James Wabaunsee 1970-2015
James Louis “Wasko Nebi” Wabaunsee, 45, Topeka, died Wednesday, Dec. 30, 2015, at Select Specialty Hospital in Kansas City.
He was born Sept. 29, 1970, in Topeka, the son of Louis and Judith Hale Wabaunsee. He graduated from Seaman High School in 1989 and graduated from The University of Kansas School of Education in 1993 with a bachelor of science degree in education. He received his master of physical therapy degree in 1995 at Mayo School of Health-Related Sciences in Rochester, Minn., and his doctorate in physical therapy at The University of Kansas School of Allied Health in 2010.
Mr. Wabaunsee worked for Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and was instrumental in forming vocational rehabilitation at Prairie Band Social Services. He also worked for St. Francis Rehabilitation and Holton Community Hospital Rehabilitation.
He was a member of the Drum Religion and Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. He had served one term on the Potawatomi Tribal Council.
He married Natalie Jefferson on Aug. 26, 2005, in Topeka. She survives.
Other survivors include three daughters, Ishta, Madison and Amyah, all of the home; his parents, Louis and Judith Wabaunsee, Topeka; and a sister, Ursula Fish, Topeka.
Drum services were held Saturday at the Danceground Building west of Mayetta. Burial was held Sunday in the Matwe-Shobney Cemetery.
Memorial contributions may be made to the James Wabaunsee Memorials Fund, to be designated at a later date and sent in care of Mercer Funeral Home, P.O. Box 270, Holton, KS 66436.
