Bernice Buckanaga

Bernice Frances Buckanaga, age 79, of Mahnomen, formerly of Ponsford, passed away on Monday, February 1, 2016, in Detroit Lakes. A funeral service will be at 2:00 pm on Friday, February 5, 2016, at the new Pine Point School in Ponsford. A visitation will begin at 7:00 pm on Thursday, February 4, at the Pine Point School and will continue until the time of the funeral service. A burial will follow the service at Breck Memorial Episcopal Cemetery in Ponsford. Bernice was born on November 11, 1936, to Clarence and Louise (Johnson) Clark in White Earth, Minnesota. She attended school in Flandreau, South Dakota. She went on to earn her G.E.D. On January 22, 1960, she was married to Melvin "Buddub" Buckanaga in Detroit Lakes. Together they lived in Minneapolis where she worked as a professional maid. After returning to Pine Point, she received her teaching certificate, and she taught for the Head Start Program for 25 years. She went on to work for the Elder Nutrition Program, where she enjoyed cooking, until her retirement in 2009. In retirement she enjoyed going to the casino. She was fond of dancing and Pow Wows. She loved spending time with her family: enjoyed listening to the Smokey Hills Drum Group, attending the events of her great grandchildren, playing poker, and dance-offs. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends.



She is survived by her children: Melvin (Celeste)Buckanaga of Mahnomen, MN, Michael Buckanaga (Pattie) of Mahnomen, MN, Patrick (Rosita) Buckanaga of Detroit Lakes, Diane Buckanaga of Mahnomen, MN, Evelyn(Jim)Buckanaga of Mahnomen, MN, and Bill (Betty) Cusey of Hot Springs, AR; siblingss, Cleo (Dell) Jones of Cass Lake, Edith "Babe" (Frank) Smith of Cass Lake, Diane (John) Goodman of Cass Lake, Mary Lou Clark of Cass Lake, Edith Smith of Ponsford, Betty (John Pete) Robbins of Ponsford, Barb Clark of Ponsford, Missy Clark of Ponsford, Douglas Clark of Ponsford, Clarence Clark Jr. of Ponsford; a son-in-law, Scot Blaine; many grandchildren; great grandchildren; and nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her husband, Melvin; her parents, Clarence and Louise; a sister, Evelyn Thompson; a daughter, Wanda Louise Blaine "Waabomanikwe"; a grandson, Travis "Travey" Buckanaga; a great grandchildren, Braydon Buckanaga and Jessilyn Black-Buckanaga.

Funeral Home: David Donehower Funeral Home 609 Hwy 10 East Detroit Lakes, MN US 56501

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Previous Events

Visitation
Thursday, February 4, 2016
Service
Friday, February 5, 2016
cemetery
Friday, February 5, 2016

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