John Munson - 1923- 2012John Munson passed away peacefully on April 29, 2012.

He was 88 years old.John was born to Edwin and Clara (Goodyear) Oshkenaniew near Neopit, WI on the Menominee Indian Reservation. He is 7/8 Menominee and part Objibay (Canadian descent), Indian. All his writings are signed "Namakee" which means "Thunder" or loud noise. Oshkenaniew means "a big man, a leader among his peers."At age 7 after his mother died, he was adopted by Carl Munson, a Norwegian and Mary (Mone) Munson. Although a Menominee, humorously he referred to himself as a "Norwegian Indian from Wisconsin."He was in the military between 1942 and 1953, serving in the New Guinea and later in Fairbanks, Alaska. After he left the military, he went to Layton Art School for a year and a half.After his school years he married Thelma Martin. They adopted 4 children; Ken, John, Lisa and Charles. When Thelma died in 1976, John moved his family to Portland, OR. He worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs. Here he met his current wife Grace (Techolsky) Flaherty. They were married for 32 years.

Their favorite social activity was square dancing, which they participated in for about 30 years. John also pursued all phases of art including oil painting, carving, sewing and writing humor (Will Rogers' style).His motto was "Make everyone your friend, even the smallest worm, â??cause someday you may want to go fishing."

His Wish: To be remembered for DOING things he ENJOYED doing, rather than HATED for things he didn't do.

John is survived by his wife Grace, son Charles of Portland, granddaughter Mone Tulee and four great grandchildren of Spokane, and several nieces from WI.

A memorial service will be held at 1pm; Thursday, May 10, 2012 at Simon-Woodburn Funeral Chapel. Remembrances, in lieu of flowers, may be made to Willamette Valley Hospice, 1015 Third St. NW Salem, OR 97304