Raining Boyd

Gi Mi Wun – Raining Boyd was born on June 7, 1921 at Wigwam Bay to Charley and Quaykosh Boyd. Raining went to early school at Vineland Indian School and junior high at Pipestone School. He served in the US Army as an aircraft mechanic, bomber trainer in Oklahoma, and with the military police. He was on leave when he met Grace Clark and married her after returning from the service. Raining and Grace moved to Minneapolis and raised seven children. The family returned to the reservation on weekends. Raining made a career as a truck driver delivering building materials for thirty years. He retired in 1978 after all his children had graduated from school. He and Grace returned to the Mille Lacs Reservation and made their home there. Gi Mi Wun was a respected member of the Native community who enjoyed hunting, fishing and harvesting wild rice. He was a fluent Ojibwe speaker and enjoyed singing. He attended ceremonial Pow Wows as well and served on the Pow Wow committee. He was a member of the drum society for many years. Raining passed away at his home on Friday, October 23 at the age of 88 years 4 months and 16 days. He is survived by his children, Gordon (Susan) Parr of New Jersey, Lewelyn (Pam) Boyd of Onamia, Maurice (Janet) Boyd of Crosby, Phyllis Boyd of Isle, Judith (Terry Peluf) Kanassatega of Onamia and Sheldon Boyd of Isle, grandchildren, Leslie, Heather, Rachel, Ashleigh, Courtney, Nathan, Gordon Jr., Diamanta, Christopher, Syngen, Rhye, Leslie Jr., Dominique, Alexandra, Rosanne, Robert, Trevor, Natalie, Keith, Shandra, Rodney, Phillip, Sheldon Jr., and Robert Jr., great grandchildren are, Antonio, Stephen Ray, Taylor, Jai-Lee, Jamison, Robert III, Danasia, Dashae, Kameera, Summer and Miles, siblings, Carol Mojica, Darlen Sam, Russell Boyd and Donivan Boyd. He was preceded in death by his parents, wife, Grace, son, Leslie, daughter, Regina, sisters, Jesse Clark and Gladys and brother Frank. Funeral services were held 11 AM Tuesday at the Mille Lacs Band Community Center. Interment was in the Boyd Family Burial Grounds. Visitaion start at 5 PM on Monday, October 26, 2009 at the Mille Lacs Band Community Center. Arr. with Peterson Johnson Funeral Home in Milaca.