Pauline Wahpepah

Pauline W. Wahpepah, age 89, of Newalla, Oklahoma, passed away Saturday, September 23, 2023 at in Shawnee, Oklahoma.

Pauline was born June 12, 1934 in Pink, Oklahoma to Tom and Flora (Gibson) White.

She was raised in the Little Axe and Harrah area.  She attended Pawnee Indian Boarding School until the 8th grade then Riverside Indian Boarding School through high school.  Pauline then attended Haskell Indian Nations University and St. Gregory’s University earning an Associate’s degree. She eventually earned her bachelor’s degree and Master’s degree in Native American Language studies from the University of Central Oklahoma. 

She moved to Los Angeles for a short time.  While in L.A. she met and married Gordon Wahpepah.  Soon after, they returned to live in the McLoud and Shawnee areas.  After Gordon’s passing, she later moved to the Little Axe area where she resided for the last 20 years.

Pauline worked at St. Gregory’s University developing curriculum for the native language program.  She also worked with Father Paul Zahler working with special needs children.  She also was the Lieutenant Governor for the Absentee Shawnee Tribe for three terms.

She was a proud member of the Absentee Shawnee Tribe.  She loved watching basketball games, Pow-Wows and other tribal functions.  Pauline loved General Hospital and Elvis Presley, who she got to meet one time while being an extra in a movie.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tom and Flora White; 2 sisters and 1 brother.

Pauline is survived by two children, Kendall Wahpepah of Oklahoma City, OK and Shelly Wahpepah of Elgin, OK; four grandchildren, Josh Wahpepah (Kadee) of Midwest City, Kristin Wahpepah of Dale, Luther Ringlero (Sarah Billy) of Lawton, and Lancer Ringlero of Lawton; and other extended family and friends. 

Tribal Rites will be Monday evening, September 25, 2023 at the Absentee Shawnee Tribe Community Center with Glenn Mann officiating. Burial will be Tuesday morning, September 26, 2023 at Gibson Family Cemetery in Norman, OK under the direction of Cooper Funeral Home of Tecumseh.