Maurice Gerald ("Jocko") Thunder

Maurice “Jocko” Thunder, 93, of Redby, MN died Wednesday, October 8, 2025, at Benedictine Health Center, Duluth.

Visitation will be 1-3 p.m., Saturday, October 11, 2025, at the Redby Community Center, Redby, MN with lunch to follow by the Thunder family. The Olson-Schwartz Funeral Home of Bemidji has provided services for Jocko.

Maurice Gerald Thunder was born March 18, 1932, in Red Lake, MN to Joseph Thunder, Sr. and Rose Branchaud. He grew up and attended school in Redby and worked various jobs as a young man. He married Christina Ann Smith on February 5, 1951, in Redby. Jocko worked for the Red Lake Sawmill for much of his adult life, attaining the position of Mill Wright.

He is survived by his children, Rosalind Thunder, of Ashland, WI, Maureen (Dana) Lyons of Redby, Deanna (Rob) Pemberton of Redby, Barbara Thunder of Redby, Karen (Val) Thunder of Minneapolis and Gerald (Steve) Thunder of Andover; special son, Harlow Spears of Red Lake,; grandkids, Geri, Kimberly, Beverly, Robyn, Brittany, Arlin, Gary, Derek, Daniel, Rob, Zach and Kyle; 39 great-grandkids and 7 great-great-grandkids.

He was preceded in death by his wife, Christina; son, Maurice Robert Thunder; parents; brothers, Lester VanWert, Julius Thunder, Aloysius Thunder, Ralph Thunder, Joseph Thunder, Jr., Alvin Thunder, and Melvin Thunder; 3 sisters, Ernestine VanWert, Edith Graves, and Nancy Mathews.

Honorary Bearers:

James Oakgrove ~ Harlow Spears ~ Roman Stately ~ Clayton Strong ~ Willy Strong ~ Kaleb Pemberton ~ Rob Pemberton, Sr. ~ Dana Lyons, Sr. ~ Gerald Kingbird, Sr. ~ Arlin Thunder ~ Donald Graves, Sr. ~ Rusty Nelson ~ Ole Spears

Casket Bearers:

Daniel Lyons ~ Rob Pemberton, Jr. ~ Nathaniel Pemberton ~ Derrell Pemberton ~ Gerald Kingbird, Jr. ~ James Jourdain

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