Laurene French

Laurene Lynn French, age 41, of White Earth, MN, passed away on Friday, January 26, 2018, at Essentia Health Hospital in Fargo, ND.  A funeral service will be at 11:00 am on Wednesday, January 31, 2018, at the Old Pine Point School in Ponsford, MN.  A visitation will begin at 4:00 pm on Tuesday, January 30, 2018, at the school, with a prayer service at 7:00 pm, and will continue until the time of the funeral service.  The burial will take place in spring at Breck Memorial Episcopal Cemetery in Ponsford.

Laurene was born on February 6, 1976, to Percy and Debra (French) Vilas in Minneapolis, MN.  She grew up in Pine Point and attended school at The Circle of Life Academy.  She earned her G.E.D at the age of 17 and went on to attend the Minnesota State and Technical College in Detroit Lakes, MN.  She went on to work for the Shooting Star Casino in housekeeping and as a cashier.  She also worked for the Reservation Business Committee and for the Minnesota D.M.V. in the driver license office.  She retired when her health began to decline.

Laurene enjoyed playing games on her phone and the occasional game of Keno at the casino. She was a proud mother and grandmother and loved appending time with her children and grandchildren.

She is survived by her mother, Debra Warren of White Earth; children: Lee Andre French of Wilmer, MN; Lydia French of Fargo, ND; Logan Dakota of White Earth, MN; Loretta Dakota of White Earth, MN; Chad Dakota of White Earth, MN; Preston Dakota of White Earth, MN; and Drew Bigbear of Minneapolis; siblings: Gina Tiokasin of White Earth, MN; Louis Tiokasin of White Earth, MN; Percy French of Naytahwash, MN; George French, and Carolyn French of ND; two grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.