Wallis Ann "Wally Ann" Warren began her journey home Wednesday, September 7, 2016, at Sanford Medical Center in Fargo, ND.

Wally Ann was born May 24, 1937, in White Earth, MN, to Everett and Lois (Fairbanks) Goodwin. Growing up she lived in Beaulieu and in the Roy Lake area. She attended school in Mahnomen, MN, graduating in 1955. Wally Ann was united in marriage on February 12, 1958, to the love of her life, Lyle Warren. They have been married for 58 years and have been blessed with eight children. They made their home and raised their family in the White Earth/Strawberry Lake area.

Wally Ann, a devote Christian, and a lover of her Anishinaabeg culture, touched the lives of many people with her kind and peaceful ways. She enjoyed many things including praying, spending time with family, cooking, laughing and a little poker from time to time. Wally Ann attended college at Bemidji State University, graduating with an Associate's Degree in 1984. Over the years, Wally Ann worked at various jobs but her passion was the children at the Circle of Life Academy where she has been for 17 years. She was excited to return this fall but couldn't due to her health.

Wally Ann had a great passion for Kateri Tekakwitha. She was a member of the Kateri Circle at St. Benedict's Church. Every year they had conferences and the one she treasured most was in Phoenix, AZ, where she met Pope John Paul II. True to her name, Mikinaak-equay (Turtle Woman), Wally Ann carried the weight on her back, with the unconditional love she shared with many. Her smile will be sorely missed.

Wally Ann is survived by her husband; Lyle, her children: Anthony Warren, Lyle Warren, Jr., Carol (Terry) Tibbetts, Patrick (Kim) Warren, Joan Warren, Christopher Warren, Timothy Warren and Betsy (Aaron Pivec) Warren; her brothers: Joe, Dewey, Don, Nick, and Andy; her sisters: Patricia and Suzanne; 25 grandchildren, which included her granddaughter, Jade Jackson, who she raised as one of her own; 17 great-grandchildren, many nieces and nephews and her large extended family.

Wally Ann was preceded in death by her parents, Lois and Everett; her brothers: Everett, Jr. (Ebby), Johnny, Jimmy, and Danny; her sisters: Elsie Yost and Deborah Littlewolf Arias; her grandchildren: Franklin Brown and Nicollete Brown and one great-grandchild, Raymond James Johnson, Jr.

Mass of Christian Burial was held on Saturday, September 10, 2016, at 10:00 am at St. Benedict's Catholic Church in White Earth, MN. Visitation began Friday, September 9, 2016, at 5:00 pm with a prayer service at 7:00 pm at the Circle of Life Academy in White Earth, continuing through the night. Visitation was also held one hour prior to Mass at the church. Interment took place at Calvary Cemetery, rural White Earth.