Karlene Gayle Armajo, “A nwi sa e ga,”

Karlene Gayle Armajo, “A nwi sa e ga,” formerly of Tama, passed away December 30, 2022, surrounded by her loved ones at Banner Wyoming Medical Center in Casper, Wyoming. Traditional Graveside Services were held on Wednesday, January 4, 2023, at 2:00 PM at the Meskwaki Cemetery on the Meskwaki Settlement in rural Tama with Wayne Pushetonequa as speaker. A Traditional Wake was held on the evening of January 3, 2023, at the Bear Clan Ceremonial Building on the Meskwaki Settlement.

Karlene was born on August 6, 1950, in rural Tama, Iowa, the daughter of Curtis and Josephine (Mitchell) Youngbear. She attended Sac & Fox Day School and graduated from South Tama High School. She earned a bachelor’s degree at the University of Northern Iowa and attended graduate school at Drake University. She worked as the health director for the Sac & Fox Tribe before becoming a teacher. She taught at the Sac & Fox Day School, retired from St. Stephens Indian School in Arapaho, WY, and continued working after retirement at the Ethete Early Headstart until returning to retirement.

She married Arleigh Joseph Armajo in Tama, Iowa, on August 15, 1979. They started their life together in Tama before moving to Ethete, WY, where she lived for 37 years, raised their children, and made a life alongside her husband and his family.

Karlene enjoyed spending time with her family, traveling, reading, fishing and playing solitaire.

Survivors include her husband, Arleigh Joseph Armajo of 43 years, her children: Maquikash Youngbear, of Marshalltown, Iowa; Keva Youngbear, of Ethete, Wyoming; Donald Armajo, of Ethete, Wyoming; and Dara (Jason) Jefferson, of Toledo, Iowa; grandchildren: Curtis and Suriya Youngbear, Matthew and Lyric Chingman, Jason, Deidra and Echo Armajo, and Marybelle Armajo, Ahnoong and Sitara Xaivong and Bemitaka Jefferson; great grandchildren: Avon and Everleigh Chingman, Isaac and I’shaan Frankson, Ja’taiya and Kane Armajo; sisters: Judith Bender, of Tama, Donna Wolf, of Tama, and Robin (Luke) Kapayou, of Toledo; Lynn Morgan, of Tama, and Staphne Whitebreast, of Tama; brother, Jon Youngbear, of Cedar Rapids; as well as numerous family members in Iowa and Wyoming.

Preceding her in death were her parents; her brothers: Richard, Curtis Jr., Calvin, Ellsworth Sr. and Victor Youngbear; her sisters, Wanda and Juanita Youngbear; adopted brothers Richard Poweshiek and Darrel Wanatee and great grand baby Jordan.

Kruse-Phillips Funeral Home, Tama-Toledo, is assisting the family with arrangements.