Ione Estey, age 75, of Bemidji, MN, died Friday, September 25, 2009, at the Hennepin County Medical Center in Minneapolis, MN.


Ione Elizabeth Fairbanks was born July 3, 1934, in Mahnomen MN, the daughter of Herman and Annie (Murray) Fairbanks. She grew up in the village of Naytahwaush, on the White Earth reservation. As a teenager, Ione moved with her family to the Twin Cities. Ione graduated from High School at Columbia Heights, MN. In 1953, Ione married Patrick Estey, and they had five children. Pat died in 1964. As a widow, Ione raised their five childlaren; Denise, Charles, Carrie, Patrick and Steve in the Bemidji area. Ione continued to make her home in Bemidji and attended Detroit Lakes Vocational school, studying cooking and the Bemidji Vocational school for the secretarial program. Ione later worked for the Minnesota Chippewa Tribe and State Farm Insurance as a bookkeeper and secretary.


Ione always welcomed people into her life and she happily welcomed her extended family into her home. She cherished relationships with her niece Faith and granddaughters, Joanna, Clarissa, Leila, Roxanne, and Autumn. She enjoyed spending time with all of her family. She loved to take time to play a game of cards with family and friends. She touched so many hearts!

Ione believed in a good education and was active with St. Phillips Catholic Church in Bemidji. She was a passionate advocate for the sainthood of Kateri Tekakwitha. She was also very dedicated to her Elders and often cared for them in their homes. Ione shared many special gifts with others, even teaching many people how to drive. She was a fabulous cook and baker, who was known for her pies. She enjoyed gardening, and loved to can and freeze her vegetables, meat and berries.

Ione is survived by her four sons; Charles (Gina) of LaMarque, TX., Patrick (Crystal) Jr. of Cass Lake, MN, Steven (Char) of Bemidji, and Timothy (Angie) of Shevlin; two daughters, Denise (John) Lindquist of Mounds View, MN and Carrie Estey of Bemidji; 16 grandchildren; 15 great grandchildren; two brothers: Joseph Fairbanks Sr. of Red Wing, MN and Lyle Fairbanks of Minneapolis; two sisters; Lois (Goodwin) Jacobs and Jackie (Jack) Fairbanks, both of Bemidji; and special friend Robert Narum of Shevlin, MN.

She was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Patrick Estey, Sr.; four brothers: Herschel, Juel, Everett "Ejick" and Herman; one sister, Shirley Keezer-Coleman; and a dear nephew, Chris Goodwin.


Funeral Services will be held at 11:00 am on Wednesday, September 30, 2009, at St. Anne's Catholic Church in Naytahwaush, MN. Visitation will take place at the Naytahwaush Sports Complex beginning at 5:00 pm on Tuesday and continuing throughout the night. Serving as pallbearers are Patrick Seitz, Neil Ortiz, Wade Keezer, Tony Strong, Chris Claypool, and Shay Estey. Honorary bearers are Guy Fairbanks, A.J. Fairbanks Sr., Devery Fairbanks, all of Ione's sons, and each of those extended family members that she welcomed into her home.

Interment will be in St. Anne's Cemetery in Naytahwaush.