34°

She was born Dec. 31, 1933, in Tenakee Springs to James (Kaat'aawú) and Elsie Joseph (Kaagaxwuhaa) Kasko. She was from the Killerwhale Fin House in Klukwan of the Dakl'aweidí (Killerwhale Clan), and her Tlingit names were Kaljakxw and Aawastí. She was Lukaax.adi yadi (a child of the Raven Sockeye clan) from Haines and a Kaagwaantaan dachxan (grandchild of the Bear clan from Klukwan).

She was very active in Native issues and politics. She was an administrative assistant for the Klukwan Incorporation, an active member of Central Council Tlingit and Haida Tribes of Alaska; the Alaska Native Sisterhood Camp 8; American Legion Aux. Post 12 - Haines; past officer of the Ladies Auxiliaries to The Local Aeries No.172 of The Fraternal Order of Eagles; member of the Greenwood Senior Center; past Democratic Precinct Committee Officer and a volunteer docent at the Burke Museum.

She was preceded in death by her brothers, Edwin Kasko, Otto Kasko and John Kasko; her sisters, Emma (Kasko) Didrickson and Lucy (Kasko) Jackson; her mother, Elsie J. Kasko; and her father, James Kasko.

She is survived by her husband, Brian Stewart; children, Linda (John) Wynne of Lake Stevens, Wash., Sue Marie Cook of Bellevue, Wash., Rick (Cathy) Krontz of Eastman, Ga., Steve (life partner Dr. Dru Kindred) of Ketchikan, and Deb (Ken) White of Valdez; 10 grandchildren, 6 great-grandchildren and numerous nieces, nephews and cousins. She is also survived by Keet Naa Tlaa (Killerwhale Clan Mother), Margaret Abbott.