Laura Tahbonemah

Laura Tahbonemah, 94, passed away Thursday, August 30th, 2012 in Lawton, OK. She was born March 29th, 1918 to Frank and Annie (Sturm) Butler in Washita, OK. Laura was married to Allen D. Tahbonemah August 5, 1942 in Little Rock, Arkansas. After her husband separated from the United States Air Force after World War 2, they moved to Gotebo where they were lifetime residents and operated the family farm. She was a active member of the Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church, Mountain View, OK. Laura was a member of the Caddo Tribe where she enjoyed participating in the many activities of the tribe. She especially enjoyed the pow-wows and dancing with her many friends and family. She enjoyed researching the history of the Caddo Tribe and took several trips with the tribal historians to Texas, in fact finding the beginning and history of the move of the Caddos to Oklahoma. Laura was a charter and active member of the North American Indian Women's Association where she was active on a national level. She worked for seven years with the Caddo and Kiowa Tribes as Community Health Representative. After her husband retired in 1979, they traveled extensively through cruises and trips abroad. Italy was her favorite place to visit. She was very much a people person and enjoyed meeting people with diverse backgrounds.

Survivors include her four sons:
Allen R. Tahbonemah and wife, Tushie, Garland, TX
Brian D. Tahbonemah and wife, Grace, Mesquite, TX
Glenn David Tahbonemah and wife, Frances, Lawton, OK
Philip N. Tahbonemah and wife, Debi, Lawton, OK
eleven grandchildren
sixteen great-grandchildren

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband of 55 years, Allen D. Tahbonemah, one grandson, Robert G. Tahbonemah, three sisters and four brothers.

Funeral Services will be 10:00a.m., Tuesday, September 04, 2012 at
Rainy Mountain Kiowa Indian Baptist Church, Mountain View, OK
Burial will follow at Gotebo Cemetery
under the direction of Ray & Martha's Funeral Home, Mountain View, OK