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As received from the Jacobson Funeral Home:
Leo Sam Durant Jr (Manny) ManidoMukwa (Spirit Bear), age 84 passed away September 27 at the home of his daughter, Amanda, in Milwaukee, WI after a courageous battle with cancer.
Leo was born in Baraga Mi on March 16, 1939 to Leo Sam Durant Sr and Bertha Nedeau. He attended Baraga Area Schools later to receive a GED certificate. He also attended Bay Mills Community College Ojibwe Language Immersion Program earning certificate. He was a member of the Keweenaw Bay Indian Community and served for many years on the KBIC Cultural Committee. Manny worked in the logging industry. At one time he had his own company known as M & M Logging. He worked in this business in Michigan and Washington state. When he retired from logging he worked for KBIC Elder Nutrition as homebound meal deliverer. He worked also for MI DHHS as a medical transporter. He worked for KBIC Housing doing lawn maintenance also owning lawn mowing service.
Leo was an honored elder at the July 2019 KBIC Maawanjiiding Powwow. He loved to sing and play guitar. He played along with Bob Kilpela at the Senior Complex for singalongs. One highlight was accompanying Jessica Dakota, violinist, at the Calumet Theater.
Leo is survived by his children, Amanda Durant of Milwaukee WI, Amadea Durant of Lyle, WA, Mitchell Durant of L’Anse MI Robert Santiago AZ. Also surviving a sister, Catherine Sandquist of Baraga. He had many grandchildren, great grandchildren and nieces an nephews. He truly loved his family.
Preceding him in death: his parents, children: Leona, Aaron, Leo Sam III, Steven Durant and Kimberly Soman. Brothers: Dominic and Melvin Durant, Sisters: Martha Roy, Julia Cardinal, Leona Bolo, and Viola Banuchie.
Traditional Service and fire will be at the Ojibwa Senior Center, Baraga with visitation: Saturday, September 30, at 7 pm followed by feast. The funeral ceremony will be on Sunday, October 1st with visitation 11am, Ceremony 12pm, Feast. Burial will be in the Assinins Cemetery in Baraga. Jacobson Funeral Home is assisting the family.
Friends may sign Leo’s guest book or send condolences at www.jacobsonfuneralhome.com.
