This is Lena Kay Rufus. Since March 28, 2003, she no longer lives on Earth. On that day, she unexpectedly died from meningitis.
During childhood, she enjoyed being around farm animals as well as living on the reservation of the Bad River Band of Lake Superior Chippewa in Northern Wisconsin. She played Suzuki violin during first grade, loved going to school and excelled in her studies.
Although Lena’s life was short, her accomplishments are many. She was active at Washburn High School where she studied diligently. She spent much of her senior year enrolled in courses at Northland College. Lena played the clarinet and after learning French, traveled to Paris. She served as an officer in several high school clubs and associations. Lena was a Stanford University student at the time of her death. Education was central in her life.
On April 1, 2003, her life celebration ceremony took place on her home reservation. She said goodbye to hundreds of people she loved dearly. On this date also, the tribal elders honored her with the Ojibwe name of Ogitchidakwe, warrior woman.
Look for the "Lena Speaks" area of this site for selected pieces written throughout her life. Lena did not think of herself as a good writer but we think differently. We released Hoofen Floofen Island, a children's story Lena wrote as a 10 year old about adventure, love, happiness, and accomplishment. All proceeds benefit education and literacy.
“Life is a pretty word.”
The Lena Kay Rufus Memorial Scholarship Fund
The Lena Kay Rufus Memorial Scholarship Fund is managed through Thrivent Charitable. The fund benefits others by supporting efforts in education and literacy. To date, the following organizations are fund recipients:
Head Start Program of Bad River Reservation
To make a donation to Lena’s fund please visit the Thrivent Charitable’s giving page.
Lena wrote a book!
A sculptural tribute to Lena, commissioned by Joe Russo, created by Sara Balbin of Dragonfly Studio.
