Louise Gawhega

Louise Gawhega, resident of Ponca City, died Tuesday, November 18, 2008 at St. Francis Hospital in Tulsa. She was 70. Louise was born the daughter of Sidney PooreHorse and Jeanette Primeaux PooreHorse on February 4, 1938 in Pawnee, Oklahoma at Pawnee Indian Hospital. She was reared and educated in Marland, Oklahoma. She graduated from Marland High School and then completed Ponca City Business College. She later attended Northern Oklahoma College NOC. She married Dr. Aaron Gawhega on February 11, 1961 in Stillwater, Oklahoma at the Southern Baptist Church. To this union, five children were born. Louise held many employment positions. In her young life she worked for the Bureau of Indian Affairs, Pawnee Agency as a Realty Specialist for many years. She was also the executive secretary at Indian Health Services in Ada, Oklahoma. When she married, her employment began with Conoco until she accepted a position with the Ponca Tribe Housing Authority. She later became Director of Ponca Tribe Food Distribution until her retirement in March of 2004. After her retirement, Louise enjoyed attending tribal dances and gatherings. She also loved going to casinos. She enjoyed her family and was a very loving wife, mother and grandmother. She is survived by her husband, Aaron of the home; son, Michael N. Gawhega of Norman, Oklahoma; daughters, Raynetta M. Gawhega of Pawnee, Oklahoma, Maretta L. Cheek and husband, Kevin of San Antonio, Texas, Sidra E. Atyse and Bernard Thibodeaux, Jr. of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Myra L. Pickering and husband, Sheridan of Stillwater, Oklahoma; sister, Clara Hunter of Pawnee, Oklahoma; brothers, Tyrone PooreHorse and wife, Donna of White Eagle, Oklahoma and Dana PoorHorse and wife, Leoma of Hollywood, Florida; grandchildren, Cydney Rayne Atsye, Shiloh Bluebird and August Gawhega Pickering all of Stillwater, Oklahoma, and Ryan Cheek of San Antonio, Texas; several nieces and nephews who she enjoyed. She was preceded in death by her paternal grandparents, James PooreHorse and Ella Smith PooreHorse; maternal grandparents, David Buffalohead and Suzette DeLodge Buffalohead; parents, Sidney PooreHorse and Jeanette Primeaux PooreHorse; and brothers, William, Floyd, James, Vincent, Shawn and Garrett PooreHorse. Casket bearers will be Tyrone PooreHorse, Dana PooreHorse, Michael N. Gawhega, Bernard Thibodeaux, Jr., SSgt Kevin Cheek and Sheridan Pickering. Honorary casket bearers will be August G. Pickering and Ryan G. Cheek. Flower girls are Cydney R. Atsye, Shiloh B. Pickering and others. An evening prayer service will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday, November 20, 2008 at Grace Memorial Chapel. A funeral service will be 1:00 p.m., Friday, November 21, 2008 at the funeral home with interment following at Ponca Tribal Cemetery. Reverend Louis Headman, pastor, First Indian Church of the Nazarene, will officiate. No traditional feast will precede the service.