Dena Rae Whitebreast, 57, of Tama, passed away, Wednesday, October 7, 2020 at  Cedar Valley Hospice in Waterloo. A Traditional Wake will be held Thursday evening, October 8, 2020 at the Bear Clan Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama. Traditional Graveside Services will be held Friday, October 9, 2020 at 2:00 PM at the Meskwaki Cemetery on the Settlement.

Dena was born on July 28, 1963,  in Waterloo, IA, the daughter of Janet (Youngbear) Whitebreast and Dean Whitebreast.

Dena loved anything leopard print. She enjoyed old school R&B, engaging in art therapy, spending time with grandkids and cooking to make her family happy. She also loved to laugh and have a good time.

Survivors include her son, Dirk (Lannesse) Whitebreast of Marshalltown; daughter, Delcie Whitebreast and adopted daughter, Olivia Kapayou both of Tama; five grandchildren, Miranda Washinawatok of Keshena, WI, Dayne and Jaliyah of Tama, and Nenookaasi and Waaseyaa of Marshalltown; mother, Janet Whitebreast of Tama; father, Dean (Hattie) Whitebreast of Montour; two sisters, Deanna Westphal of Ocala, FL, and Denise Ahrens of Spring Valley, MN; two brothers, Arlan Whitebreast of Tama, and Damon Whitebreast of Montour; adopted brother, John Roberts of Tama; two adopted sisters, Jolene Wanatee of Tama, and Barb Funmaker of Wisconsin Dells, WI; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her daughter Darcy Jo Whitebreast Keahna; paternal grandmother, Helen Pritchett; one brother Ira Dean Whitebreast Sr.; one sister Danette "Nettey" Whitebreast.