Irene Stone, age 59, of Mahnomen, MN died Thursday, May 8, 2014, at Essentia Hospital in Fargo, ND.

Irene Mae Stone, the daughter of Andrew F. Stone and Sophie H. Fairbanks, was born on January 3, 1955, in Park Rapids, MN. Her given name is Giiwedin Zhii Baabaakwe, meaning Northwind Woman going about. She was raised by her mother and stepfather John J. Stone Sr., in Ponsford, MN, attending school in Park Rapids. At 17, Irene moved to the Minneapolis, MN, area to work with the Urban Work Project and lived there several years. In 1984 Irene moved to the state of Oregon and lived there for a short time before returning home to Minnesota. In the early 1990's she moved up north and worked at the Shooting Star Casino. Irene moved around to different areas of the White Earth Reservation and Detroit Lakes before finally settling down in Mahnomen.

Irene would keep herself busy by doing the things she loved. She enjoyed traveling, visiting relatives, going to the Casino to play and eat at the buffet, attending pow wows, and going shopping ranging from department store to thrift and hitting up all the garbage sales (garage). She spent a lot of her time sewing regalia and other crafts as teaching or gifts for family. She also liked to do word searches and could play a good game of Scrabble. Irene was a wonderful cook and was known for her fry bread. She loved her large family and always gave them everything she could when she had nothing. Irene was a great daughter, sister, aunt, mother, grandmother, and friend to her family and friends. She will be greatly missed by her loved ones until they are reunited in the spirit world.

Irene is survived her children: Anthony Stone, Joshua Stone, Iris Stone, Isis Stone Tibbetts, Isa Stone Tonnessen, William Stone, Izaiah Stone, Azalea Stone, Leanne Chosa, Diane Chosa, Chelsea Chosa, and Craig Chosa; two brothers, John Stone Sr., and Merlin Stone; five sisters: Elizabeth Stone, Pauline Stone, Darlene Stone, Seraphine Chosa, and Jolene Ajootian; as well as many grandchildren and one great grandchild.

She was preceded in death by her parents, and five siblings: William, Geraldine, Bernadine, Maxine, and Marvin.

Traditional Native American Services are being held at the White Earth Community Center in White Earth, MN, beginning at 4PM on Monday, May 12, 2014, and will continue into Tuesday.