Obituaries

Baashkanang (Shooting Star), Cody Gary Bedell, age 29, of Brimley, Michigan, died on November 8, 2024. She was born on October 16, 1995, in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan, to Duane Bedell and Sonia Haskan.

Cody grew up in Arizona and Bay Mills, Michigan. She graduated from Monument Valley High School in 2015 and then attended Bay Mills Community College after. She worked in Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan as a caregiver before finding her true passion working with children.

Cody loved traveling all over, going to concerts or spending time with family. She loved gaming with friends playing Fortnite or Minecraft. Cody’s true self truly got to shine while doing drag shows. She was a member of the Bay Mills Tribe, Michigan Soo Pride, and Two Spirit Counsel of Baawating.

Baashkanang is the definition of advocacy. She used her voice and insight to support and uplift Indigenous Two Spirit individuals. Her unwavering dedication to these causes left a legacy of acceptance and belonging that will continue to impact communities for years to come.

Cody is survived by her mom, Sonia Haskan; dad, Duane (Judy) Bedell; brothers, Robin (Teighlor) Bedell of Bay Mills, Dante Minaker of Pinon, Arizona, Knute Minaker of Chinle, Arizona, Xavier (Grace) Bedell of DeTour Village, Michigan; sisters, Heather (Jason) Church of Bay Mills, Chelsea (Allen) Orr of Rapid City, South Dakota, Logan (Andrew) Woodwyk of Grand Haven, Michigan, Paris Bedell of Bay Mills; grandparents, Elsie Uentillie of Pinon, Arizona, Kelly Bedell of Bay Mills; nieces and nephews, Kalana, Emmalyn, Bentley, Caleb, Cartland, Abigail, Cassius, Jace, Aris, Kyson, Duane; and auntie and uncles, Jeanne (Dee Dee) & Ang LaVergne of Bay Mills, Sarah (Josh) Homminga of Bay Mills, Marvine (Matthew) Young of Bay Mills, Arthur Bedell of Bay Mills, Holly Bedell of Bay Mills, Ashley (Jeremy) Uentillie-Williams of Kayenta. Cody is also survived by many loving cousins all over the country.

Cody was proceeded in death by her grandmother, Pam Morris; grandfather, Robin R. Bedell; and great grandparents, William and Shirley Cody.

Visitation will be on Tuesday, November 12, 2024, from 1:00 – 7:00 PM at the Armella Parker Elder Building with a Pipe Ceremony following at 7:00 PM. A final viewing will begin at 10:00 AM, November 13, 2024, with a burial to follow.

Cody’s final resting place will be at Mission Hill Cemetery in Brimley.

Family Life Funeral Homes assisted the family with arrangements. Condolences may be left to the family at www.familylifefh.com.