August 18, 2015
MAYETTA – Geneva J. “Ja-Blue” Upton, Peg-No-Kwe, 75, of Mayetta, died Tuesday, August 18, 2015 at the North Kansas City Hospital, while traveling home from a tribal gathering in Wisconsin.
She was born April 14, 1940 at home on the common land, the daughter of Tom Rhodd and Mary Moore Levier. She had worked at Brewster Place in Topeka, retiring in 2004.
Geneva was a member of the Prairie Band of Potawatomi Nation and the Drum Religion.
She married Joseph Mattwaoshshe. He died May 26, 2011.
Geneva 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, ten great grandchildren and many nieces and nephews.
Drum services will be Saturday evening at the Dance Ground west of Mayetta. Burial will be Sunday afternoon in the Shipshee Cemetery. Geneva will lie in state after 1:00 p.m. Friday at the Chapel Oaks Funeral Home at Hoyt where family and friends will meet from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. (Courtesy of Chapel Oaks Funeral Home, Holton, Kan.)