Lena 'Maggie' Buffalo-Vanhorn

Lena M. (Maggie) Buffalo Vanhorn passed away on June 6, 2021 at Freeman Hospital, Joplin, MO. Lena was born to Arthur and Pauline (Clarkson) Buffalo on August 17, 1952. She is survived by one son, Nathan Skye of Baxter Springs, daughter-in-law Stacy Skye of Baxter Springs, and one daughter Cindy Smith. Also surviving are grandchildren Morgan Westervelt and husband Lucas, Brendan Skye, Emerson Skye, Ty Skye, Bridger Skye, Ashton Buffalo and Great Grandson, Nixon Westervelt. Maggie was a proud member of the Quapaw Tribe of which she is an Elder. Her Indian Name is “bah she bap to-me” meaning Spring Flower Dancing which was given to her by a Taos Elder in Taos, New Mexico. She graduated from Galena (KS) High School with the class of 1970. In 2007 she retired from King Louie International after 25 years.

She was preceded in death by her oldest son, Joseph “Jo-Pat” Skye, youngest son, Alfred “Chop” Skye III, her father and mother, 4 brothers, her Grandparents Joseph Buffalo and Ollie Medicine, Mary Joseph and John Medicine, Great Grandparents Buffalo Calf and Kah-dah-skah, also 2 sisters, 3 nephews, and 2 nieces.

Also survived are her siblings: Dorothy Cantrell (Harry) of Galena, Lloyd Buffalo (LuAnn) of Quapaw, Beverly Jones of Riverton, Cheryl Williams of Miami, Pat Weaver (Mike) of Baxter Springs, and Bobbie Mitchell (Jerry) of Riverton.

Pallbearers will be the oldest daughter of each sibling: Cindy Rotert, Leslie Buffalo, Kelly Duncan, Teresa Deardorff, Lori Shafer, Michelle Newton, Andrea Mitchell, Rowena White, Jennifer Muller. Honorary Pallbearer: Sandie Bear.

Funeral services will be held at 10:00 a.m., Wednesday, June 9, 2021 at the Quapaw Long House. Pastor Geoff Buffalo will officiate. Burial will be at the Skye Family Cemetery on S 620 in Quapaw. Midnight services will be conducted by Jermey Olsen and Everett Bandy the night prior to services. She will lie in state at the Quapaw Long House Monday evening through service on Wednesday.