Ruth Waukazo, age 77, of Naytahwaush, MN, died on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at her home.

Ruth Ann was born October 23, 1947, in San Bernardino County, CA, to Virgil and Bernice (Waukazo) Hall.  Her youth and school years were spent growing up in the California sunshine.  After graduating high school, Ruth attended the Institute of American Indian Arts in Sante Fe, NM.

Ruth was united in marriage to Eliot Cook and to this union a daughter, Mary, was born.  After several years they divorced, and Ruth moved to the White Earth Reservation in the mid 1980's.  Ruth has made her home in Naytahwaush since that time; however, she enjoyed traveling throughout the states teaching the arts to both the youth and adults.  She was a very talented artist who was generous and shared her talents with many.  In 2002, Ruth received the First Peoples Fund Community Spirit Award and later in 2004, she was honored with the Textile Center Spun Gold Award.  Ruth did not only excel in beading and sewing but she was also a culinary expert.  In addition to the arts and cooking, she enjoyed astronomy, teaching, and spending time with friends.  Ruth had a great sense of humor and was a wonderful storyteller.  She treasured conversations with friends and often shared helpful information with others.  She was also very practical, frugal and independent, even being arrested in her younger years while standing up for her beliefs and protesting in California during AIM.  Ruth was loved by many and her absence will definitely be felt by all who knew and loved her.

Ruth is survived by a daughter, Mary (Craig) Aguilar of Moorhead, MN; a granddaughter, Margaret (Oscar) Aguilar also of Moorhead; extended family and many friends.  She was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Frank Hall; and a sister, Denise Hall.

A Time of Gathering with Words of Remembrance will be held at 3:00 pm on Friday, August 8, 2025, at the Naytahwaush Sports Complex, Naytahwaush, MN. Bring your memories and a dish to share. Per Ruth's wishes, no formal services will be held and burial took place at the Naytahwaush Traditional Burial Grounds.