Vernie Lewis 1941-2017

Vernona L. “Vernie” Lewis, 76, Mayetta, died Sunday, Dec. 10, 2017, at her daughter’s home in Belvue after battling cancer.

She was born Nov. 12, 1941, in Mayetta, the daughter of Henry and Leona Mzhickteno Knoxsah. She attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence.

Mrs. Lewis was a homemaker, housecleaner and babysitter.

She was a member of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Native American Church.

She married Fred Mahkuk. They divorced. She married Gerald F. Lewis on March 15, 1972, in Ogden. He died May 30, 2017. She was also preceded in death by two sons, Tony Mahkuk, in 2004, and Robert Mahkuk, on July 6, 2017; and three brothers, James, David and Virgil Knoxsah.

Survivors include seven children, Anna Mahkuk and husband Paul, Topeka, Linda Mahkuk and husband Travis Egbert, Belvue, Rebecca DeVore and husband Paul, Sherry Lewis and Sharlene Lopez, all of Topeka, Terry Hernandez and husband Raphael, Minco, Okla., and Melvin Lewis and wife Tiffany, Robinson; two sisters, Aurora Martin and Deena Desjarlias, both of Mayetta; two brothers, Martin Knoxsah, Hutchinson, and Clifford Knoxsah, Topeka; and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Native American services will be held Friday evening at the Native American Church on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation. Burial will be held Saturday morning at Mahkuk Cemetery. The family will greet friends from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Thursday at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.

The Holton Recorder

109 W. Fourth St.
Holton, KS 66436
Phone: 785-364-3141
 

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