It is with sadness we announce the passing of Gail Lee Okanee on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, at the age of 54 years.

Gail was born on January 8, 1972, being the New Year’s baby at the local hospital in Turtleford. She was a wife, sister, aunt, mother and grandmother, as the matriarch of her family she loved her children, grandchildren and cousins who she took as her siblings. Gail was kind and loving but also fiercely protective of her loved ones.

Her home was a place where she made people feel welcome and loved, she was always ready to cook for her guests, catching up over tea/coffee. She had a sense of humor that could make you laugh uncontrollably; she loved to laugh and joke with everyone.

She was a strong and independent woman who always managed on her own. Gail was always willing to help others if she was able to especially family and friends, she was always willing to cook. Her specialty that was known in the community was fried bannock. Her favorite cooking utensil was a big spoon and her frying pan.

Gail was predeceased by her parents Howard and Freda Okanee; brothers, Howard Jr., Mark Okanee; sister, Melissa Okanee, sons; baby Creedence Horse, Neal Okanee, sister/cousin Nancy Anne Okanee, Mother-in-law Nancy Horse, grandparents; William and Nancy Okanee, John and Elsie Lewis, Great-grandparents James and Maggie Okanee, Sidney Frank, Mary Thunderchild, Ernest and Harriet Ochipwao, Frank Goodfellow and Cher-cha-weese; uncles; Clifford Lewis (Chap), Eugene Okanee, Gary Gordon Okanee, aunts; Edith Ochipwao, Rema Lewis, Nora Lewis.

Gail is survived by her loving spouse Aaron, son, Howard lll (Delsie) Okanee, Kieran Okanee; step daughter Stoney Paddy; sisters Valerie Lisa (Darwin), Peggy Lewis, Genevieve Horse, Rosaleen Morin, Leona Star, Jodi Okanee,Crystal Lewis; brothers , Max Lewis, Donavan Starr, Blake Weekusk, Gerald Okanee, Everette Okanee; adopted mom Sara Lonesinger; Step-mother Shirley Tootoosis; aunts Thelma Lewis, Brenda (Gordon) Lewis, Pauline Okanee, Linda Okanee and Karen (Gary) MacDonald; uncles; Richard (Mary Rose) Keenatch, Larry (Bev) Lewis, Garry Lewis, Eldon Okanee, Jerry Okanee ;numerous nieces, nephews.

Gail’s Wake will begin at 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Thunderchild Health Centre, Thunderchild First Nation, Saskatchewan.

The Funeral Service will be held at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, July 6, 2026, at the Thunderchild Health Centre, Thunderchild First Nation, Saskatchewan.

• Date : 2026-07-01
• Location : Thunderchild Health Centre