Wilbert Strong, 79, of Nett Lake, MN, joined his family who left before him, on Monday, March 26, 2018. Wilbert was born to Herbert Sr. and Emma (Boness) Strong on November 4, 1938, in Nett Lake, MN. Wilbert joined the Marine Corps when he was 17 years old. He served in the Korean War. Wilbert was a man who was very talented both as a career person and as an artist. Wilbert was a pipefitter by trade but was also skilled in small engine repair, carpentry and welding. He traveled to each end of the United States working: The Alaskan Pipeline, 3 Mile Island, and the Texas oil rigs. His job excursions were also adventures. When he worked on an oil rig in the ocean near Pensacola, FL, he would feed sandwiches to the sharks below. During a job in Louisiana, he went swimming in a pond, unknowing to him, that was full of alligators. Wilbert was a talented artist. He was a perfectionist wood carver and every work he produced was exquisitely detailed. His favorite subjects to carve were birds and sometimes snakes. One of Wilbert's carvings, a loon, was purchased by the RTC and given to governor Mark Dayton as a gift. Wilbert cherished his heritage and spoke fluent Ojibwe. He was a high-ranking Midewiwin. Wilbert was preceded in death by his parents-Herbert and Emma; his favorite grandmother-Rose Beargrease Strong and his grandfather George strong; his beloved wife-Patricia (Tibbetts) Strong in 1973; his children-Wilbert Jr. Strong; Gregory Dean Strong; Gary Donald Strong; Dawn Marie Strong; Kristopher Todd Strong; and granddaughter-Patricia Kathleen Strong; siblings-Joanne Boness Donald; Herbert Jr. Strong; Clara Jane "Strong" Whiteman; Reginald Silas Strong. He is survived by his daughters-Connie Strong and Kathleen Strong; grandchildren Jay-r Carlson; Cheryl Carlson; Jonathan (Denise) Carlson; Gregory "Chesty" Strong; Sophia Ida Strong; Shane Herbert Lien; Patricia Ann Lien; Wilber Lien; Emma Lien; Wyatt "howling mad" Strong; Joshua Strong; Christen (Josh) Crout; Jacob Heggen; Luke Strong (and wife); 2 grandchildren-Cheyanne Strong; and Darren "Sonny" Jenkens Jr.

A Traditional Wake will be held on Friday, March 30, 2018 starting at 4:00PM at the ENP Bois Forte Community Center in Nett Lake, MN. The Traditional Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, March 31, 2018 at 10:00AM at the ENP Bois Forte Community Center, Nett Lake, MN. Spiritual Leader will be Billy Blackwell and Spiritual Advisor will be Gene Goodsky. Casket Bearers are Jay-r, Jonathan, Chesty, Shane, Luke, Jacob, Josh and Wilber. Honorary Casket Bearers are: Gary Donald, Bill Tibbitts, Frank Barto, Jerome Whiteman, Leonard Howard, Gary "Squeek" Strong, and Harvey Thompson. Family requests that no red clothing to be worn by attendees. To leave an online condolence visit www.mlakerfuneralhome.com