Dorothy “Dot” Wilma Cobenais, “Azha waa shik” which means “Crossing Over”, age 73, of the Bear Clan and Redby, Minnesota began her journey to the spirit world on Friday, November 2, 2018 from the Red Lake IHS Hospital in Red Lake, MN. Dot was born in Red Lake, MN on April 30, 1945, the daughter of Dorothy Roy and William Oakgrove. Dot was born and spent her childhood years in Red Lake.
After graduating from Red Lake High School in 1965, she traveled to Chicago, IL to attend Small Business Administrative Classes. Dot moved back home in 1966. Shortly after moving home she met Duane Cobenais and they were married on May 20, 1967 and together they had four sons.
Some of Dot’s many jobs were as a crew leader for the YCC Program, a member of the Red Lake School Board, she also worked at Red Lake Food Distribution and Housing. Dot formed the Helping Hands Committee in the Redby District in the 1980’s, was the Head Cashier at the Seven Clans Casino, the Director of the Elderly Nutrition Program, started her own DJ and party rental business but her most cherished work was being a foster mom for many children, which she did up until her illness. Dot liked to keep herself busy, when she wasn’t working she enjoyed watching her kids and grandkids play sports, she liked going to the casino to play her favorite slot machines and bingo, traveling and bowling.
Dot loved to listen to music, spending time with her family and enjoyed cooking for family gatherings. You could always tell which house was Dot’s during the holidays, it was always decorated for the season. Family that welcomes Dot to the spirit world are her husband, Duane Cobenais, Sr., son; Duane Cobenais, Jr., parents; Dorothy Roy and William “Bill” Oakgrove, granddaughters; Mikey Jo Cobenais, Noelle and Michelana Roy, nephew; Richard Ramsey, Jr. and aunt; Philomean Oakgrove.
Those she leaves behind to cherish her memory are sons; Myron (Crystal) Cobenais, Sr., Michael (LeeAnn) Cobenais, and Gary Cobenais, sister; Sharolyn Ramsey, special granddaughter that she raised; Andi Cobenais, 15 grandkids, 15 great grandkids, niece; Jackie Ramsey, goddaughter; Dion Kelly, other relatives and many friends. A wake for Dot will begin at 3:00 p.m., Tuesday, November 6th and continue until her 10:00 a.m. traditional service on Thursday, November 8th all to be held at the New Redby Community Center in Redby, MN. Waa-maajaa’iwed is Steve Jackson.
Pallbearers for Dot are Duane Cobenais III, Derrick Cobenais, Derald “Ola” Cobenais, Myron Cobenais, Jr., Donovan Cobenais, Darion Cobenais, Chase Cobenais and Vincent Schoenborn. Alternate pallbearers are Sonny Neadeau and Claude Neadeau, Jr. Her honorary pallbearers are Kathleen Jo Dudley, Kathy Beehler, June Holstine, Peggy Donnell, Jeanie Donnell, Berta Ann Brun, Gloria Cobenais, Sophie Bissonett, Agnus Smith, Jackie Ramsey, Delores Lasley, Sandra Brown and all of her granddaughters. Interment will be in the St. Mary’s Catholic Cemetery at Red Lake, MN following her Thursday services.
Dot’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.
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