Obituaries
Maxine Racehorse Edmo
FORT HALL – Maxine Racehorse Edmo, 91, passed away September 17, 2020 at her home in Ross Fork.
She was born May 4, 1929 to John Racehorse Jr. and Nettie Lucy Diggie Racehorse at the Diggie Orchard in Gibson.
She attended schools in Blackfoot, Idaho. She obtained her GED and later went on to Idaho State University Vocational Technical School to obtain her associates degree in marketing and management in 1989 at the age of 63.
She married Kesley Edmo Sr. in 1945 and they were married for more than 50 years before his passing. Together they had 11 children and also raised three grandchildren.
She was a strong advocate for Indian education and was first appointed to the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes education committee in the 70s. There was a lot of prejudice in the surrounding public schools where Native students attended. Committee members often had to deal with school administrators to address the issues and they often became frustrated because of how the students were treated. They tried to get meetings at Fort Hall so the tribal people could have a voice in student’s issues but sometimes they didn’t succeed.
When their committee met, they shared a room with others so she decided to work on getting a building. The result was the Human Resource Development Center (HRDC) that the Economic Development Administration funded. Many trips to Boise were made to meet with EDA officials to convince them of the need.
She saw a need for the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes to have their own school so she started advocating for it in the late 1960’s. In addition, she, along with her late husband Kesley Edmo Sr. knew they needed a stronger voice to get their concerns heard so they worked with local legislators including the late Emily McDermitt to get Sen. Robert Kennedy to visit the reservation.
Sen. Kennedy visited the Fort Hall Elementary School and different reservation homes in 1967. He witnessed the elementary school’s library being housed in a small closet and the poor condition of the building. She said that information was put into the Congressional Record and later the Johnson O’Malley and Title IV programs evolved on Indian education.
Throughout her years serving on the Tribal Education Committee, Maxine also served on the education committees of the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians, the National Congress of American Indians and the National Tribal Chairman’s Association.
It was important to serve on the committees, she said, because they were able to get resolutions approved that either strengthened existing programs or helped get new legislation approved.
In 1976, President Jimmy Carter appointed her to the National Advisory Council on Indian Education. The appointment enabled her to travel all over the country to advocate for Indian education and also was a savings to the Sho-Ban Tribes in terms of travel costs.
The Intermountain Indian School Board was another responsibility she took on and served for approximately four years from 1978 to 1982. It was a boarding school located in Brigham City, Utah.
She was a 4-H leader for 20 years and devoted much of her time to the children of the Ross Fork District of the Fort Hall Reservation. Maxine was a member of the Ross Fork District Committee for many years.
In addition, she served on the Federal Library Board that enabled her to lobby for funds for the Shoshone-Bannock Library.
She also served on the Sho-Ban School Board for many terms. Her efforts for a new tribal school finally succeeded and a new school was built in 1996.
Maxine was also a member of the Advisory Council for Indian Health Service national scholarship program.
Over the years she served on the Fort Hall Business Council, the Tribal Tax Commission, the Tribal Land Use Policy Commission and the Tribal Enrollment Committee.
Maxine was a founding member of the Chief Tahgee Elementary Academy language immersion school. She was also a Bannock language teacher.
Because of her dedicated service, Idaho Sen. James Risch (R-Idaho) nominated her for an Esto Perpetua Award that she received from the Idaho State Historical Society in 2016.
In addition, she served on the Tribes Return of the Boise Valley People committee and Bannock Gathering committee to advocate for returning to original homelands and educating the public about the true history of the areas. She loved participating in the Tribes cultural events. She also was a strong advocate for tribal sovereignty and Fort Bridger Treaty rights.
She loved the outdoors, bird watching, collecting rocks, camping, hunting, picnicking and spending time watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren participate in rodeo and other sporting events. In her early days she was a rodeo secretary and timer.
She is survived by her sons: Leo Edmo, Kesley (Lynda Lee) Edmo Jr., Blaine J. Edmo, Wesley (Nancy Grant) Edmo and Gary (Stub) Edmo. Her daughters: Lorraine (Jerry Cordova) Edmo, Louise (Clyde Sr.) Dixey and Lori Edmo. A sister Velda (Fred Auck) Racehorse and a brother Everett Satellite Weiser. Three grandchildren she raised Eugene Edmo, Rebecca Ellsworth and Casey Ellsworth, along with 23 grandchildren, 29 great grandchildren and 11 great, great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her husband Kesley Edmo Sr., a son Kevin Chaunce Edmo, her parents and two daughters Linda Edmo Stevens and Lucille Moe Edmo. Three brothers Lonnie Racehorse, Vernon “Peewee” Racehorse and Ernie Racehorse, along with a baby sister Betty Nola. Her close cousins Althea “Sophie” Blackhawk, Hazel Osborne, Boyd Hootchew, Cleve Racehorse and Clifford Houtz.
