Frederic Jack All Runner, “Motse’eoeze,” began his journey into the spirit world on November 13 th , 2020, in Billings, Montana after 84 years among us here.
Fred was born on the All Runner homestead, September 21st, 1936, minutes after his twin sister, Frances Toni All Runner. Fred was born in Thomas, Oklahoma, to his parents Jack and Emily All Runner.
Fred was given the Cheyenne name, “Motse’eoeze,” which translates to, “Sweet Medicine,” in the Tsistsistas (Cheyenne) language.
Fred attended school in Thomas, Oklahoma. Immediately following his high school career, he joined the United States Army and was stationed in Germany. While in the US Army he was also a golden gloves boxer. His fellow soldiers gave him the nickname, “Smitty.” Fred returned to the United States, where he received an Honorable Discharge from the United States Army.
Fred then returned home to Thomas, Oklahoma, where he later told his mother Emily, that he decided to re-enlist in the military. Fred then enlist in the Unites States Air Force. While serving in the Air Force, Fred was stationed in Germany and traveled to France and Italy. He met another Native American, Bill Whitehead, who was from the Fort Peck Assiniboine & Sioux Reservation in Northeastern Montana. Bill and Fred became good buddies in the Army and took one another as brothers.
Fred moved to El Monte, California, after his service in the United States Air Force to be with the rest of his family. Fred met LaDonna Atchico, and to this union they had six children. Fred also met Pauline Kipp, and to this union they had one child. It was approximately 1973 that Fred met the love of his life Iris (Red Elk) All Runner and to this union he raised four children.
Fred graduated in 1972 from Vocational School and started his professional career in Nursing. He worked in California as a nurse until 1981, him and Iris then moved to Wolf Point, Montana, were he planted his roots and made Wolf Point his home. He worked in Wolf Point as an EMT, then a nurse for Trinity Hospital and Indian Health Service (IHS). After a very long career of continuous employment, Fred decided to retire from IHS in 2019, at the age of 83, with over 44 years of service. Fred had the ability to touch everyone’s life and many considered him a father, uncle, brother and friend. He had a work ethic, that to this day, his children have seen unmatched, always first to arrive and last to leave.
Fred’s was part of the local Legion Post Honor Guard, his hobbies include working on cars and spending time with family. He especially enjoyed watching all types of sports on TV, his favorite teams were the Dodgers and Chargers. He was happy that the Dodgers won the 2020 World Series. Fred was athletic and not only a boxer, but an accomplished Fast Pitch Softball player, in the Los Angeles Indian League. He became a top rated pitcher and won numerous trophies and awards. He and Iris went on to have his own team, known as the, “All Tribes” team and he later sponsored this team in numerous tournaments. His love for softball created a love for the sport in all his children.
Fred was a quiet, humble man, he was not known to brag about coming from a Cheyenne Chief family, or being a Veteran of two Military branches, or an accomplished athlete. He was the example how we should all live, humble, giving, caring, honest and strong.
Fred also had a humorous side to him, he loved to play jokes on people, to name a few, hiding shoes (mostly in the freezer), sticking things in coat sleeves so when you put your arm in you would find it, or when Iris’s back was turned, filling her purse with random objects that she wouldn’t find until she got home. He definitely had a way to make you laugh and smile.
Fred is survived by his wife of 47 years Iris All Runner, daughters: Joetta (Lance) Four Star of Wolf Point, Eva All Runner of Wolf Point, Stephanie (Jason) Charger of Eagle Butte, SD, Colette (Henry) Garcia of Roswell, NM, Yvette All Runner of Riverside, CA, Kim All Runner of Wolf Point, sons: Fred II (Debra) All Runner of Geary, OK, Craig (Jamie) All Runner of Redwoods, MN, Steve Barr of Wolf Point, Russell (Anjannette) Barr of Wolf Point, and Austin (Tara) Barr of Wolf Point, sister: Mary All Runner of ElCajon, CA, adopted brothers: Bill Whitehead of Wolf Point, John (Wanda) Dawson of California, David Klipel of California, Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren, Nieces, Nephews, and relatives too numerous to list.
Fred is preceded in death by his grandparents, Cheyenne Peace Chief Jacob All Runner & Sage Woman, his parents Jack and Emily All Runner, his brother Lionel, his twin sister Toni, his sisters Alice Mae, Nadine, Eva, his granddaughters Sandy and Angel, great granddaughter Asher, great grandsons Karsen and James, son-in-law Joshua Jackson, daughter-in-law Elisa Barr, and his dog “Flip”.
The family apologizes beforehand if anyone, or any of Fred’s life events were left out, it is not the intention of the family to miss anyone or anything on purpose. Fred will be missed by many.
We love him and he will never be forgotten.
Due to COVID-19 guidelines we are asked to keep attendance at the services limited to 30 individuals. Masks are required for all public services.