Rosanna Jessepe 1944-2024
Rosanna “Mah’gehnot” Whiteskunk Jessepe, 80, Mayetta, died Wednesday, Aug. 14, 2024, at her home.
She was born Feb. 28, 1944, in Elk City, Okla., the daughter of Jones Edward Sr. and Mary Elkriver Whiteskunk. She graduated from Hammon High School in 1962 in Hammon, Okla., and from Haskell Indian Nations University with an associate’s degree in 1964.
Mrs. Jessepe worked in her parents’ farm fields as a youth. She worked for Indian Health Services at Clinton Indian Hospital and later as a CHR coordinator and for the IIM at the BIA as an accounting technician. She also worked for the State of Kansas in the workers compensation attorney’s department.
She was a member of the Cheyenne and Arapaho Tribe in Oklahoma, Hammon Indian Baptist Church, Redmoon Service Club, Cheyenne Sundance and the Native American Church.
She married Ronald “Buzz” Jessepe in 1999. He survives.
Other survivors include two daughters, Jodi Jessepe and Rose Charisse Warrior, both of Mayetta; six sisters, Carol and Hallie Whiteskunk, both of Weatherford, Okla., Clarice Whiteskunk-Jacket, Towaoc, Colo., Mary E. Whiteskunk, Shawnee, Okla., Delores Fisher, Lawrence, and Wanda Whiteman, El Reno, Okla.; 10 grandchildren; and 10 great-grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her daughter, Jacquelyn “Wamigokwe” “Maheo noh” Levier; four sisters, Nellie Whiteskunk, Josephine Whiteskunk, Jean Whiteskunk and Jill Whiteskunk Sheridan; and a brother, Jones Edward Whiteskunk Jr.
Visitation will be held from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. Friday, Aug. 16 at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. “Ttibekwe” will be held at sundown Saturday, Aug. 17 with Native American church services to follow at the Jessepe residence, 15975 L4 Lane, Mayetta. The family requests last viewing at 8 a.m. Sunday, Aug. 18 at the residence with the burial to follow at 10 a.m. at Shipshee Cemetery. A noon meal will be served after the burial at the Jessepe residence.
