Janice Thunder

Janice Marie (McNeal) Thunder, age 66, passed away on Tuesday, March 3, 2026 at Sanford Medical Center in Bemidji, MN.

Janice was born on April 21, 1959, in Red Lake MN to Herbert and Ina Mae (Cook) McNeal. She graduated as class Salutatorian from Red Lake High School on June 2, 1977. She worked for Red Lake Housing for a short time and then worked as a business manager at IHS in Red Lake for 41 years. Jan was involved in the Redby Community Board, the Redby Art Thunder Memorial Park and the Redby Community Patrol & Watch.  She loved coaching softball and ran the Redby Snack Shack.

She will be lovingly remembered by her husband, Julius “Toady” Thunder; sons: Randy and Ron Thunder; daughter, Kelly Jo Thunder; grandkids: Jadyn and Jason Norris; special grandchildren: Zach McNeal and Anarchy Norris; sister, Karen (Eli) Ramirez; brothers: Ron and Harlan McNeal, Don (Michelle) Langer; aunt, Mary Ellen Cook; uncle, Fabian “Nickel” Cook; nieces: Kauri Russell, Amber and Diane McNeal; nephews: Robbie and Joey McNeal.

Jan was preceded in death by her parents, Herbert and Ina Mae McNeal; grandparents Teddy and Ida Cook and Scotty and Jane McNeal; grandson, Dominick Norris; numerous aunts and uncles, other relatives and friends.

The wake will begin at 1PM on Sunday, March 8, 2026 at the Redby Community Center in Redby and continue until the service at 1PM on Tuesday, March 10, 2026 with Father Joseph Kennedy officiating. Active pallbearers will be: Robbie McNeal, Joey McNeal, Randy Norris, Clayton Cook Sr, Rodney Spears Jr, Kenny Graves, Jr Graves, Eli Ramirez, Clayton Cook Jr, Rex Strong Jr, Brandon Kinney, Jim Garrigan, Nick Garrigan, Dave Dudley Sr, Arn Pemberton, Jerik Demaris, Jeris Cook, Gerry Wind, Leo Cook, Richard Cook and Shane Garrigan.  Honorary pallbearers will be: Herman and Jean Donnell, Barb Stillday, Kristi Fairbanks, Wendi Fairbanks, Colleen Cook, Kayla Cook, Renae Cook, Beth Beaulieu, Steve Strong, Debbie Graves, Jo Dudley, Shelly Schoenborn, Nellie Charnoski, Elsie Strong, Sharon Cook, Ange Charnoski, Amanda Jourdain, Ashlyn  Charnoski, Maelyn Strong, Julie Redeagle, Cheli Johnson, Starlee Oakgrove, Adriana McNeal, Peggy Whitefeather, Sherry May, Darlene Thunder, Kim Cook, Elaine Johnson, Alfreda Sayers, Nancy Beaulieu, Jeff and Jolyn Donnell, Janeen Donnell, Linda Bedeau, Randy Norris Jr, Teanna Pemberton, Karen White, Staar Kingbird and Kathi Cobenais. Burial will be at a later date. Arrangements provided by Whispering Pines Funeral & Cremation Service, serving Northern Minnesota.

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