HOLTON-Wesley “Wab sia” Wishkeno, 91, of Topeka died July 5, 2007 in Rossville, Kansas. He was born August 9, 1915 on the Potawatomi Common Land, the son of Arthur and Sara Wapp Wishkeno.
He graduated from the Haskell Institute in Lawrence, KS in 1940. He served in the U.S. Army during WWII. He was an independent painting contractor and retired from Kansas State University in 1992. He was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, the Drum Religion and Valencia Neighborhood Association.
He married Nettie “Ko si kwe” Keesis on December 15, 1945 in Topeka. She died January 20, 2000. He was also preceded in death by 2 sisters, Virginia Cadue and Alethia Bidwell and 2 brothers, Calvin Wishkeno and Ivan Wishkeno, Sr.
Survivors include his son, Lance Wishkeno of Topeka, KS; 4 daughters, Camilla Chouteau, Audrey Simon and Nancy Llamas all of Topeka, KS, and Bernadine Wishkeno of Albuquerque, NM; 2 sisters, Mary Wishkeno Delg of Lawrence, KS and Wilma Wishkeno Anquoe of K.C., MO; 4 grandchildren; 2 great-grandchildren; 3 adopted children, James Hale, Judy Wabaunsee and Rosalyn Hale all of Mayetta and his assistant caregiver, Glenda Stenger.
Drum services will be Sunday evening at the Danceground Building (150th & K Rd.). Burial will be Monday afternoon at the Wishkeno Cemetery (150th & O Rd.) with military honors provided by We ta se Post #410. He will lie in state until 3:30 p.m. Sunday at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Memorials may be given to We-ta-se Post #410 c/o Mercer Funeral Home, Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.
- Courtesy Mercer Funeral Home