TOPEKA – Ada Merle Vanderblomen, 63, of Topeka, KS, died Wednesday, December 17, 2008 at a Topeka care home. She was born April 20, 1945 in Holton, KS, the daughter of Levi and Marie Wishteyah Wahquahboshkuk. She attended Indian boarding schools in Oklahoma and St. Augustine in Nebraska. She was a member of the Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation.
Ada married John Vanderblomen on May 10, 1965 in Holton. They were later divorced. She is survived by a daughter, Theresa Sanchez of Topeka, KS; sons, John Vanderblomen, Jacob Vanderblomen, and Christopher Vanderblomen all of Topeka; sister, Elizabeth Vanderblomen of Topeka; brothers, Roy Wahquahboshkuk, George Wahquahboshkuk, Pete Wahquahboshkuk, and Gonzalo Wahquahboshkuk all of Mayetta, KS; 6 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren. She was preceded in death by 3 sisters and 4 brothers.
Drum services will be Saturday evening, December 20, 2008 at the Danceground Building. Burial will be Sunday, December 21, 2008 at the Danceground Cemetery. Ada will lie in state at Mercer Funeral Home in Holton until 3:00 p.m. Saturday afternoon.