Rachel Juneafred Munson

Rachel Juneafred Munson, “Junnie”, passed away in peace November 11, 2022 and is now in her Savior’s presence. She was born on June 25, 1927 to Fred and Angeline Lyons in Whiteriver, South Dakota. Her father, Frithiof “Fred”, homesteaded the land in Millette County, SD, where he and Angie lived. Junnie loved the Black Hills of South Dakota. Her parents moved quite often in her early life. She was tired of the family’s uprooting as her father was an itinerant carpenter, and decided to live with her maternal grandparents, the Terpins, in Junction City, Oregon where she graduated from high school. After applying to USC, the Lyons family moved to Los Angeles where she attended the 1st Covenant Evangelical Church in downtown Los Angeles. It was there she met her husband, Ivan. They had two daughters, Claudia (Jim) Shaw, and Shayna (Jim) Powell, who have her two granddaughters, Briana Powell and Erica Powell, who has her two great grandchildren, Cole and Kennedy. Junnie had many interests - love of horses, was an avid archer and gymnast in her youth, an extraordinary seamstress always dressing in the current styles, a millinery worker in LA, and was her church secretary for many years. She and Ivan moved to the desert in 1972 when they bought Cy Titus’ jewelry store in downtown Indio, and owned Munson Jewelers for over 40 years. They attended the original home Bible study which grew through the years to become Southwest Church and were considered founding members, of which she was the last surviving member. She was a woman who loved her Lord and her family and had a great zest for life. She was always known for her smiling happy countenance even to the end of her life. A graveside service will take place on December 16, 2022, at the Coachella Valley Cemetery.