Sylvia Johnson 1960-2023

Sylvia Jean Johnson, Meeks-Ah-Quah, 62, Topeka, died Wednesday, July 26, 2023, at her sister’s home in Oskaloosa.

She was born July 27, 1960, in Topeka, the daughter of Orville Rice Jr. and Betty Mahkuk Rice. She graduated from Seaman High School in 1978.

Mrs. Johnson had worked for the Prairie Band Potawatomi Tribe since 2002.

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

She married Jay M. Johnson on Aug. 17, 2002, at Lake Shawnee in Topeka. He survives.

Other survivors include a stepdaughter, Autumn Johnson; two brothers, Chris Rice, Nedrow, N.Y., and Calvin Masqua; two sisters, Shirley Mitchell and husband Tom, Oskaloosa, and Jeanette Little Sun, Hoyt; two grandchildren, Brody and Blaine Weyand; and nieces and nephews. She was preceded in death by her father, Orville Rice Jr.; and two brothers, Bradley Orville Rice and Kevin Hicks Rice.

Sylvia will lie in state from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, July 29 at Chapel Oaks Funeral Home in Hoyt. Native American Church services will be held Saturday evening, July 29 at the Native American Church west of Mayetta. Burial will be held at 10 a.m. Sunday in Mahkuk Cemetery.