Gloria Jean Cobenais

About Gloria

Gloria Jean (Cook) Cobenais 83, of Red Lake, MN, passed on Tuesday, October 10, 2023 in Duluth, MN, surrounded by her family.

Gloria was born in Red Lake, MN to Ramona (Cook) Desjarlait and Francis W. Lawrence on September 4, 1940. Gloria attended St. Mary’s Mission School and Red Lake High School graduating in 1958. Gloria briefly attended nursing school in New Mexico before returning to Red Lake and marrying Richard “Dick” Cobenais in 1961, together they raised 7 children.

Gloria began work at the Red Lake Elementary School Library for 32 years. She retired to help raise her great granddaughter, Alise.

Gloria enjoyed watching Wheel of Fortune, Lifetime Channel, crossword puzzles, playing Powerball and scrolling Facebook. Gloria looked forward to all family gatherings at her home, and was known for her baked beans. She looked forward to her great grandsons “the boys” coming to visit her, and all the chaos of all the great grandkids coming together for holidays.

Summers consisted of sitting on her porch with family, friends, coffee, cigarettes, and keeping up on local & family events. Gloria was instilled with strong family values, which were passed down to her family.

Gloria is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Clayton, daughter Vanessa, siblings, Brian, Reginald, Kathleen, Shirley, and Charlotte, granddaughters, Brittany, Joliana, and Chrissa and 2 grandsons.

Survived by her children: Rochelle (Robert), Kathi, Sandra (Duane), Jill, and John (Bobbi Jo). Grandchildren she raised: Kayln, Haley, and Alise. Brothers: Robert “Rocky” Cook, Leo Desjarlait Jr., Fred Desjarlait Sr., Donald Desjarlait, Arlen Desjarlait, & David Desjarlait all of Red Lake, MN, 18 grandchildren, and 35 great grandchildren.

Active Pallbearer’s: John Cobenais Jr., Robert Anderson Jr., Austin Cook, Jerald Cobenais, Clayton Smith, Michael Seki Jr., Doug Smith, Nano Kingbird.

Honorary Pallbearer’s: Margaret Branchaud, Bernadine Bailey, Cindy Pemberton, Barb Garrigan-Stillday, Melissa Jourdain, Roxanne Graves, Ramona Cook, Lisa K. Defoe, Bobbi Jo Beaulieu, Lorena Cook, Cindy Desjarlait, Eva Brown, Joan Cobenais, Simon Beaulieu, & all of her granddaughters.

memorial service

Celebration of Gloria's Life

Visitation & viewing are planned for Monday Oct. 16, 2023 at Cease Family Funeral Home from 5:00 p.m. – 7:00 p.m. with prayer service at 6:00 p.m. in Bemidji, MN. Services & dinner at 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, October 17, 2023 at the New Red Lake Center with Fr. John officiating. Interment will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Red Lake, MN.