Joseph Robert Jourdain

Our dear father and grandfather Bob Jourdain, "Mznanakwd," age 79, of the Lynx clan began his journey to the spirit world on Sunday March 2nd from his home in Cass Lake, MN. He was born on September 3, 1945, in Frog Creek, Ontario. The youngest child of Mae Marie Dale and Paul (Paulet) Jourdain. Bob attended the Assiniboia Residential School in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After attaining his GED, he spent time working as a logger and later relocated to the Cass Lake area in the late 1970s. After his time as a logger, Bob obtained his Bachelor of Arts in English in 1992. He later went on to obtain his master's degree in English and worked in the WHA School District's Indian education department, and then later at CLB schools. Bob found his calling in the education system; he enjoyed teaching and helping others. He found his home at the Leech Lake Tribal College, where he taught English classes and Ojibwe language classes. He once referred to himself as the "Oxymoron" of LLTC, which is a sign of his sense of humor. Bob loved the atmosphere at LLTC and was proud to work at a college that kept it family friendly. You would often see Bob holding babies while teaching his classes.
Bob will be remembered for his kind and peaceful demeanor. He was a very humble, loving, and giving man. If you came to his home, you were fed, clothed, and cared for as family. He always made sure his home was open to his students and community. He was an amazing storyteller with an amazing sense of humor, which in turn fueled his passion for writing. Bob's love for his family will be a great loss to them. After his wife Lois passed, he did all he could to keep his family close and together. Bob loved his children and grandchildren, often calling his great grandchildren his connections to the future.
Bob is welcomed home by his parents Mae Marie and Paul, all of his older siblings, his first wife Edith Jourdain, his children Joseph and Audrey Jourdain, and his second wife Lois "Mousie" Jourdain. And many other close friends and family members that have passed on before him.
He leaves behind his children, Theresa and Dean Jourdain, Alex "Buckwheat" Tanner (Eli), Tony and Kevin (Evette) Mainville, and Karen (Justin) Jourdain. He also leaves behind the grandchildren he and his wife Lois raised together in Cass Lake, Danielle (Logan), Justine (Marcus), Shantell (Carter), Jasmine (Ken), Joe (Lyndee), Raquel (Tanner), Jeremy, and Michelle. Including an additional 17 grandchildren and 25 great grandchildren.
Bob passed on before he could see his grandson Jeremy found. He never quit searching.
Wake for Bob will begin on Wednesday March 5, 2025, starting at 6:00 p.m. and continue until his traditional funeral services on Friday March 7th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. all taking place at the Veteran's Memorial Building in Cass Lake, MN. Michael Dahl will be his spiritual advisor. Those assisting to lay Bob to rest are Matt Carey, Garritte Caldwell, Jerritte Caldwell, Tanner LaDuke, Thunder Bird, and Richard Jourdain Jr. Alternate pallbearers are Dan Norris, Cody Schneider, Lucas Bratvold, and Dan DeVault. Bob's honorary pallbearers are all his family in Canada, his students and friends at LLTC, Jim & Della Jones, Birdie Lyons Nancy Kingbird and Mike Myers. Interment will be immediately following the service at the Tanner Cemetery, Oak Point, MN.
Bob's care has been entrusted to Norther Peace Funeral Home of Walker MN. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.northernpeace.com