Donald "Donnie" Carufel Sr.

Donald Niizhoogaaboo - Two Standing, Carufel, Sr. passed away December 8, 2025, at the age of 67 years in Minocqua, WI.

Donnie, a loving sibling, is survived by his sister, Sarah (Rick) Williams, and brothers, Robin and Charles Carufel.

A devoted father and grandfather, he is survived by children, Douglas Long, Winona Carufel, Iris Carufel, and Nikki Sparrow; granddaughters, CanteSkuye, Jamelyn, Luna, Maple, Eartha, and Lillibet; grandson, Nate.

 He leaves behind many loving nieces, nephews, and namesakes.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Dave and Alice (nee: Redwing) Carufel. 

Donnie, a proud member of the Native American Church of North America lived humbly and honestly. He proudly served in the United States Marine Corps. As a peacetime marine, he often recollected seeing the most action behind the nighttime spot, Rosita’s.

Niizhoogaaboo, self-appointed "smartest NDN in the world,” graduated with a Baccalaureate degree from Mount Senario College. Throughout adulthood, he spent reviving the Lac du Flambeau Ojibwe dialect alongside his friends, learning from the last of his community’s fluent speakers. From southern Wisconsin to northern Minnesota, Donald excelled in Ojibwemowin education through song, storytelling, and comedy; he believed education as entertainment was the best way to engage learners of all ages. Don spent a lifetime connecting Ojibwe people to our life, land and culture. He showed his kindness and generosity through namegivings, sobriety spaces, and walking people through grief and loss.

Before his diabetes related ailments, Donnie was an avid fisherman, multidisciplinary artist, powwow dancer and guitarist. Throughout the end of his life, he continued to do what he loved most, to sing and to pray for people. Donnie’s life is summed up best in his own words, love everybody.

Niizhoogaaboo-iban is dearly loved, missed, and remembered.