Jacqueline Defoe

Jacqueline Alvera Defoe, “Gidaagaakoons” Little Fawn, from the Bear Clan, age 76, began her journey to the spirit world on Saturday, September 13, 2025 in Pequot Lakes, MN.

Jackie was born on December 1, 1948, to Rose (King) and Isadore Lussier in Red Lake, MN. She attended school in Red Lake and Marty, SD, where she graduated from in 1967. She earned her degree in Early Childhood Education in 2002 and was very proud when she earned this at the age of 50 years old. She spent her entire career as a teacher at the Red Lake Headstart and impacted the lives of her many students throughout the years. She met the love of her life, Keith, and they were married on June 26, 1971. Jackie and Koogie were married for 53 wonderful years. They had three children, Darren, Frank and Jackie Jr, and made their home in Redby, MN. She enjoyed watching her children and grandchildren sing and dance at the pow wows. She liked going to the casino and accidentally max betting and winning off it! She was very kind and loving and she loved her grandchildren dearly. Her most favorite thing to do was spend time with the love of her life, Koogie.

Family that Jackie leaves behind are her son, Frank (Lisa) Defoe; daughter: Jacqueline (Jerritte) Caldwell-Defoe; sisters: Doyla Lussier and Barbara Vasquez; brother: Lamont Lussier; the joys of her life – grandchildren: Shanise Rosebear, Kailee (Joe) Defoe, Darren Defoe Jr, Kiersten Iceman, Kylah Defoe, Jayla (Chris) Caldwell-Hines, Keith “Koogie” Caldwell, Kameryn Defoe, Jerritte Caldwell Jr and Justin “Mooz” Defoe; great-grandchildren: Michael Kingbird Jr, Kinslee Johnson, Kaislyn Johnson, Karsyn Johnson, Kaileb Johnson and Emani Johnson; special daughter: Buffy Barrett; special niece: Angie Defoe; her in-laws and numerous nieces and nephews.

She is preceded in death by her husband: Keith “Koogie” Defoe; son: Darren Defoe Sr; mother: Rose Lussier; father: Isadore Lussier; sisters: Almeda Lussier and Thelberta Lussier; grandmother: Nina King; and several relatives who have passed on before her.

A one-day wake will begin at 1 PM on Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at the Redby Community Center and continue until her 10 AM services on Thursday, September 18, 2025 with Spiritual Advisor Ty Stately. Active Pallbearers will be Justin Auginash Sr, Darren Defoe Jr, Keith Caldwell, Anthony Patterson, Jerritte Caldwell Sr, Jamie Auginash Sr. Honorary Pallbearers will be Mary Thunder, Tina Roybal, Valerie Vasquez, Shelly Auginash, Kelly Auginash, Lisa K. and Pat Defoe, Angie Defoe, Buffy Barrett, Connie Defoe, Melvina Defoe, Karen Martin. Burial will be at the Family Burial Grounds in Redby, MN. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral and Cremation Service, serving Northern Minnesota.

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