Joanne D (Elwell) Hunt

September 21, 1945 - May 15, 2017

Joanne D. (Elwell) Hunt (71) of Toppenish passed away on May 15, 2017 in Yakima. Joanne was born in Yakima to George and Julianne (Shaarnute) Elwell on September 21, 1945. She was an enrolled member of the Yakama Nation where she was raised and educated. She enjoyed beadwork, sewing and going to the casino. Joanne worked for the Yakama Nation and Puyallup Tribal Police departments as a dispatcher and later as a cage supervisor and gaming agent at Legends Casino. She is survived by three daughters, Varinia Hunt, Venus Tasympt and Velvetta Hunt; two sons, Vern and Harrison Hunt; the childrens father, Virgil J. Hunt Jr.; 19 grandchildren and six great grandchildren; her aunt and uncle, Wanda and Andrew Elwell Jr.; seven brothers, Maurice, Galen, West, Forrest, Joe, Merle and George Jay Sunny Elwell; three sisters, Suzie Sutterlict, Karen and Jolene Elwell; her good friends, Terry Lewis, Lucy LaClair and Mercedes Redhorn and numerous nieces and nephews. Joanne was preceded in death by her parents; one brother, Goliah Elwell Sr.; four sisters, Carol and Genita Elwell, Leanita Meninick and Anita Hunt Totus Walsey. Dressing services were held at 2PM on Tuesday May 16, 2017 at the Toppenish Creek Longhouse in White Swan with overnight services following at 7PM. Sunrise services will be at the Toppenish Creek Cemetery on Wednesday. Friends can send condolences at www.toppenishfunerals.com. Heggie's Colonial Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.