Tom Howes, Bill Howes, Bobby King, Caleb Dunlap, Jared Dunlap, and Dyami Blackwell.

Arrangements are being provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, Walker, MN, serving northern Minnesota.