Vernona L. "Vernie" Lewis, 76, of Mayetta, KS passed away Sunday, December 10, 2017 after a courageous battle with cancer, at her daughter's home in Belvue, KS. She was born November 12, 1941 in Mayetta, KS the daughter of Henry and Leona (Mzhickteno) Knoxsah.


Vernie attended Haskell Institute in Lawrence. She was a homemaker, housecleaner and babysat for many families.


She was a member of Prairie Band Potawatomi Nation and Native American Church.


Vernie married Fred Mahkuk, they later divorced. She married Gerald F. Lewis on March 15, 1972 in Ogden, KS. Gerald preceded her in death on May 30, 2017. She was also preceded in death by 2 sons, Tony Mahkuk in 2004 and Robert Mahkuk on July 6, 2017 and 3 brothers, James, David and Virgil Knoxsah.


Survivors include 7 children, Anna Mahkuk (Paul) of Topeka, KS, Linda Mahkuk (Travis Egbert) of Belvue, KS, Rebecca DeVore (Paul) of Topeka, KS, Sherry Lewis of Topeka, KS, Sharlene Lopez of Topeka, KS, Terry Hernandez (Raphael) of Minco, OK and Melvin Lewis (Tiffany) of Robinson, KS; 2 sisters, Aurora Martin of Mayetta, KS and Deena Desjarlias of Mayetta, KS; 2 brothers, Martin Knoxsah of Hutchison, KS and Clifford Knoxsah of Topeka, KS and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.


Native American Services will be Friday evening, December 15, 2017 at the Native American Church on the Prairie Band Potawatomi Reservation. Burial will be Saturday morning at Mahkuk Cemetery. The family will greet friends Thursday evening from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Mercer Funeral Home in Holton.