Lee Gordon Goodman Sr.

Lee Gordon Goodman, Sr., Bezhigogahbow – One That Stands Alone, of the Wolf Clan, age 69, of Minneapolis, MN, began his spiritual journey on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale. Lee was born on February 2, 1957, in White Earth, MN the son of Gordon and Christine (Sitting) Goodman.

He grew up in the Park Rapids area and was an accomplished Golden Gloves Boxer in his younger years. Lee attended Shattuck-St. Mary's school and was active there in Hockey, Baseball and Football. Lee held many jobs as he loved working for his people. A few to point out are the times he worked for the Minneapolis Park and Recreation Board. While at the Park Board he was known for coordinating native softball leagues, tournaments and coaching many youth, baseball and basketball teams. During his time with the Minneapolis Public School District, he worked as an education paraprofessional. He also worked many years as a licensed substance abuse counselor at Heart of the Earth and Four Directions Charter Schools. He worked for the Minneapolis American Indian Center in the Ginew Golden Eagle program in youth intervention, helping at risk native youth. He also worked for the White Earth Nation in a few different capacities. He spent the last years of his life working tirelessly at the White Earth Urban Office as an ICW- Child Protection Worker. He was passionate about family values and keeping ICWA laws intact. Lee showed amazing strength as he worked all while fighting a battle with cancer since 2009. He believed in living his life to the absolute fullest despite the terminal cancer diagnosis he was handed.

Lee loved to travel to pow-wows and make regalia. He was known for beautiful feather work, and belts. He also enjoyed reading, spending time with his grandkids, great grandkids, being in the outdoors, camping, visiting with his family, friends and anyone else that would listen. He had the best stories and jokes. He knew just how to make even the crabbiest person laugh, including himself. Lee was proud to learn his Anishinaabe Ways, attending ceremonies and learning the Ojibwe language.

The family that Lee joins again are his dad, Gordon Goodman; brother, Tin Goodman; sister, Charlene Goodman; special niece, Gina Goodman; special nephew, Wayne Goodman; special granddaughter, Krissa Weitzel; stepsons, Steven and Servando Almaguer, numerous aunts, uncles, other relatives and many friends.

Those he leaves behind to cherish his memory are his mother, Christine Goodman, his spouse, Nelda Goodman; son, Lee Goodman, Jr.; daughter, Cheryl Leigh Goodman; special daughters and sons, Angie Rainey, Sylvia Kapishkowit, Lucia Kaquatosh, Roxanne Mudd, Robert Mudd, Alexander Mudd, Fran Free and Rhonda Sam; brothers, Charles and Donovan Goodman; sisters, Sharon Strutz and Suzanne Goodman; aunts, Karen Goodman, Jeanne Hurd and Sharon Mountain; uncle, Tim Goose; several grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A wake for Lee will begin at 5:00 p.m., Saturday, February 21, 2026, and will continue until the 10:00 a.m. service on Sunday, February 22, 2026, all held at the Old School at Pine Point, Ponsford, MN. Spiritual advisors are Melvin Goodman and Allen Hardy. Pallbearers will be John Larson, Jack Auginash, Sr., Jack Auginash, Jr., Gordon Auginash, Harold Rainey, Jr., Anthony Almaguer, Charles Oakgrove-Goodman, and Gary Roberts. Honorary pallbearers will be all of Lee's nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren and all the youth he worked with in all his many years of service to the Native community in Minneapolis and St. Paul. Interment will be in the Episcopal Cemetery in Ponsford following the service.

Lee's care has been entrusted to the Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, MN. Online condolences for the family may be given at www.northerpeace.com