Joanne LaVerne (Parker) Nyman

Joanne LaVerne (Parker) Nyman

January 30, 1942 – June 13, 2020 (age 77)

Joanne LaVerne (Parker) Nyman, "Medwehikwe" (the noise heard of the wind in the trees), age 77, was a member of the White Earth Nation. She was born in White Earth on January 30, 1942 to Mary and John Parker, Sr. After family members came to visit, she passed away peacefully in her sleep on June 13, 2020.

JoAnne grew up in White Earth with her siblings. She moved to Minneapolis when she was 18. She raised four daughters there. Joanne enjoyed gardening, going to rummage sales and thrift stores and riding places on her hoveround chair. Among the places she worked were the Kateri House women's residence, and the Minnesota Indian Women's Resource Center. Due to memory issues, she lived at the Walker Methodist Health Center for the past year and had previously lived at Ebenezer Care Center. In recent months Joanne was very lonely due to visiting policies to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. She tested positive for COVID-19 and recovered, but she was weakened from treatment and her health declined.

Family welcoming Joanne to the spirit world are her mother Frances Many Penny, father John Parker Sr., siblings John Jr., Roberta and Carol, and grandson Robert Lussier.

She leaves behind her daughters Terri Parker, Lori Nyman, Renee Nyman and Jacqueline Nyman, 11 grandchildren and her dog Pipsqueak.

Wake and Funeral Service will take place at 1 pm on Saturday June 27, 2020 at her daughter Terri's home. Gitchiayaa skaube will be Richard Wright. Pallbearers will be Corey Lussier, Briana Lussier, Jason Lussier, Dana Nyman, Nolan Nyman, Victor Nyman, Renee Nyman, and Terri Parker. Honorary pallbearers will be George Stately, Jr., Nicole Stately, Danielle Pineiro, Wakeen Nyman, Lori Nyman, Jean Magee, Joe LaGarde, and Joy Rivera.