Maxine Ennenga

Maxine Julian Ennenga was born February 10, 1932 in Ponsford , MN to George and Josephine (Lightning) Norcross. She was raised and educated in Ponsford. Maxine was united in marriage with Frank Bigbear Sr. in 1946 in Ponsford. She worked for Helgrens Vegetable Farm near Dilworth , MN and later for Ringer Company in Park Rapids, MN. Maxine moved to Minneapolis , MN where she worked as a housekeeper at a number of hotels, as a seamstress for a drapery manufacturing company and for St. Joseph ’s Free Store. She and Frank divorced. Maxine was united in marriage with Vern Ennenga in Minneapolis in 1979. He died in 1988. She moved to Detroit Lakes where she took the Chef Training Course at the Detroit Lakes AVTI. She then worked as a prep cook for the Shooting Star Casino in Mahnomen , MN .

Maxine enjoyed cooking for her family, collecting statue cats, visiting with her grandchildren and friends, going to Pow-wows, Elvis music, country western music and sewing. She credits Sr. Rose Tillman for helping turn her life around.

Survivors include children, Francis Norcross of Mahnomen, MN, Sandra (Eugene) Libby of White Earth, David (Bessie) Norcross of Seward, Alaska, Frank (Lori) Bigbear Jr. of Minneapolis, Joseph Bigbear of Minneapolis, Kathy (Darrow) Bigbear of White Earth, Harlan “Tony” Bigbear of White Earth; a granddaughter which she raised, Harlene Hardy of White Earth; 24 grandchildren; numerous great-grandchildren; sister, Ivy Ailport of White Earth. In addition to her husbands, Vernon Ennenga and Frank Bigbear Sr., Maxine was preceded in death by a son, Douglas Norcross; grandchildren, Richard “Weasel” Norcross, Marcell Norcross and Cassandra Norcross; two great-granddaughters; brothers, William Sr., George and Myron Norcross and sisters: Genevieve Rock and Lillian Litzau.