Mary Ellen (White) Benjamin

Mary Ellen (White) Benjamin, 52, of Bemidji, passed away unexpectedly at her home on June 20, 2025.

A celebration of life will be begin with a wake at 5:00 p.m. Thursday, June 26, 2025 and funeral at 10:00 a.m. Friday, June 27, 2025 at the Bena Community Center in Bena, MN.

Mary was born in Grand Rapids, MN on July 20, 1972, to Richard Bert White and Ida Mae Downwind. She attended Bemidji High School and graduated in 1991. Mary also attended the Leech Lake Tribal College where she received her associate degree.

Mary loved her family and friends unconditionally and often put them before herself. She loved to spend her free time playing bingo, spending time with her family, and attending powwows where she was a traditional dancer. Mary loved to listen to music from Prince and Post Malone. She always found the little things in life to share a laugh about. She always greeted everyone with a smile and referred to everyone as family. She was very loved and she will be missed greatly by her loved ones. Her presence will live on in our hearts through the memories of her.

Mary is survived by her husband Paul, her, mother Ida Downwind, her children Michael White (Brittni), and Timothy White (Rebecca), her grandchildren, Kyllea, Sean, Alaina, Lincoln, Amayah, and baby to come Elaine, and aunts, uncles, and cousins. Mary was proceeded to death by her grandparents, James Cloud and Christine Atherton, her father Richard White Sr, her infant brother Richard White Jr, her cousin Chrissy Renquist, and other family members that have made their journey.

Mary will be laid to rest at the Fairview Cemetery in Federal Dam, MN alongside her brother Richard White Jr., Grandfather James Cloud, grandmother Christine Atherton, and great-grandmother Elizabeth Smith.

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