- Date Of Birth: April 26, 1953
- Date Of Death: May 17, 2017
- State: Minnesota
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.
