February 13, 2012 –
RALPH (POK-TO) TECUMSEH
Mayetta- Ralph “Porky” Tecumseh, 73, of Mayetta passed away Saturday February 11, 2012 at his home.
He was born December 5, 1938, on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Common Land , the son of Frank and Lillian (Waubiness) Tecumseh. He had lived most of his life in Mayetta and retired from Prairie Band Casino where he had worked as a slot technician since its opening. He was a member of the Drum Religion, the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and had served in the United States Army. He also was a member of the We-ta-sa Legion Post 410 and had played on a traveling basketball teams for many years. He married Paula VanTassel and they later divorced.
On October 16, 1982, Ralph married Linda Nozhackum. She survives. Other survivors include: his parents, Lillian of Crandon, WI and Ron and LaVeda Wahweotten of Hoyt, KS; his sons, Frank Tecumseh and wife Melissa of Hoyt, KS, Nelson Tecumseh of Topeka, KS, Mario Kitchkommie of Mayetta, KS, Cody Nozhackum of Mayetta, KS and Lance Wishkeno of Topeka, KS; his daughters, Amber Tecumseh and her husband Cody Wilson of Mayetta, KS, Bernadine Wishkeno of Albuqerque, NM, Camilla Chouteau of Topeka, KS, Nancy Llamas of Topeka, KS and Audrey Simon of Topeka, KS; his sisters, Evelyn Hopkins of Mayetta, KS, Yvonne Kelty of Black River Falls, WI and Tina Wahweotten of Mayetta, KS; his brothers, Ron Kelty of Lac Du Flambeau, WI, Jerry Tuckwin of Lawrence, KS, Tom Tuckwin of Hoyt, KS, Tony Wahweotten of Mayetta, KS, Raymond Wahweotten of Delia, KS, Mark Lopez of Delia, KS and Chuck Wahweotten of Mayetta, KS; and his five grandchildren, Mikal, Rose, Hannah, Miles and Nes. He was preceded in death by his father Frank and his sister Rosemond Tecumseh.
Drum services will be Tuesday evening February 14, 2012 at the Danceground west of Mayetta. Burial with military honors will be Wednesday afternoon at Potts Cemetery. The family will greet friends Monday evening from 4-6:00 p.m. at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton. To leave a special message for the family, visit www.mercerfuneralhomes.com
(Courtesy of Mercer Funeral Home-Holton, Kan.)