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CLARK BAILEY NEWHOUSE FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTER Pat J. O''Neill, Director 113 Maple Street E-mail: clarkbaileynewhouse@charter.net Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan 49783 FAX: 906/632-7521 Ph: 906/632-8221 OBITUARY Rita Jean Hunter passed away in her home on May 19, 2009. Rita was born on August 23, 1963 in Baraboo, Wisconsin. A woman of truly considerable strength she held close to her heart the traditions and practices of her native culture. Everyday she lived the values and virtues that define traditional native life. As a young woman, Rita was a rebel traveler, crisscrossing her away across the United States, making friends everywhere that her travels took her. When she grew older, she returned to her homeland of Bay Mills and settled, making a home for herself, her four sons (John Perez, Allen Teeple, Alexander Teeple, Edgar Teeple II), three daughters (Sharolyn Warner, Sarah Teeple, Crystal Church) and husband, Alex Easton. A consummate friend to so many, it was rare to find Rita without at least one or two children in the vehicle with her. Whether she was going out to her favorite fishing spot, collecting pine cones or various seasonal berries, it was guaranteed that Rita would have at least one child with her. A kind and gentle woman, children lovingly took to her. Rita''s home was open to anyone that had a need. Whether human or animal, from her dogs Gimwa and Nodin that she found abandoned on the side of the road and nursed with bottles back to the health, to the many people who found a safe haven with her and quickly came to know her as "auntie" or "grandma." While not always rich in material things, anything she had was freely given to those that she considered friends. Rita always appeared happiest when she donned her traditional Native American Regalia at one of the many powwows that she found herself at during the course of her life. She took great delight in designing and creating intricate traditional powwow dress. She faced life with a tenacity and voraciousness tempered only by her tender heart. There was no obstacle that came into Rita''s life that she could not overcome, no burden to great for her to bear. With an unparalleled sense of humor, Rita will be most remembered for her quick wit and uncanny ability to push the "right" button. Rita could humble the most boastful man and make quick work of anyone that crossed her. It is with great sadness that we return her to the creator and wish her well on her travels. While it is always tragic to witness the passing of those that we love, we know that she has traveled on to be with those who passed before, including her son Robbie who passed at the tender age of seven, after a long battle with leukemia. Her legacy lives on in the many lives that she has touched. The qualities that defined the life of this incredible woman can be found in her children, grand-children and other individuals, who while not necessarily being related by blood, were by all accounts family. Rita is also survived by many brothers and sisters: Sharon (Butch) Hunter, Douglas Hunter, Sr. Jeffrey (Debra) Hunter, Gail Culpepper, Lori Teeple, Mikeal "Angelo" Sylvester and Alexander Sylvester. Also surviving her are many grandchildren: River Warner, Edgar Teeple III, Druid Warner, Shadow Teeple, Harmony Warner and Cassidy Teeple. Rita is also survived by her father, Jay Hunter. Rita was predeceased in death by a son Robert, a daughter Edith Marie, mother Linda Sylvester and grandparents John and Ethel McCance. Traditional services will be held on Friday, May 22 beginning at 4 pm and continuing through Saturday in the Waishkey Center Gymnasium in Bay Mills.

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Rita Jean Hunter

August 23, 1963 - May 19, 2009