Geneva Papakee, 75, of Tama passed away Friday, August 22, 2014 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown. Traditional Graveside Services will be held Sunday, August 24, 2014 at 2:00 PM at Morgan Cemetery on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama with Homer Bear Jr. as speaker. Visitation will be held Saturday, August 23, 2014 from 1-3 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama with a wake following that evening at the Bear Clan Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement.


Geneva was born on August 24, 1938, at the Sac and Fox Indian Sanatorium in Toledo, Iowa, the daughter of William and Alice (Davenport) Poweshiek Sr. She attended the Sac and Fox Day School and Tama High School. She was united in marriage to Clyde Papakee in September of 1956 in Holton, KS. Geneva had previously worked at the Sac and Fox Day School and Meskwaki Bingo. She retired as Meskwaki Senior Services director in 2012. Geneva enjoyed playing bingo and the slots. She also enjoyed cooking and baking for her family, and was famous for her pies and yeast rolls. Geneva liked spending time with her family especially her grandkids and great-grandkids.
Survivors include her husband Clyde Papakee Sr. of Tama; four daughters, Clydene (Adolph) Bear, Monica Papakee, Alicia (Odie Oldbear) Papakee, and Kelly Sam all of Tama; three sons, Clyde Papakee Jr., Brian Papakee, and Lamont Papakee all of Tama; grandchildren, Lucius and Travis Bear, James, Jewel, Lorilyn, Elizabeth, and Levi Papakee, Esabel Garcia, Nathan Seymour, Kiedis Oldbear, Maria, Ernie Jr., Samantha, Ezra, and Kyla Sam, Narissa and Nastrisha Banks; twenty-three great-grandchildren; three sisters, Louise Young Bear of Tama, Marlis Kaniatobe of Alhambra, CA, and Doris American Horse of West Covina, CA; adopted sisters, Barbara Keahna and Arlene Keahna; and an adopted brother, Ernie (Iris) Roberts.
Preceding her in death were her parents; three daughters, Lori Lynne Papakee, Tracy Lynne Papakee, and Jonette Lincoln; three sisters, Kathleen Poweshiek, Frances Blackcloud, and Hazel Roberts; and two brothers, Willy and Eugene Poweshiek.