Jeannie Redthunder-Moon

Jeannie Redthunder-Moon, 76, passed away from this life on Thursday morning, July 25, 2013, in Grand Coulee, Wash., surrounded by her family. Born September 26, 1936, into the Nespelem, Washington, home of Joe and Lucy Redthunder, Jeannie graduated from Nespelem High School in 1954, after which she attended Kinman Business College and Wenatchee Junior College. On November 27, 1970, Jeannie married Virgil R. Moon in Tacoma, Wash. Jeannie returned home to Nespelem, where she worked as a financial clerk for the I.I.M. but was best known by many for her volunteering throughout the community including the Nespelem School Board for 45 years, longtime member and the First Vice President of Nespelem American Legion Post #114 Ladies Auxiliary, the Drum & Feather Club, and PTA to name a few. For her tireless efforts to better her community, Jeannie was honored as the community’s 2012 Volunteer of the Year. Always proud of her heritage, Jeannie was an active member of the Seven Drum Religion and loved passing the traditional ways such as root gathering, berry picking and the making of delicious fry bread to the young.

Jeannie enjoyed watching both the Seattle Seahawks and Seattle Mariners through their good seasons and not-so-good seasons, was an avid bowler and loved cooking for her family and friends who have wonderful memories of her “Cranberry Special” jello recipe, her luscious biscuits and the mouthwatering dish which earned Jeannie the nickname, “Moon-Pie”.

Preceded on her journey by her parents: Joe & Lucy Redthunder, son Laurence Heath; brothers: Alvin, Morris, Kenneth and Norman Redthunder and sister-in-law Sharon Redthunder; Jeannie’s proud legacy lives on through her devoted husband of 42 years Virgil R. Moon; children: Luanna Francis, Aletha Heath, Ronald J. Moon (Ginell) and Roy J. Moon; numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren; brothers: Wilferd Redthunder (Atwice), Keith “Soy” Redthunder and Jackson Redthunder; sisters: Dorothy Camarena and Joanne Redthunder as well as many, many nephews and nieces.

Jeannie’s dressing and 7 Drum service was held Friday, July 26, 2013, at Strate Funeral Chapel in Grand Coulee. On July 27, at 7 p.m., a family wake was held at the Nespelem Community Center in Nespelem, with her 7 p.m., community wake on Sunday, July 28, and a sunrise burial at Chief Joseph Cemetery in Nespelem, on Monday, July 29, 2013.

Her family requests that contributions be made in Jeannie’s memory to the American Cancer Society, P.O. Box 22718, Oklahoma City, OK 73123-1718 or to the Nez Perce Longhouse rebuilding fund at any NCNB bank branch.

An online register book for Jeannie is available at http://www.stratefuneralhome.com Strate Funeral Chapel of Grand Coulee, is very honored to be assisting Jeannie’s family.