Jean (Renes) Whitefeather, age 68, of Bemidji, Minnesota, passed away Saturday, July 13, 2024, at Sanford Hospice Cottage in Sioux Falls. She will forever be remembered as someone who always had a hearty laugh and a big smile.
Jean was born May 16, 1956, to Sam and Mina (Huisman) Renes in Luverne, Minnesota. Her family lived on a farm near Hills, and then moved to a home in Luverne, where Jean graduated from Luverne High School in 1974.
Jean graduated from Bemidji State University in 1979 with a double major in elementary education and vocal music K-12. She was employed by Red Lake School District, teaching K-6 music for seven years; second grade for six years; overseeing the in-school suspension program for three years; and was dean of students/principal for 18 years, marking a total of 34 years serving the school district, before retiring in 2012.
Jean was married to Vernon Whitefeather on Aug. 8, 1981. They had one son, Kyle Jerome Whitefeather, and four grandchildren: Isaac Lyle, Aydin Jerome, Lukas Vernon, and Khloe Jean.
Survivors are her son, Kyle; her grandchildren and their mother, Holly Schuster; four siblings, Glenda Renes, Medina, Washington, Kate Vasbinder, Port Orchard, Washington, twin sister Jane (Galen) Ver Steeg, Hartford, South Dakota, and Dave (Linda) Renes, Sioux Falls, South Dakota; and her late husband’s siblings, Bobby (Peggy) Whitefeather, Redby, Minnesota; sisters Donna “Bitsy” Whitefeather, Redby, Minnesota, and Eunice Whitefeather of Ponemah, Minnesota; and many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her husband, Vernon; her parents; a brother-in-law and niece, Kip and Megan Vasbinder; and a brother-in-law, Melvin Whitefeather.
Jean’s motto for living was “Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well-preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming, “WOO HOO, what a ride!”
A Celebration of Life will be held Saturday, August 3, at 2 p.m. at 1810 Carr Lake Road SW, Bemidji, Minnesota. Family and friends attending are encouraged to dress casually in bright colors or tie-dyed attire and beaded earrings that Jean always loved. Please also bring your own lawn chairs. Her cremains will be buried at a later date.
Jean’s care has been entrusted to Miller Funeral Home in Sioux Falls. Online condolences for the family may be left at www.millerfh.com.