Kateri Jean Bishop

On Tuesday, May 4, 2021, Kateri Jean Bishop, loving Wife, Mother, Grandmother and Aunt passed away at the age of 76.

Kateri (Terri, - Cante’ Waste’ Win pronounced Chaunt’ tay washtay’wee meaning “Good Hearted Woman”) was born October 20, 1944 in Nebraska but later moved with her Grandmother to the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota As a young woman, she moved to Spokane and worked as a waitress and pursued her GED, followed by Secretarial school. Her first secretarial position was with the Museum for Native American Culture followed by secretary for Governor Dixie Lee Ray and then the Washington State Patrol. She furthered her education at Eastern Washington University where she received her Masters in Social work with a 4.0 which led her to serving with the State for 28 years with DSHS and CPS.

Terri had a passion for children’s welfare and touched the lives of many families through the years, many who have stayed in contact. She was a driving force with the Children's Justice Task Force and in her earlier years was a national guest speaker and eventually became coordinator for the event. Her work extended to Indian Child Welfare where she championed reunification processes and advocated for the preservation of the Native American culture. She was also a board member on several Mental Health and Native American organizations. Terri will always be remembered for her work in the community and the many lives she has touched. She was compassionate, thoughtful, sensitive and had a servants heart.

Terri was proceeded in death by her Mother and Grandmother as well as two sons, Mike and Baron. She is survived by her Husband Ron and her children Anna, Carol, Carmen, Bob, Brian, Jim, Jeff. Grandchildren Elyse, Kayla, Bryan, Adrian, Michael, Izaac, Sam, Kathryn, Stephanie, Mario, Prisilla, Danette, Jeremy, Dean, Nathan, Jace and dozens of great grand children as well as one great – great grandchild.

Public viewing will be held Tuesday, May 11, 2021 at 1 pm and services will commence at 2 pm at the Eastpoint Church located in the Spokane Valley at 15303 E. Sprague.

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