Sophilia Jayne Keahna "Mattinokea", 57, of Tama, passed away Wednesday, May 17, 2023 at the Iowa River Hospice Home in Marshalltown of natural causes surrounded by family. Visitation will be held Wednesday, May 17, 2023 from 4-6 PM at Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home in Tama. A Traditional Wake will be held Wednesday evening at the Fox Clan Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama. Traditional Graveside Services will be held Thursday, May 18, 2023 at 2:00 PM at the Morgan Cemetery on the Settlement.

Sophilia was born on October 18, 1965, in Marshalltown, Iowa, the daughter of Nadine (Lasley) Big Bear and Sidney Keahna.

Sophilia graduated from Marshalltown High School in 1984, attended Job Corps and obtained her certification as a CNA and CMA. She later attained her LPN and RN certifications from Hawkeye Community College. In 2013, she started working at the Meskwaki Settlement School in Tama, Iowa, as a Teaching Assistant for the language program then became a Meskwaki Language and Culture teacher, sharing with her students the culture of language of the Meskwaki.

Her pastimes included traditional singing and dancing, beading, going to the Meskwaki Casino, watching Jeopardy and Discovery ID, and spending time with family as well as the staff and students at the Meskwaki Settlement School. Sophilia enjoyed living her traditional ways and helping people.

Survivors include her children. Eric Lee Head, Ellis Jessup Lasley, Rolando Gaston Keahna, Reimundo Jessup Balderas, Irene Mae Keahna, Orlando Wayne Lasley and Sophie Leila Balderas; her special companion, Armando Balderas Lira; adopted daughters, Courtney Rose Davenport and Elise Lussier; adopted son, Val Lussier; adopted brother, Virgil Lasley; adopted mothers, Marilyn McKee, Sharon Mauskemo and Marian (Wanatee) Davenport; siblings, Duke Keahna, Thomasine Keahna; aunts, Priscilla Wanatee, Peggy Wanatee, Patsy Lasley, Stella Youngbear, Eloise Lasley, Darlene Snowball, Carma Wanatee, Rochelle Keahna and Rhonda Waseskuk; uncles, Clark Lasley and Verlyn Keahna; and many other relatives, too numerous to list.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Nadine (Lasley) Big Bear in 2011; maternal grandparents, Jessup and Leila Lasley; paternal grandparents, Gaston and Edna (Youngbear) Keahna; aunts, Eloise Lasley, Violet Cleveland, Carmen Wanatee and Theresa Keahna; uncles, Gordon Lasley Sr., Mark Lasley and Alfred Keahna; father through adoption, Garry Davenport Sr.; special friend, Geraldine Davenport; and brother through adoption, Garry Davenport Jr.