Maxine will be featured in a “Trailblazing Women of Idaho” exhibit the Idaho State Historical Society will soon be opening.
She was a traditional Native woman always giving and caring for her Nanewe (tribal people).
A service was September 19, 2020 at Wilks Funeral Home in Chubbuck, Idaho. She was taken to her home in Ross Fork, Idaho September 20, 2020 at 11 a.m. until time of burial at 2 p.m. September 21, 2020 at Gibson Cemetery in Gibson, Idaho.
Liana Rae Vigil (Matsaw)
Liana Rae Vigil (Matsaw) 69 years old; beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great grandmother has gone to be with our Lord on September 18, 2020.
Liana was born on October 25, 1950 in Pocatello, Idaho. She was a proud member of the Shoshone-Bannock Tribes from Fort Hall, Idaho.
She is survived by her loving Husband of 52 years Ben W. Vigil; her three loving daughters Pauline (Joe) Chavez, Cathy (Mark) Ortega, and Edna (Shane Spiekermeier) Vigil. Her six grandchildren Nicole (Edgar) Torres, Joey (Betty) Chavez, Mark (McKenzie) Ortega, Brittney (Alex) Ortega, Elise Spiekermeier, and Roland Spiekermeier. And seven great grandchildren Aubree, Camilla, and Liliana Torres; Julietta, Daniella, and Viviana Chavez; and Mark Anthony Ortega III. Her Mother Mary Edna Lopez; brothers Edwin Matsaw and Ray Lopez; sister Laurie (Bill) Hance; as well as many nieces and nephews.
She was preceded in death by her Father Edwin Frances Matsaw; brothers Darryl, David, Sammy, and Terry Matsaw; sisters Marilyn Montoya and Christina Broncho. As well as paternal and maternal grandparents.
Visitation services are on Saturday, September 26 from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. at the Trinity Church, 4490 Newland Street in Ridge, Colorado and Memorial Mass is also Saturday, September 26 at 11 a.m. at Trinity Church.
Leonard “Patrick” Wadsworth
Pat was born on November 3, 1942, in the backseat of a Buick in Fort Hall, Idaho.
He was the son of William J “Chief” Wadsworth and Louida Osborne Wadsworth.
He was their third son but the family expanded greatly.
He attended, and graduated from Murray High School in 1961.
He met his first love, Jean Kizerian when he was just 18 Years old. They had three children by 1973, but were later divorced.
He was taught by his first father in law, Dave Kizerian to fish, and did it the rest of his life.
He also loved to hunt, however one of his favorite past times was when the kids were little they would go camping in Southern Utah and hunt for arrowheads.
He also was quite the artist, interested mostly in oils and charcoal.
Later in life he met and married Susan Zaragoza, but they also divorced.
He was a member of the Iron Workers Union, and loved to tell people he was a gypsy. He and Susan certainly lived the gypsy life because they travelled and lived in his trailer for many years.
Later in life he enjoyed his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. He loved visiting them, going camping, fishing and boating in the Wyoming mountains.
He would also have his children join him at his home in Fort Hall for the Shoshone-Bannock Indian Festival, and it is memorable.
But one of his most loved characters was when he played Fort Halls’ Santa.
He passed away Sept 18, 2020 in an ironic fashion, in his truck, with his beloved dog “Wally” who also passed.
He is preceded in death by his parents, three brothers, Lawerence D, William “Bud,” and Lester Lee. Great Grandchild Genoveva Jean Gonzalez, and his first wife Jean.
He is Survived by his children, Paul (Utah), Sherene (Matt) Barber, and Kathy (Nyle) Boyce Utah, 5 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren; siblings Jesse James (Bev) Gibson; Sharon Begay Utah; Danny (Shirley) Fort Hall; Caddo, Blackfoot; Bonnie W W, Blackfoot; Mary (Clarence) Teton, Lincoln Creek; Steven (Colleen), Gibson; Timothy (Rachael), Fort Hall; and Tammy (Kash) Evans, Blackfoot.
