Robert Mahkuk 1966-2017
Robert Joseph “Na-Naw-We” Mahkuk, 50, Mayetta, died Thursday, July 6, 2017, at Stormont-Vail Hospital.
He was born Oct. 8, 1966, in Holton, the son of Fred Mahkuk and Vernona L. “Vernie” Knoxsah Lewis. He graduated from Two Eagle River School in 1984 in Dixon, Mont. He had spent most of his life on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation and had also lived in Montana and Washington.
Mr. Mahkuk was a forest fire fighter in Montana, mostly working in the mountain forests. He also worked construction, building bridges for Midwest Construction in Holton.
He was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation, the Native American Church and the Carpenters Union.
Survivors include his mother, Vernie Lewis, Mayetta; his father, Fred Mahkuk, in Wisconsin; six children, Brandy Mahkuk, Pablo, Mont., Shovonne Mahkuk, Wolfpoint, Mont., Isaac Mahkuk and Ivan Mahkuk, both of Polson, Mont., and Battice “Batman” Mahkuk and Mariah Mahkuk, both of Delia; nine sisters, Anna Mahkuk, Topeka, Linda Mahkuk, Belvue, Rebecca DeVore, Topeka, Mary Mahkuk, Ronan, Mont., Marissa Mahkuk, Missoula, Mont., Shannon Hurd, Wichita, Jeanette Mahkuk-Scott, Topeka, Vicky Mahkuk-Malatare, Ronan, Mont., and Terry Hernandez, Minco, Okla.; four brothers, J.C. Mahkuk and Matthew Mahkuk, both in Montana, Melvin Lewis, Robinson, and Daniel Adler, Moise, Mont.; and 14 grandchildren.
He was preceded in death by his stepfather, Gerald F. “Pukinia” Lewis, on May 30, 2017; and a brother, Tony “Nack-Twa-Tuck” Mahkuk, in 2004.
Native American Services were held Sunday evening at the Native American Church. Burial was held this morning (Monday) in Mahkuk Cemetery. Mercer Funeral Home in Holton is in charge of arrangements.
