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Phyllis Jean Thunder

Phyllis Jean Thunder

April 26, 1953 ~ May 17, 2017 (age 64)

Phyllis Jean Thunder, "Miishi-bizhiwikwe" meaning "Tiger Woman", 64, of the Eagle clan passed away on Wednesday, May 17, 2017 at Altru Hospital in Grand Forks, North Dakota with her family by her side. Phyllis was born in Red Lake, Minnesota on April 26, 1953 to Lorraine Kingbird.

Phyllis enjoyed playing bingo, going to the casino and playing Free Cell on her computer. She also enjoyed planning family gatherings for birthday parties, Christmas gift exchanges, Thanksgiving, Easter and Memorial dinners. She helped coordinate an annual walk and run in Red Lake against drunk driving in honor of her granddaughter, Kaishauna Thunder. She attended Red Lake schools and obtained her GED before starting her employment with the Red Lake Head Start Program where she furthered her education to obtain her bachelor's degree. Phyllis worked for the Red Lake Head Start Program for 44 years. Phyllis was very outgoing and loved to joke around and make others laugh. Phyllis married Gary Thunder on August 13, 1971 at Red Lake. Phyllis and Gary were both foster parents to numerous nephews and nieces. She will be greatly missed by her family, friends and all who knew and loved her.

Survived by her husband; Gary Thunder, children; Jeanne (Bill Stately) Thunder, Peggy (Jarrod Whiteman) Thunder, Tyrone (Shannon) Thunder and Sean Thunder, sisters; June Atkinson, Bonnie (Vincent) Dow and Brenda Smith, aunt; Margaret Porter, 16 grandchildren, 2 great grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.

Those welcoming Phyllis home are her mother; Lorraine (Kingbird) Beaulieu, son; Shaun Thunder, granddaughter; Kaishauna Thunder, sisters; Ada Atkinson and Mabel Kingbird and numerous aunts and uncles and cousins

A traditional service will be at the Redby Community Center. An all-night wake will start at 7:00 p.m. on Saturday, May 20, 2017 and will continue until the service at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, May 21, 2017. Anna Gibbs will be her Spiritual Advisor. Pallbearers for Phyllis are Trevin Atkinson, Tyrell Atkinson, Randy Atkinson, Golden Stately, Guy A. Stately, Travis Owens, Matthew Beaulieu, Kevin Ehrich, Keith Ehrich, Rain Stately, Corey Stately, Floyd Iceman, Shawn Kingbird II and Robin Roy. Honorary Pallbearers are Betty Schoenborn, Gail Stillday, Leon Kingbird, Allison Cook, Teana Clark, Robyn Isham, Tina Stately, Diane Howard, Melissa Owens, Guy "Ty" Stately, Linda Johnson, Melvin Owens, Jr., Sharon Garrigan, Russell Kingbird, Gerald "Jerry" Kingbird, Karen Martin and all of the Red Lake Head Start Staff and Aides. Interment will be in the Thunder Family Burial Grounds following the service.

Phyllis' care has been entrusted to Northern Peace Funeral Home of Walker, Minnesota. Online condolences for the family may be left at http://www.northernpeace.com

 

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