Beatrice Mitchell

Beatrice “Bea” Mitchell, 70 year old resident of Onamia, MN died on Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at the St. Cloud Hospital. A Funeral Ceremony will be held at 10:00 AM on Saturday, February 11, 2012 at the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe Community Center on the Mille Lacs Reservation with Lee Staples officiating. Visitation will begin at 5:00 PM on Friday, February 10, 2012 at Bea’s residence: 16393 Atooban Drive, Onamia, MN 56359. Burial will be in Vineland Burial Grounds. Arrangements are with the Shelley Funeral Chapel of Onamia. Bezhigwewidamookwe, Beatrice “Bea” (Sam) Mitchell was born on June 26, 1941 in Cloquet, Minnesota to Fred Sam, Sr. and Maggie Noonday. She attended and graduated from St. Benedict. Bea and Tuggo eloped on December 26, 1959. They made their first home in Mille Lacs. After their home burned down, the couple moved to Minneapolis to find work. While there, a new program was started with the Mille Lacs Band for job relocation, so the family moved to San Francisco. After a while, Bea got lonesome for her family and moved back home to Mille Lacs. From her marriage, they were blessed with nine children. She was a homemaker and Tuggo worked to support his family. When times got tough, Bea started working various jobs from bookkeeper, teacher, factory worker, Grand Casino beverage server, and finally settled in as the District One Community Center Coordinator for the Mille Lacs Band. When Bea lost her husband, she was happy to have him visit her in her dreams. Bea always talked about how much she loved and missed him. She enjoyed going to the casino, hosting family gatherings, and meeting new friends. Bea was a respected Elder in the community and will be greatly missed by her loving, devoted family and many wonderful friends. Bea is survived by her daughters, Doreen Mitchell of Onamia, MN, Debbie (Jade) Mitchell of Garrison, MN, Lori (Greg) Benjamin of Wahkon, MN, Amy (Kevin) LaDue of Onamia, MN, Beth (Travis) Mitchell of Onamia, MN; sons, Robert (Barb) Mitchell of Onamia, MN, Alan (Chris) Mitchell of Onamia, MN; brothers, Doug Sam of Onamia, MN, Fred Sam, Jr. of Onamia, MN; sister, Lorena Gahbow of Onamia, MN; 21 grandchildren; 25 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews. Bea was preceded in death by her husband, James “Tuggo” Mitchell; parents, Fred Sam, Sr. and Maggie Noonday; daughters, Shelley Mitchell, Cari Mitchell; brothers, Bruce Sam, Ronald Sam; grandson, Lydell Mitchell; granddaughters, Ruby Doust, and Naomi Mitchell.

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Beatrice Mitchell

June 26, 1941 - February 7, 2012