TAMA-Rhonda Jean Pushetonequa, age 51, of the Meskwaki Settlement, rural Tama, died on Tuesday, February 26, 2008 at Grinnell Regional Medical Center. Traditional graveside services will be Thursday, Feb. 28, 2008, at 2:00PM at the Meskwaki Cemetery on the settlement with Homer Bear Jr. as speaker. A Traditional wake will be held Wednesday evening, (Feb. 27, 2008) at the Bear Clan Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement.
Rhonda was born on October 27, 1956 in Wichita, Kansas, the daughter of Flora Jefferson and Judie Carl Wayne Wabaunasee. She spent most of her life on the Meskwaki Settlement. She graduated from Flandreau Indian School in 1976 where she was crowned Miss Flandreau Indian School and was voted Miss Congeniality. On December 11, 1976, she married Del Ray Pushetonequa in Toledo. Rhonda worked at the Iowa Veteran's Home, the Iowa Juvenile Home, and managed the Meskwaki Trading Post. A beloved community member, Rhonda was known for her love of traditional Meskwaki arts including ribbon work, beadwork, weaving, and sewing. She enjoyed dancing, going to pow-wows, playing at the casino, and cooking. Rhonda contributed to the Meskwaki community through out her lifetime; most recently on the enrollment committee, school board, and constitution reform. Her family and friends will remember her for her strength, commitment, and willingness to stand up for what she believed in.
She was preceded in death by her parents; a sister, Julie Sanache; and two brothers, John Wabaunasee and Bryan Wabaunasee.
Survivors include her husband Del Ray of Tama; three daughters, Yolanda Pushetonequa, Delonda Pushetonequa, and Delinda Pushetonequa; all of Tama; one son, Delson Pushetonequa of Tama; one grandson, Davian Charles Pushetonequa of Tama; five brothers, Alvin Sanache of Tama, Dallas Wabaunasee of Tama, Daniel Wabaunasee of Hawaii, Donald Wabaunasee of Arizona, and Deron Ward of Tama; two sisters, Shirley Sanache of Mitchellville and Toni Lasley of Tama; and many other relatives and friends.