Geneva Upton 1940-2015

Geneva J. "Ja-Blue" Upton, Peg-No-Kwe, 75, Mayetta, died Tuesday, Aug. 18, 2015, at North Kansas City Hospital.

She was born April 14, 1940, on the Potawatomi Reservation, the daughter of Tom Rhodd and Mary Moore Levier.

Ms. Upton had worked at Brewster Place in Topeka, retiring in 2004. 

She was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and the Drum Religion.

She married Joseph Mattwaoshshe. He died May 26, 2011. She also was preceded in death by her parents; a brother, Albert Moore; and a sister, Martha Valdivia.

Survivors include two sons, Richard Rector and wife Mitchie, Mayetta, and Frank Rector, Topeka; two daughters, Paula Moore and husband Kabot, Mayetta, and Kathryn Boldt and husband Douglas, Topeka; a brother, Glenn Levier, Mayetta; two sisters, Bernadette Lewis, Valley Falls, and Sharon Levier, Topeka; nine grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

Drum services will be held Saturday evening at the Dance Ground west of Mayetta. Burial will be held Sunday afternoon in Shipshee Cemetery. Ms. Upton will lie in state after 1 p.m. Friday at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home at Hoyt where family and friends will meet from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m.