Susan Joy (Northrup) Smith, “Ishke Gabow Ikwe” which means “Woman Who Stands in the Back”, age 63, of Cloquet Minnesota journeyed to the spirit world on Wednesday, May 23, 2018 from her home with her family by her side. She was one of 15 children born to Alice (Shabaiash) and James Northrup on November 30, 1954 in Duluth, MN. Susie was a very strong, determined and independent woman with a lot of pride.
She was a loving wife, mother and grandmother. Susie was a hard worker and was very dedicated to her job as the head cook for the Elderly Program at the Sawyer Community Center but she was most dedicated to her family. Susie loved to play dice with the ladies, free time she spent with her family, cooking and going to the casino.
She enjoyed garage saleing, Wal-Mart shopping, going to pow-wows in the summer and watching her hummingbirds through her living room window. She attended Ogchidaa ceremonies where she earned the right to be a pipe carrier. Susie loved all her brothers and sisters but she adored her children and her “greatest grandbabies”; many of whom where with her when she went to the spirit world, after her very hard fight with cancer.
Family that welcome Susan to the spirit world are her parents; Alice and James Northrup, son; Bradley Northrup, brothers; Jeff, Rodney, Jim and Herbie Northrup, sisters; Doris Smith, Nancy, Dawn and Judy Northrup and many more relatives. She leaves behind her husband; Ronald Smith of Cloquet, daughter; Wanda (Doug Misquadace) Northrup of Sawyer, brothers; Russ (Deb) Northrup, Vern (Amy) Northrup and Warren Northrup all of Sawyer, Sisters; Juanita Fineday and Jean DuFault both of Sawyer and Korii Northrup of Duluth, grandchildren; Michelle (Justin, Sr.) Rivera, Keenan Northrup, Tori Smith, Evan Butcher, Destinee Smith, Katrina Bosto and Alana Rainey, her “greatest grandchildren”; Justin Jr. (Bug), Tristyan (Tiko), Tayleana (Sissy) and Stella (Stell Bell) Rivera and Amariana (El’ Baby) Smith, several nieces, nephews, cousins, other family members and friends. An overnight wake for Susan will begin at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, May 26th and continue until her 11:00 a.m. traditional service on Sunday, May 27th all being held at the Sawyer Community Center in Sawyer, MN.
Zac Earley will be her Spiritual Advisor. Pallbearers for Susan will be Rory Northrup, Joseph Northrup, Sr., Joseph Northrup, Jr., Matthew Northrup, Chris Beaulieu and Julius Northrup. Her honorary pallbearers are Vern Northrup, Russ Northrup, Justin Rivera, Sr., Justin Rivera, Jr., Douglas Misquadace, Destinee Smith, Michelle Rivera, Alana Rainey, Tayleana Rivera and Tristyan Rivera.
Interment will be in the Sawyer Cemetery at Sawyer, MN following her services. Susan’s care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.
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