Guests visited the residence at 13 S 600 W. in Blackfoot to visit with family and friends from Saturday, September 19, 2020 at 11 a.m. until Monday at 10 a.m. where he was transported to Hawker Funeral Home for the service at 11 a.m., Monday, September 21, 2020. Dinner followed the service at said residence.
Condolences may be sent to the family at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com.
Willis Appenay
Willis Appenay, 67, passed away Thursday, September 10, 2020 at his home in Blackfoot.
Willis was born March 31, 1953 in Pocatello, Idaho to Calvin Appenay and Madzine Holbrook Appenay.
Willis grew up in Blackfoot attended the Blackfoot school district. He graduated from Chemawa. After graduation, he enlisted in the U.S. Army.
He married Ruth Ann George on February 15, 2003 in Fort Hall.
Willis loved being outdoors, hunting, salmon fishing, watching Indian relay races and spending time with his family. He was a metalwork crafter. He was a member of the Native American Church.
Willis is survived by his daughter Doreen Appenay and stepson Darren Evening, both of Blackfoot; brothers, Adolph, Casper, and Walton Appanay and Ronald Brough; and sisters, Bernita, Brenda, Wanda and Zelda Appenay; and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, grandchildren and great grandkids.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Avery Calvin and Madzine H. Appenay; his wife Ruth Ann; sister, Zeta Appenay Poncho; brother Ivan Appenay, Uncle Alvin Appenay; Aunties Esther, Flora, Rosietta and Ivy; and grandfather John Harvey.
Willis was taken to his residence on Nagisty Road on Saturday, September 12, 2020 at 10 a.m. Traditional burial took place at 2 p.m. Sunday, September 13, 2020 at Ross Fork Cemetery.
The family is under the care of the Hawker Funeral Home.
Ianne George
Ianne George, 37, of Fort Hall, passed away, Wednesday, September 9, 2020 in Blackfoot, Idaho. Ianne was born May 25, 1983 in Blackfoot to Hilda G Eldridge.
Ianne grew up on the Fort Hall Indian Reservation and attended school in the Blackfoot School District.
Ianne was a member of the Native American Church. She enjoyed beadwork, cooking with her children, hunting, fishing, riding horses, traveling, and spending time with her mother, Hilda.
Ianne is survived by her children, Kiel T. Sabori, Keeley Fisher, Kayin Fred, Cory George, Jahzlyn Metz, and Caide George; siblings, Eric R. Tohtsoni, and J.C. Gruber; and three grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her mother, Hilda; son, Chad Buckskin; daughter, Rianne Cerino; brother, Bert L. Tohtsoni; and sister, Holly Gruber Murillo.
Ianne was taken to her residence at 10 a.m. Thursday, September 10, 2020 at 687 Moccasin Rd. in Fort Hall where she remained until traditional burial services at 2 p.m. Thursday at the Gibson Cemetery.
Family is under the care of Hawker Funeral Home. Condolences may be shared at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com.
Edith Uribe
Edith Uribe, 88, of Fort Hall, passed away, Monday, September 14, 2020 at her home.
Edith was born December 4, 1931 in Fort Hall, Idaho to Mission Tinno George and Sadie Quagigant George.
Edith grew up in Fort Hall and attended boarding school at the Stewart Indian School in Carson City, NV. She worked in Carson City, NV and Lake Tahoe, CA before moving back to Fort Hall.
Edith married Sam J. Uribe in Reno, NV in 1958.
In her early years Edith worked on the farm and cleaned houses. She worked as a nurse and interpreter for her people at the Indian Health Service before retiring.
She was a member of the Fort Hall Assembly of God. She enjoyed crocheting, traveling, shopping, going to the fair and festivals, spending time with family, and caring for numerous family members as they grew up.
Edith is survived by her husband, Sam of Fort Hall; children, Ernestine Ellsworth, Leland Miller, Mervin Uribe, Reynelda Uribe, and Marlan Uribe; and many grandchildren, great grandchildren, and great great grandchildren.
She was preceded in death by her parents; daughter, Daliah Teton; nine siblings; and nephew who was like a brother, Adrian Broncho.
A funeral service was at 1 p.m. Wednesday, September 16, 2020 at Hawker Funeral Home. Traditional burial services were at 1 p.m. Thursday, September 17, 2020 at the Gibson Cemetery.
Due to the recent health concerns, those who would like to participate in the service from home are invited to view the service on a live broadcast at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com/page/broadcasting
Condolences may be shared at www.hawkerfuneralhome.com.
