Justin Pahmahmie 1986-2025
Justin Ryan “Ak wa be” Pahmahmie, 39, of Mayetta, passed away unexpectedly Saturday, Dec. 27, 2025, at Stormont-Vail Hospital in Topeka.
He was born April 19, 1986, in Topeka, the son of Richard, Jr. and Pamela (Brewer) Pahmahmie. He was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Justin graduated from Royal Valley High School in 2004. He graduated from Haskell Indian Nations University with a golf scholarship. He graduated magna cum laude from The University of Kansas with a bachelor’s degree in accounting in 2010 and earned his executive master’s degree of business administration in 2022 at Michigan State University Eli Broad College of Business.
He was the assistant general manager of tribal operations for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation. He was the treasurer for the board of directors at Prairie Band Casino and Resort and a member of the APA Pool League.
Justin loved to travel and enjoyed attending concerts. He was an avid Denver Broncos fan and he loved to golf. He previously worked for other Potawatomi bands such as Gun Lake Potawatomi-Match-E-Be-Nash-She-Wish, Pokagan Band of Potawatomi and Forest County Potawatomi in Milwaukee, Wisc. Justin’s goal in life was to get his education and gain employment experience and bring that knowledge back to the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Survivors include his parents, Richard and Pamela Pahmahmie of Mayetta; a brother, Zach Pahmahmie of Mayetta; two sisters, Richele Pahmahmie and Tamara Pahmahmie (Junior Ramirez), both of Mayetta; two adopted brothers, Curtis Keltner (Katherine), in Texas, and Michael Keltner (Linda) of Topeka; two beloved cats, Harry and Lloyd; and numerous aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews.
Family will greet friends from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Dec. 29 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. Drum services will be held Tuesday evening, Dec. 30 at Danceground Building on the reservation. Burial will be held Wednesday afternoon at Wahwaksum Cemetery.
To leave a special message for the family, please visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(PAID OBITUARY)
